Browns sloppy overall, had only a single first down in the first half – Terry Pluto’s Halftime Scribbles
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Scribbles in my notebook as the Bears lead the Browns 14-0 at halftime:
1. The Browns were sloppy and clunky as they were flagged for five pre-snap penalties in the first half. That had nothing to do with the game-time temperature of 8 degrees. It was a lack of preparation and attention.
2. Shedeur Sanders was 4 for 10 passing for 54 yards. His big play was a beautiful 42-yard downfield pass to Isaiah Bond. That play was Cleveland’s only first down in the first half.
3. Quinshon Judkins ran it four times for 9 yards.
4. Here is the Browns’ starting offensive line: LT – Cam Robinson LG – Joel Bitonio C – Luke Wypler RG – Teven Jenkins RT – KT Leveston. Bitonio is the only starter from opening day.
5. Special Teams! The Browns kicked off to start the game. Chicago’s Devin Duvernay ran it back 52 yards. The Browns are one of the worst teams in terms of kickoff coverage.
6. The Browns were pinned to their own 1-yard line after Chicago punted. The Browns lined up and a flag flew. Harold Fannin Jr. was penalized for a false start. A play later, the Browns were flagged for having 12 players in the huddle.
7. You see two penalties like that and you wonder, “Did they practice? What are they doing?”
10. In that category, the Bears scored a TD on a six-play, 42-yard drive. Then the Bears kicked off. The Browns offense took the field. It seemed like Sanders had problems hearing the play call. He walked toward Coach Kevin Stefanski. He then ran back on the field – and the Browns were flagged for delay of game.
11. The Browns switched the wrist band with the plays that Sanders was wearing. Not sure if that was the problem on the delay of game. But all of this reeks of disorganization.
12. Late in the first half, the Browns got the ball. On the first play, Gage Larvadain was flagged for a false start. That was their fifth pre-snap penalty of the first half.
13. The Bears opened up a 14-0 lead in the first half. The Browns defense looked helpless early.
