Deshaun Watson and Browns are eliminated from the playoff chase
CLEVELAND (AP) — On a freezing day for football, the Browns’ most jarring chill came at the end.
Deshaun Watson, the quarterback, was unable to make the big play in clutch. He was sacked after his second home game, which may have been a fitting end to a Cleveland season that had been stalled from the beginning.
Watson threw three incompletions in the final minute — tight end David Njoku dropped a possible tying TD with 30 seconds left — before being thrown for a loss on Cleveland’s last play as the Browns lost 17-10 Saturday: New Orleans Saints
The Saints’ running game was stopped by the Browns (6-9), who took a 10-0 lead. The Browns were then eliminated from the playoffs. A New Orleans team won the outdoor game on its seventh attempt.
Cleveland’s postseason prospects were not in the cards before the coldest regular-season match in franchise history.
These are no longer possible.
“Very disappointing” said star defensive end Myles Garrett. “It’s not where we want to be. It’s not where we expected to be at the beginning of the season.”
Watson tried 31 passes in a day when standing up in gusting wind was impossible. He dropped to 2-2 following an 11-game suspension due to sexual misconduct allegations.
He and Cleveland didn’t expect it when they signed the quarterback to a $230 million guaranteed contract in March. Despite a talented roster, things haven’t gone according to plan for the Browns.
“It’s a momentum game,” said safety John Johnson III. “We didn’t complement each other well enough this season, and it shows you what happens at the end of it.”
Watson’s 12-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, and Cade York’s 30-yard field goal made the Browns lead 10-0. However, the Saints were 0-6 from outside the Superdome. Wil Lutz made a 23 yard field goal on the last play of halftime. Cleveland won the second half 14-0.
The Browns still had the chance to win and Watson drove them to New Orleans’ 15,-yard line in 43 seconds.
Watson’s throw to Watson in the back left corner was intercepted by wide receiver Donovan Peoples Jones. He had extended while trying to bring it in and was on his tiptoes.
Watson made a pass to Njoku over the middle. However, Watson couldn’t control it and the ball bounced off his shoulder just shy of the goal line. Njoku had earlier made a spectacular, one-handed TD grab at the same end zone.
Njoku did not blame the elements.
“I dropped that ball” he said. “I feel like I let the team down myself, personally. I’ve got to own up to that and I am. That’s what happened. We’ve got to get better. Myself, I’ve got to get better.”
Watson thanked Njoku for his gesture.
“He came by the locker. It was just a missed opportunity, but stuff like that happens,” Watson said. Watson said, “Next time we will capitalize on it. Dave and all he brings to the team and the organization are respected.
“This just goes to show how much he cares about it.” We will just continue to grow from it and learn from these missed opportunities to take advantage of it.”
In coach Kevin Stefanski’s third year, the Browns will finish with a losing record. Although Watson’s suspension seems to have saved his job, there will always be changes for a struggling team.
Watson stated that it is crucial for the Browns’ to win in their upcoming games against Washington, Pittsburgh and other teams.
“We have to give everything that we have,” he said. “We can’t just go out there and lollygag. These are two opportunities not only for us individually but for the team and for the organization as a whole to try to get a boost next year.
“We have to go in like we have something to prove.”
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