In Kevin Stefanski’s fifth year as the sideline general, the Browns have had a decidedly rough season. To determine how much of the blame for the disappointment rides on his steed, we’ll take a brief view of Sunday’s tilt vs. the Bengals as a snapshot.

Jerome Ford took the opening kickoff from near the goal line and brought it out to the 23. He then took a handoff on the first play from scrimmage 66 yards to Cincinnati’s 11.

The following series resulted in the Browns managing a first down with goal-to-go from inside the 1. D’Onta Foreman coughed it up on that play, inches from the endzone, and the Bengals recovered the fumble.

Who is responsible for that? Is it bad coaching? Is it poor situational awareness? Is it bad luck? It’s certainly unfortunate.

Cincinnati owned the next 27 minutes and found their painted logo twice with an offense that’s been prolific all year. The Bengals’ defense has been their weak spot, being ranked in the bottom of the league in numerous metrics for the majority of 2024.

So the Browns stacked points on ’em, right? No sir.

But there was some good passing, wasn’t there? Passing a kidney stone would’ve been less painful than watching Cleveland try to throw the ball.

But they ran well, didn’t they? Anyone who ran for an exit had more to celebrate than the players did on the field.

Were they still in the game at the half? They would’ve been.

Then this happened: Part 4.

—@PoisonPill4