Poor decisions, lack of execution in 4th quarter cost Browns

A 30-28 loss to the Chargers on Sunday carried a similar and painful script for the Browns on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The Browns held a lead in the fourth quarter and couldn’t hold it. They’ve lost fourth-quarter leads in all three of their losses this season, and it happened as a result of avoidable mistakes and poor execution in critical moments.

The game also carried a similar feel to last season’s meeting with the Chargers. Cleveland also blew a fourth-quarter lead in that game, which featured more yards and more points from both sides, but the Browns weren’t ultimately able to stay ahead of a high-powered Chargers offense.

That loss was the first of eight they endured in their final 13 games.

Cleveland is hoping to avoid a similar spell after another loss to Los Angeles, but the results Sunday suggest the Browns have plenty of work ahead to get back on a consistent track.

We’re starting off our takeaways with what they arguably need to clean up most.

A costly fourth-quarter interception and failure to capitalize on a big fourth-down stop from the defense were what separated the Browns from a win.

The interception was arguably the most frustrating point of the game, and it happened with 2:44 left when the Browns trailed by two and followed a drive that had been brilliantly built by QB Jacoby Brissett. Cleveland drove to Los Angeles’ 9-yard line thanks to some timely throws and an impressive 20-yard scramble from Brissett, but his attempt to hit WR Amari Cooper in the end zone when he rolled to his right in the pocket turned into the Browns’ worst case scenario.

Safety Alohi Gilman intercepted the pass, thwarting the Browns a chance to score go-ahead points. Brissett tried to squeeze the pass through traffic in a situation where an incompletion would’ve likely just yielded a chip-shot field goal from Cade York.

The Browns drove 73 yards on 12 plays and had no points to show for it.

“We talk about this all of…