The Browns Motown Letdown

On a day that so many things went right for the Cleveland Browns offensively, as many things went wrong for them defensively, as the Browns lost a heartbreaker to the Lions on the last play of the game. This weekend, the 50th anniversary of Motown was celebrated so I’ll use a little Motown inspiration for a summary of tough day for the Browns……in Motown.

It’s The Same Old Song

The Browns led for pretty much the entire first half of this game, Brady Quinn had the best game for a Browns quarterback in a couple seasons (300 yards and a 133.9 passer rating, no turnovers and three TDs), and the Browns even came from behind to take a lead late in the game. At the end though, it was The Same Old Song as the Browns found a way to snatch defeat from the hands of victory.

You Really Got a Hold On Me

On what should have been the final play of the game, Lions QB Matthew Stafford scrambled, and threw a desperation pass into the end zone. The pass fell incomplete, but the Browns Hank Poteat was called for defensive pass interference. That call gave the Lions one more shot at the end zone with no time left, and the next play was a completed TD pass to Brandon Pettigrew for the go-ahead score.

Ball of Confusion

On that fateful final toss into the end zone that fell incomplete, only to have the interference call give the Lions one more shot, the Lions Matthew Stafford was thrown hard to the ground and pulled himself out of the game. Backup quarterback Daunte Culpepper entered the game, cold and with the clock ticking. As he approached the line of scrimmage it would seem safe to assume that the Lions would be confused, thus reducing their chances for a score on the final play of the game. Instead, the Browns defense….or their coaching staff….was a Ball of Confusion, so the Browns almost inexplicably called a time out. The Lions huddled, set their play, Stafford re-entered the game, and then tossed the game-winning score.

Nowhere to Run

The Browns have had one of the worst run defenses in the NFL this season. For that reason, many believed (especially in fantasy football circles) that Lions runningback Kevin Smith woiuld have a field day against the Browns. Instead, Smith found Nowhere To Run as he was only able to log 45 yards on 12 carries. The Brown run defense did their job, but unfortunately, that only counts as a moral victory on this day.

My Whole World Ended

For so much of todays game, the Browns fans had to feel like this was a game the Browns woul;d find a way to win. The offense was moving the ball, the offense SCORED….which is newsworthy this season, and it seemed like there would be finally some good vibes in Cleveland after the Browns would get their second victory of the season. Instead, this crushing loss has the fans feeling like their Whole World Ended.

This loss stings…..and it will for quite a while. Hopefully the Browns can at least take their offensive momentum and build on that next week. SOMETHING has to go right for the Browns of 2009…..doesn’t it?

Tags: Brady Quinn, Hank Poteat, Matthew Stafford