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NFL Analyst Reveals How Unavailability of Coaches Will Hurt Cleveland Browns in the Playoffs

Published 01/10/2021, 11:33 AM EST

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The Cleveland Browns were able to make history this season. Despite losing their star player in Odell Beckham Jr, the Browns were able to secure an 11-5 record and a spot in the Playoffs.

Their game will be their first playoff game since 2002. However, the Browns have been severely crippled by a COVID-19 outbreak within the coaching staff ahead of their highly anticipated clash.

NFL Analyst Cris Collinsworth spoke about the Browns‘ playoff fixture against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He believes that the Browns do have time to adjust.

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He cited their game against the Jets, where the Browns lost many players to another outbreak, but the Browns were able to adjust in order to make the game.

He said, “I know absolutely nothing… I don’t think it will be a huge deal, because there’s time to adjust. When they played the Jets earlier this year and 24 hours before the game they don’t have any of their wide receivers available. That’s a tough gig, that’s hard.” 

Cleveland Browns coaching staff members out for the Playoffs

Collinsworth added that the stalwarts in the coaching staff, such as Head Coach Kevin Stefanski, will be present. He noted that the important members of the coaching staff are available.

But also, in Collinsworth’s opinion, the person calling the plays doesn’t make a difference, and the real decisions are made by Baker Mayfield during the game.

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“But Kevin Stefanski is going to be in with Mike Priefer and the whole coaching staff – Alex van Pelt, who will end up calling the plays.

USA Today via Reuters

“They’ll build a plan and who actually calls those plays doesn’t make that much of a difference. Plus, for the most part, it’s Baker (Mayfield) once he gets a line of scrimmage”

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Will the outbreak truly affect Cleveland Browns’ chances against the Steelers? The Browns will be hoping to make the most of their first playoff run since 2002.

However, the Steelers do have quality and championship pedigree and will make things difficult for the Browns.

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Written by:

Aaditya Krishnamurthy

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Aaditya Krishnamurthy is an NBA & NFL journalist for EssentiallySports, before which he worked at BusinessWorld magazine. He has been a fan of Basketball for over 10 years now, since Shaquille O’Neal was a Phoenix Suns player. During his time at Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts, he started a sports magazine for the college called the Overtime Tribune and hosted the Overtime Tribune Podcast until he graduated.
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