#Browns Recap 12.28.15: Browns @ #Chiefs

Browns Simply Run Out Of Time
By @mrgroce

The Kansas City Chiefs started the season 1-5. They are now 10-5, won nine straight, have clinched at least a Wild Card spot and have a small chance of winning their division. The Browns are 3-12. Not much hope surrounds the franchise, not too many guys in the locker room you can define as the "future", and a coaching staff and front office that may not be around in eight days.

Two franchises going in completely different directions battled to a 17-13 final score won by the Chiefs that was actually pretty entertaining. Alex Smith's ability to run in the first half gave the Browns' defense all kinds of fits and helped them build a two touchdown lead going into halftime, while Johnny Manziel's scrambling brought the Browns back into the game.

The Browns had the ball for the final possession of the game, but simply ran out of time. Once the clock hit 00:00, Browns QB Johnny Manziel slammed his helmet in disgust in what I've determined was his best throw of the day. Johnny was an absolute beast running the ball, finishing the game with 11 carries for 108 yards. Unfortunately he ran the ball better than he threw it. Manziel completed 13 of 32 passes for 136 yards. The Browns again put themselves in the hole going into halftime trailing 17-3. Surprisingly, the defense didn't give up another point for the rest of the game and had one of their best performances of the year. Rookie Nate Orchard led the way with an interception and a sack.

Browns running back Isaiah Crowell led the team with 88 yards rushing on 16 carries. With Manziel only passing for a little over a hundred yards, tight end Gary Barnidge led all Browns receivers with 47 yards. The offense did sustain a couple of long drives, but most of that was due to Johnny keeping the chains moving with his running.

Against another top defensive unit, Manziel struggled to put points on the board. I've said it before and I will continue to say it, with the same weapons and offensive line struggles, Josh McCown averaged 23 points per game and had the Browns offense sixth in the league in scoring.
Johnny has less than below average receivers, an average offensive line, and two decent running backs. I'm not of fan of this guy, but to get a gauge on how good he truly is or is not, can not be determined this year. He should have started from day one. Now the Browns will go into another offseason trying to figure out if Manziel can be trusted with the franchise.

I understand that these guys are paid professionals, but I can admire the fact that they have not given up on the season and continue to play hard, despite the fact that the coaching staff is incompetent and most of them probably aren't even sure who's going to be active on a weekly basis. The good news for us as fans is that it all ends next week.

Next week: Final game of the season at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers who will be playing for their playoff lives.

#Browns Preview 12.27.15: Cleveland Browns @ Kansas City #Chiefs

By @mrgroce

This Sunday, the 3-11 Cleveland Browns travel to Kansas City to take on the 9-5 Chiefs. The enter the game with an eight game winning streak and have somehow trimmed the AFC West lead down to one game behind the Denver Broncos. Kansas City seems to be in good shape to continue its success against a team in the running for next year's top overall draft pick. 

The Browns are 29th averaging 18.1 points and were held to 230 yards in last Sunday's 30-13 loss at Seattle. The Browns have allowed at least 30 points in six of seven games and gave up a season-high 182 rushing yards against the Seahawks.

Johnny Manziel has put together some decent showings at quarterback, forcing the Browns to continue starting him as the season ends. They are playing for next season and trying to find out whether the quarterback will be their guy—for at least one season. Luckily, Chiefs pass-rushers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston are both questionable to play this week.

Offensively, Jeremy Maclin has caught four TD passes in as many games. Running back Charcandrick West scored on a 38-yard run last weekend and has averaged 5.0 yards per carry in two games after posting 2.7 in his previous three.

The Browns got Dwayne Bowe in free agency, and the Chiefs got Jeremy Maclin. The results for each team? Cleveland is getting 5 catches for 51 yards from Bowe, while Kansas City is getting 79 catches for 985 yards and 6 touchdowns from Maclin. It's getting harder and harder to write these things.

Enjoy the game folks!

TV Tonight 9.29

By @neveRWilliams

NFL
Monday Night Countdown (ESPN, 6 PM)
Patriots @ Chiefs (ESPN, 8:15 PM)

NHL PRESEASON
Philadelphia Flyers @ New York Rangers (NHL Network, 7 PM)
Arizona Coyotes @ Vancouver Canucks (NHL Network, 10 PM)

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WWE Raw (USA, 8 PM)
iHeartRadio Music Festival Night 1 (The CW, 8 PM)
The Voice (NBC, 8 PM)
Dancing With The Stars (ABC, 8 PM)
Gotham (FOX, 8 PM)
The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 8 & 8:30 PM)

Sleepy Hollow (FOX, 9 PM)
Scorpion (CBS, 9 PM)

The Blacklist (NBC, 10 PM)
Castle (ABC, 10 PM)
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS, 10 PM)

TV Tonight 8.17.14

NFL
Preseason: Broncos @ 49ers (NFL Network, 4 PM)
Preseason: Chiefs @ Panthers (FOX, 8 PM)

MLB
Athletics @ Braves (ESPN, 8 PM)

GOLF
Wyndham Championship, Final Round (CBS, 3-6 PM)
U.S. Amateur, Final (NBC, 4 PM)

ATP TENNIS
U.S. Open Series, Western & Southern Open, Men's Final (ESPN 2, 4 PM)

LLWS
Mexico vs. Japan (ESPN, 5 PM)
Philadelphia, PA vs. Pearland, TX (ESPN 2, 7 PM)

OTHER SPORTS
MotoGP Racing: Moto2: Czech Grand Prix (FOX Sports 1, 4 PM)
BEACH VOLLEYBALL: AVP Manhattan Beach Open (CBS SportNet, 4 PM)
WNBA: Indiana Fever @ New York Liberty (NBA TV, 6 PM)
WNBA: Phoenix Mercury @ Seattle Storm (NBA TV, 9 PM)
NHRA RACING: Lucas Oil Nationals (ESPN 2, 9 PM)

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Breaking Bad, Binge Marathon (AMC, 5 PM)

American Ninja Warrior (NBC, 7 PM)

Wipeout (ABC, 8 PM)
Big Brother (CBS, 8 PM)

True Blood (HBO, 9 PM)
Ray Donovan (Showtime, 9 PM)
VMA Special: Dave Skylark with Nicki Minaj, Iggy Azalea & Jason Derulo (MTV, 9 PM)
America's Got Talent (NBC, 9 PM)
Rising Star (ABC, 9 PM)
Unforgettable (CBS, 9 PM)
The Last Ship (TNT, 9 PM)
The Great Food Truck Race (Food Network, 9 PM)

The Strain (FX, 10 PM)
The Leftovers (HBO, 10 PM)
Masters of Sex (Showtime, 10 PM)
Reckless (CBS, 10 PM)
Falling Skies (TNT, 10 PM)

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO, 11 PM)