CLEVELAND — It wasn't supposed to go this way. Not this afternoon, and certainly not this season, but here we are.
We know the drill, but not this year. No, this was going to be different. These Browns were going to win at home, be very competitive, win more than they lose on the road, and we were off on our way to winning the division and into the postseason.
Well, a not-so-funny thing has happened: The Browns have gotten off to a miserable start, and it really began on opening day when they lost to Tennessee. Add it all up, they're 2-4, and they're 0-3 at home.
What happened on this Sunday afternoon against Seattle has happened too many times in the other five games. The Browns beat themselves, and it happened today after they exploded in the first quarter with a missed extra point being the only bump in the road.
Then, a stream of mistakes: Yes, a blocked punt, interceptions (including a bad one at the end of the first half), and tons of penalties that just keep racking up. They're the most-penalized team in the NFL. Not a category you want to lead in.
When all of that happens against a really good team like Seattle, you get beat, and the Browns now have a week off to kind of put it all together again. Maybe starting from scratch is what needs to be done.
On defense, they've had injuries; on offense, they have a lot of exciting players but have no form. In other words, they just come out and whip it around. If they catch it, fine. They're all looking for big plays, and that's fine, but there haven't been many of those.
What has been aplenty are interceptions, and the young quarterback Baker Mayfield is throwing them at an alarming rate. Remember how we all kind of guffawed about DeShone Kizer and all his picks? Well in his second year, Baker's getting up there, too.
So, a week off, and then the New England Patriots in Foxboro. Wow...tough assignment, but a long time to think about it.
BUD SHAW'S SPORTS SPIN: The Browns remain their own worst enemy