Whatever happened with the Cleveland Browns? Why are they in the pits after enjoying such a renaissance last season? Why are they closer to getting a lottery pick in the 2020 Draft rather than sealing their ticket to Super Bowl LIV?
These are the questions that now surround the team as they try to make sense of their season. They are now 2-4, and any grandiose illusions of them making a deep playoff run this year has been forced down the drain. The Dawg Pound is exasperated with the way the team has been performing as of late.
While it's fortunate that they have a bye week to sort out their on-field problems, things aren't going to get any better. The first opponent they will face in their bye week is the New England Patriots. Having to face such a tough opponent after your bye week is a horrible yet exciting prospect for Freddie Kitchens and his team.
If they manage to steal a win against Tom Brady, then they have a chance of making this year's wildcard rounds. However, they have to make huge adjustments to their game if they want to have any chances of upsetting the odds.
One of the most significant changes they have to make is in the QB position. Baker Mayfield is half the quarterback he was in his rookie season. It's good that his confidence in his abilities is still there, but the way he's been playing is far from his Rookie Of The Year form. He's thrown 11 interceptions in six games and is beginning to look like the quarterbacks that preceded him. This is not the quarterback the team drafted, and he must immediately clean his act.
The next problem lies with the defense. They are wildly inconsistent. There are times like their game against the Baltimore Ravens, where they looked unstoppable. There are instances like their blowout loss to the Tennessee Titans, where they didn't manage to do a thing. They must become more consistent if they hope to win more games.
Moreover, the team's playmakers also tend to disappear at times. While Odell Beckham Jr. has made plenty of eye-catching plays this season, he's yet to find consistency in his game. Jarvis Landry and Nick Chubb have not forced their way into mainstream consciousness over the past couple of days.
Finally, Freddie Kitchens must take the bye week to review his playbook and change it completely. It's obvious that their current game plan isn't working against NFL defenses and must be fixed quickly. There's only so much his apologies can do to appease the Dawg Pound.
This upcoming clash against the Patriots is the Browns' make-or-break match. If they don't live up to expectations, team general manager John Dorsey may have to look at the drawing board all over again.
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