CLEVELAND — You can laud the effort all you want. This one still hurts.
The Browns' 16-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday may have not been a death blow to their season, but it makes the road back to the playoffs all the more difficult. Cleveland did about as well as it could considering 18 players and the head coach coach were out with COVID-19, but the team still had multiple chances to win the game and could not get it done.
BROWNS vs. RAIDERS: 3 plays that defined the game
As the dust settles on the devastating defeat, 3News' Stephanie Haney welcomed sports reporter Ben Axelrod to her "3 Things About the Browns" podcast Tuesday to discuss the latest issues surrounding the club. Here's a rundown of what they talked about:
Attrition
Eight of the players on the reserve/COVID-19 list were starters, and their absence was felt throughout the night. Ben talks about how that affected the Browns against Vegas, and how the potential return of those guys could help the rest of the way.
Crucial 3rd down
On third-and-3 with just over two minutes left in the game, the Browns had a chance to get a first down and run out the clock, but a rushing play by Nick Chubb was stuffed to force a punt. Steph asks Ben if it was the right call in that situation, or if they should've tried to pass.
Kicking woes
Chase McLaughlin missed a field goal at the end of the first half, and it proved to be the difference in the score. It's his sixth missed kick in his last 11 attempts, and some are wondering if it's time for the Browns to make a change at the position.
Playoff chances
Despite falling to 7-7, the Browns are still very much alive in the postseason race, especially when it comes to the AFC North. Ben breaks down their odds and what likely has to happen over the next three weeks for them to make it.