I'm honestly not sure how you can say this one isn't largely on the refs when a pivotal call that would have ended the game was badly overturned. Two, if you want to count the fumble that was called back.
Stating the number of close losses last year sounds a lot like pointing out moral victories to me, but to each their own. All of the Browns' games this year have been decided by less than a touchdown. Guess what? They've still managed to win exactly one of those games, tying once (almost twice) and losing two.
But hey, you're right. I feel so much better losing close games this year with more talent as opposed to losing close games last year with less talent.
A loss is a loss, whether your QB throws for 400 yards or manages to turn it over 4 times. And it fucking sucks.
If you're alright with tying games and losing close ones, more power to you. The vast majority of fans in this city deserve better.