The Cleveland Browns were hanging tough with the Detroit Lions and had a chance to tie the game up before the half, if not for an awful playcall by Hue Jackson. The head coach called for a quarterback sneak with DeShone Kizer from the two-yard line with 15 seconds on the clock and no timeouts remaining.
Not surprisingly, Kizer was stuffed, because who the heck calls a sneak from two yards out? Especially from under center like that. Afterwards, Kizer had a tough time getting out of the pile — Lions defenders “helped” there — and the Lions were unable to spike the ball for one final attempt at a score.
Now, one could argue that Detroit should have been called for defensive delay of game. But honestly, that’s not the real story. The real story was Jackson’s terrible call, which was roundly ripped on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/stoolpresidente/status/929794233640382469
The @Browns mismanagement of the clock at the end of the 1st half is inexcusable. You have to come away with at least 3 points at the end of that drive. Poor situational awareness..
— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) November 12, 2017
It does seem as if Kizer switched to the sneak, as @_PeteSmith_ and others have noted. Not sure that helps Hue's case much, letting a greenhorn rookie (mis)manage the situation like that.
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) November 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/Cianaf/status/929795789349707778
If you are going to call the QB sneak at least have him take the snap like its a pass and delay the run or let him get outside. #Browns
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) November 12, 2017
Looked like a delay penalty by Detroit, but regardless, what an atrocious play-call. Poor clock management might be Hue Jackson's lasting legacy as a HC. Inexcusable.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 12, 2017
.@Browns – hey social team. This isn't in your job description, but make sure the front office knows the coach called a QB sneak from the 3yd line with no time outs and 12 seconds left. Thx.
— Jeff D. Lowe (@JeffDLowe) November 12, 2017
I don't even know how to describe how stupid the Browns' last play call before halftime was. If you didn't see it you'll just need to find the video because I'm not smart enough to properly sum up that level of stupidity.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) November 12, 2017
Unless Hue Jackson just wants to get fired as soon as possible so he can get the hell out of Cleveland. In which case, smart play call. https://t.co/TBPa2HXuFU
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) November 12, 2017
Wow. Dumbest 30 seconds of clock management I've ever seen by Hue Jackson there at the end of the half.
— robertklemko (@RobertKlemko) November 12, 2017
Yeah, it was bad. And Jackson continues to look like he’s a goner, regardless of what Cleveland’s brass keep saying.