Stefanski Caps Off Browns Win with a Bigger Drive After Game

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski led his team to the type of win that can alter the course of a franchise. After a heart-breaking loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers just six days earlier, the entire organization from players and coaches to administrative staff in the front office needed a win now like never before.

Not only due to the loss of the heart and soul of your football team in Nick Chubb but also the outside noise that had already reached a fevered pitch in regard to quarterback Deshaun Watson. After the loss on Monday Night Football in primetime, analysts, reporters, and fans alike lined up to help shovel the dirt and dig the grave of the Browns for acquiring Watson.

Eight games was all the evidence needed to make a final determination and ruling on the transaction and its effectiveness. I'm sure that everyone in the building in Berea woke up on Tuesday morning as if they'd been awakened startlingly from a bad dream. 

Stefanski would now be staring down the biggest regular season game of his career with the pressure to fill the shoes of the most productive player since the Browns returned but also getting Watson on the right track for the offense. Most importantly he needed a win badly, the prospect of starting 1-2 with the Ravens coming in and the 49ers after, might smother the season before it had a chance to really start.

So Stefanski apparently did what has been the mantra of his tenure as head coach of the team. He simply went to 'WORK' alongside the players and coaches that he believes in so profoundly. There were multiple reports that the staff and players were putting in extra time and effort into the game-plan  for Sunday.

All of the hard work would pay off as the Browns got a huge win that many will credit the defense. Just as important, Watson for the first time looked worthy of the $230M contract. He finished the game 27-33 for 289 yards and 2 touchdown passes. After his second touchdown pass to Cooper the normally reserved Stefanski let down his guard to celebrate with his quarterback.

After the game Stefanski said he could see it in the players eyes on Wednesday during practice. "I know the people we have on this team, it’s pretty simple, everybody talks always about culture. Culture is people, I know the guys that are in that locker room."

 He went on to talk about Nick Chubb and what he means to the football team. He said that while Chubb may not be out on the field, that he is with them in spirit and he is certainly going to be in the building during the week.

In perhaps Stefanski's biggest drive of the day, after the game, the coach drove to Chubb's house to personally deliver him the game ball. Stefanski declined to give further personal details when asked by Mary Kay Cabot and said he preferred to keep that between he and Nick.

For all the scrutiny he receives for not having enough passion and emotion, he certainly goes the extra mile behind the scenes to show his players that it's about more than just football to him. For all of the excitement and praise being heaped upon new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, (rightfully so) I also think we should recognize the captain of the ship who helped steady the course of a franchise during some shaky waters in the midst of a storm earlier in the week.