CLEVELAND — The fantastic ride that was the Cleveland Browns 2020 season has finally come to an end.
On Sunday, the Browns fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Playoff by the final of 22-17. In a game that was a microcosm of the season, the Browns fell behind early, but battled back and gave themselves an opportunity at the end.
Jay Crawford joined me on Monday morning for the season finale of After Further Review. We took a close look at the loss to the Chiefs, including the controversial play before halftime that saw Rashard Higgins take a hit to the head and lose the football out of the end zone for a touchback. As Jay put it, your mind instantly goes into replay mode; the "What if?" game is in full effect: What if Rashard Higgins doesn’t fumble on his way to the pylon? What if the NFL officials did their job and correctly flag the Chiefs for targeting? What if the NFL doesn’t have one of the dumbest rules in all of sports in effect ruling a fumble into the end zone that goes out of bounds is a turnover?
We also examined the second half of the game that saw the Browns reestablish their running game, but mismanage their timeouts. And somehow, the defense allowed Chad Henne to run for 13 yards on 3rd and 14 to give Kansas City an opportunity to get a first down and run out the clock. A gut-punching way for the season to end.
Finally, Jay and I took a close look at the Browns as we head into the offseason. What are some of the key personnel decisions to the team will have to make in free agency and the draft? Is Odell Beckham Jr. part of the future? Can the Browns sustain this success for the forseeable future?
Watch After Further Review in the player below:
You can read Jay's column on the Browns here.
More Browns coverage:
- Examining the Cleveland Browns' 2021 free agents
- Cheering Cleveland Browns fans welcome team home to show thanks for the season despite loss to Kansas City Chiefs
- 'We'll be back': Players, fans, celebrities react to Cleveland Browns' playoff loss
- JIMMY'S TAKE: Even after 'frustrating' end to great season, 'the Cleveland Browns' winning culture is here'