National Football League

The winless Browns made the most desperate 4th-down call of the season

Published Dec. 14, 2016 8:38 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

Nick Schwartz

It took the San Diego Chargers less than nine minutes to put 13 points on the board in snowy Cleveland Saturday, leading the 0-12 Browns to throw caution to the wind in the first quarter in an insanely bold attempt to get back into the game.

After Mike Nugent's extra-point attempt was blocked by the Browns, Robert Griffin III and the Browns offense took over at their own 12 yard line and managed nine yards over their next three plays. Duke Johnson Jr. was stuffed on third down, leaving the Browns with a 4th-and-1 on their own 21.

Facing such a situation, backed up in your own territory and already 13 points down, most coaches would choose to punt the ball 100 times out of 100. Should you fail to convert, you're giving up a guaranteed minimum of three points, and more than likely seven. Hue Jackson, however, rolled the dice.

Griffin kept the ball and barely gained a yard, giving the Browns a vital first down to avert total disaster. Unfortunately for the Browns, the drive would stall out at their own 24, and they went scoreless in the opening quarter.

Griffin, at least, showed occasional flashes of the dynamic player he was.

[Update]: It's clear the Browns are in full YOLO mode for the rest of the year. They attempted a flea-flicker out of their own endzone into triple coverage, and the pass was picked off.

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League