The Browns, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski, aren't shying away from their 1-5 record.
"We know where we are. We understand that. Can't hide from that, but we're not going to look in that rearview mirror," Stefanski said on Monday. "But not going to look in that rearview mirror. Just focused on moving forward, focused on a big one at home this week."
As the Browns look ahead to their first division game of the season – along with the first of three home games – here are the top news and notes from Stefanski's time with the media on Monday.
Offensive second half success is "not enough"
The Browns dropped their fourth straight game on Sunday, falling 20-16 to the Eagles. Offensively, the Browns failed to gain over 300 yards for the sixth time this season. By halftime, they had just 71 yards of offense.
After their slow first half, the Browns offense picked up in the pace, gaining 173 yards in the second half. QB Deshaun Watson went 11 of 12 passing for 117 yards and the Browns ran for an additional 56 yards.
"We had some good moments," Stefanski said. "Obviously not enough, we didn't score enough points. But there's some things that I feel like the guys took from the practice field to the game field and then they're constantly trying to build off of those types of things as you move forward."
However, after two false start penalties pushed the Browns from the Philadelphia 3-yard line to the 13, they had to settle for a field goal instead of a game-tying touchdown on what became their final drive of the game.
The Browns finished with seven penalties, all on the offense, for a loss of 55 total yards.
"There's moment that we really hurt ourselves in some critical third downs yesterday, and that causes you to settle for field goals or cause you to have to punt," Stefanski said. "So, the focus for us will be to get better, and certainly always try to look at things that we can do better."
Check out the best photos from the Browns game against the Eagles Sunday by the Browns photo team
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Offensive tackle Michael Dunn (68) and Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Offensive tackle Michael Dunn (68) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29), Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31), Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12), Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25), Linebacker Winston Reid (59), Cornerback Tony Brown II (38) and Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51), Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) and the defense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Offensive tackle Michael Dunn (68) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles on October 13, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Browns lost 16-20.
Sights set on improving
When asked about the performance of Watson, Stefanski expressed his confidence in the seven-year veteran.
"I think it's just important that we continue to do everything we can to play good, sound football," Stefanski said on Monday. "I think there were moments of that, obviously, yesterday. I think Deshaun gives us the best chance to win, continues to give us the best chance to win and we need to play really good offensive football at his position, and really at every position, to be successful on Sunday."
Stefanski said that it was on the coaching staff to put players in the best position possible to showcase what they are best at, saying it was a part of the conversations he had with his staff Monday morning.
One area in which Stefanski thinks the team can improve is technique, saying that the Browns are focused on the things they can control.
"It always comes back to, when you're thinking tangibly, at least for me, to technique," Stefanski said. "And it's footwork. It's hand placement, all those things. So, for us, our ability to get better with our technique as the season goes on it really, really important."
Injury updates
Stefanski said that he did not have many updates regarding players dealing with injuries, but said that RB Jerome Ford, who left in the first quarter of the Eagles game, was "week to week" with a hamstring injury. He added that S Grant Delpit, who was out against the Eagles with a concussion, was still in concussion protocol.
C Nick Harris was carted off the field during the Browns' first drive of the game, and Stefanski revealed after the game that the center had a fractured fibula that will require surgery.
The Browns acquired Harris via trade with the Seahawks during training camp, marking his return to Cleveland after spending the first three seasons of his career as a Brown.
"He's really disappointed," Stefanski said after the game. "He's a competitor. He loves this game and he's been very unlucky, unfortunate with injuries. And, I just feel bad for him, but hard to lose him early."
On the plane ride back to Cleveland, Harris sat next to RB D'Onta ForemanForeman, who said he shared his experience with Harris about a season-ending injury. Foreman tore his Achilles during his rookie season and missed most of his second NFL season due to the injury.
"I was able to talk to him and just, give my two cents on what I've been through," Foreman said. "And just letting him know that man, it's going to be okay. I'm praying for you. I'm here for you and just try to come back even better and even stronger."
Harris had been serving as the Browns' starting center while C Ethan Pocic works back from a knee injury. Michael Dunn, who started the game at right guard, stepped in at center in place of Harris.
"That's just part of the life in the NFL and certainly part of being a backup offensive lineman," Stefanski said of Dunn's ability to step up. "Sometimes you're the first guard in, or the first tackle in, or the second center, those types of things. Just understanding what your role is and where you may have to fill in."
