The Browns went into the final week of the season at 7-8, battling for a Wild Card spot. All the Browns had to do to stay in the running was win the game, easy right? Wrong, the Browns fought hard and battled the entire game but fell short in the end. The Refs and Madden 20 won the game, not the Bengals…
The Bengals and Browns fought hard the entire game, exchanging leads on the scoreboard after every possession. The Bengals defense deserved some respect for keeping the Browns out of the end zone on their first two possessions, only allowing them to kick two field goals.
The Browns were determined to win the game, and were willing to do anything possible to do so. They even went as far as trying a fake punt on the 50 yard line right before half time. The Browns were unsuccessful on the fake, and their turnover on downs gave the Bengals great field position. However, the very next play quarterback Joe Burrow threw an interception and it was Cleveland’s ball again.
A few plays later Baker Mayfield connected with Odell Beckham Jr for an amazing touchdown catch right before half time giving the Browns a 13-10 lead.
The second half was just as close as the first half, until the Browns forced a fumble and returned it for a touchdown!! The score became 32-24, however the Bengals challenged the play and of course the call was reviewed, saying the player was down before the ball came out…SHOCKER!
For the 69th time this season a Browns scoring play was called back due to a review or flag on the play, unreal. So the Bengals came down the field to kick a go ahead field goal making the score 27-26, with a little over a minute left in the game. Oh no, I wonder what’s going to happen now.
Baker Mayfield lead the Browns down the field into field goal range give or take a few yards. Kicker Austin Seibert previously went 4 for 4 on field goals during the game, and lined up for a chance at a game winning kick with 1 second remaining on the clock. Of course, if you have ever played Madden 20 you know what happens next. The Bengals called a timeout to “ice” the kicker, and when the play resumed the camera angle was altered to make the kick even more challenging. As Seibert lines up for the 52 yard field goal, the power is perfect and then the accuracy meter disappears as usual during a crucial kick. And the kick is up, and it’s no good…
That’s it, that’s the Browns season right there. A guy who had a magic foot the entire game, misses one field goal that knocks the Browns out of playoff contention. I still blame the stupid overturned fumble call, these refs were out to get the Browns all year long. They didn’t want to see them be successful, and knew the Browns would shine in the playoffs. Oh well, I guess there’s always next year.
Since this is the Season Finale of Knock Hards: The Cleveland Browns Story, I would like to thank all of those who followed me through this journey, and hope you guys are just as mad and disappointed as I am. This video pretty much sums it all up.
thoughtsfromthebench.com 