Believe it: Browns prove they belong
CLEVELAND — Nervously sitting in front of aTVwhilesecludedin hisbasement athome, coachKevinStefanskiwatchedhis Browns’ shocking playoff win— the team’s first in 26 years — like one of the team’s many long- suffering, faithful fans. Fromthe sideline to the sofa.
His phone turned off, Stefanski, who was isolated fromhis team andfamily after contractingCOVID- 19 lastweek, felt helpless, torn as he paced.
“I don’t planondoing that again,” hesaid. Stefanski expects he won’t have to, and the Browns won’t have to wait another generation between postseason appearances.
TheBrowns’ strange2020season, which outkicked being bizarre a while back and has rolled into a new year, continues. They’re one of four teams left in the AFC with a matchup set for Sunday against the reigning SuperBowl champion Chiefs.
Given little chance without their coach, several key players and unable to practice much last week, the Browns pulled off a stunning, 48- 37 wild- cardroadwinagainst the Steelers that exorcised years of failure and painful frustration against their rivals. Perhaps it kicked off a new era for a franchise thatmeansmore toits city thanmany in the NFL.
WhentheBrowns arrivedback in Cleveland at around 3 a. m. Monday, their plane was welcomed at the airport by barking, chanting fans.
Another drought over.
“Wehave tokeepit going,” saidStefanski, who anticipates returning to the team’s facility onThursday.
Naturally, theBrownsmissedhavingtheir rookie coach while playing their first playoff game since the 2002 season. Stefanski’s steadiness has been instrumental in keeping his players on task and focused during the pandemic.
They’ve bought in to Stefanski’s teamabove- all message, which isn’t unique. But it’s one that has been re- enforced during a season when injuries have forced the Browns to count on playerswhobegan the year buriedonthedepthchart orelsewhere.
The Browns offensive line depth is so decimated by injuries — and Pro Bowler Joel Bitonio being out with COVID- 19 — that during the nerve- racking fourth quarter as theSteelers rallied, the left guardwas BlakeHance. He spent 16weeksontheJets practice squad before the Browns signed him in an emergency lastweek.
QuarterbackBakerMayfield introduced himself toHance in the locker roombefore the game.
Stefanski hopes to do the same soon.
“I am looking forward to it,” Stefanski said.
He’s also eager to get back to coaching his team after a stomach- churning night as a fan.
However, before he watches his next game, Stefanski mightwant to brush up on his remote skills.
He admitted that at the moment when the Browns jumped to a quick lead — and began a turnover avalanche with safety Karl Joseph’s TD fumble recovery in the end zone after the Steelers’ first snap from center sailed over quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s head — Stefanski was seeing something different.
No, notNetflix.
“I guess thatmy feed forwhatever reason — Imusthave hitpauseorsomething— was about 45 seconds behind,” he confessed. “I heardmy kids going crazy upstairs so I had an inkling something good was going to happen.”
Something good is happening in Cleveland.
What’s working: Just about everything went right as the Browns ended their 17- game losing streak in Pittsburgh. The Browns defense forced five turnovers, including three in the first quarter, while building a 21- 0 lead. Also, taking over Stefanski’s play- calling duties, offensive coordinator AlexVanPelt kept theSteelers off- balance with a mixture of formations. The Brownswere expected to run the ball more, and even with the big lead, Van Pelt keptMayfield firing.
What needshelp: Without top cornerback Denzel Ward and part- time starting CB Kevin Johnson, both out with COVID- 19, the Browns secondary got torched for 501 yards and four touchdowns by Roethlisberger. He took advantage of the Browns’ decision toplay softer coverage while nursing their lead. PatrickMahomes could be licking his lips.
What’s next: A first playoff meeting between the Browns well- rested, top- seeded and heavily favored Chiefs. TheBrowns will likelyspendanotherweek hearing they can’twin.