It’s Fair To Question Stefanski’s Situational Football Decisions
Oct 15, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks up from his play sheet against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
With the game on the line and the best defense in the league in their pocket, Kevin Stefanski and the Browns had every reason to play it safe on 3rd and 4 with 2:04 left and a 3 point lead.
Stefanski chose another route.
Jamal Adams deflects the ball off his helmet to set up the interception 🤯
The Seahawks have a chance 🍿pic.twitter.com/AmHPos8vBI
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 29, 2023
As PJ Walker’s pass ricocheted off a helmet and catapulted through the air, every Browns fan knew what was coming. Not just on that play, but the ensuing drive as well. Jaxon Smith Njigba’s touchdown eliminated what should’ve been a big time win highlighted by a particularly impressive coaching job. Yet again, during the Stefanski era, the Browns will have to sit and lament another blown opportunity filled questions and regret.
Fans from both sides come out strong in moments like this. There are those who will pull out their pitchforks, join the angry mob, and go after the monster. Then there are those who will make you feel like you’re monster if you dare question the head coach given the circumstances.
I’m here to tell you it is beyond reasonable to be frustrated. Don’t take to social media and rip off a bunch of curse words at a stranger, but be comforted by the reality that your disappointment and feeling towards the Browns head coach is valid.
Quarterback issues aside, these are the moments that continuously escape this team. Even in recent wins there hasn’t been a lot of good to lean on in terms of situational football. It would be nice to reflect back and feel good about past moments in the light of Sundays disappointment, but it’s just not an option. The team owes the Niners win to a missed field goal and the Colts win to a very favorable blown call. They could easily be 3-5 with a head coach on a red hot seat. At 5-3, one could argue the heat should be there anyways.
As the coach and quarterback and their questionable ability to coexist offensively continues to be shrouded by the secrecy hovering over Watson’s injury, it’s hard not to question the potential of this team after a loss like this. Their ceiling should be quite high given the talent and coaching in the building. But until they can find a way to succeed in moments like today it will continue to be difficult to count on the Cleveland Browns.
The argument will be made that the team wouldn’t have even been in that position without Stefanski’s coaching performance with a backup quarterback. There’s truth to that. But the NFL is not a 90% of the time league. They don’t give out trophies for almost doing a good enough job.
Had the team punted and given up a long drive that either resulted in a touchdown or a field goal that ultimately led to an overtime loss, no won would have an issue. In fact, praise would be raining down for the job the head coach did. But it doesn’t matter how great you perform if you make a crucial blunder that cost you the game. Most people don’t remember that Pete Carroll did a heck of a job coaching in the Super Bowl before Russell Wilson threw that interception.
No game is decided by a singular play, but it would be insane to not elevate the importance of situational football. Mistakes in the games most important moments can absolutely cost a team a game. That’s exactly what happened on Sunday and despite all he’s done well, Stefanski deserves heat for that.
Up Next