The Browns took the ball first in Pittsburgh after winning the toss. Harold Fannin Jr. fumbled after a Shedeur Sanders completion, the defense got a stop, and Deshaun Watson returned and lost a fumble on the next possession in Sunday's 27-6 loss.
Cleveland has been outscored 65-13 in first quarters this season.
Todd Monken explained the receiving choice in his Monday film review: "we're trying to jump-start whatever we can to start fast."
Monken has tried defense first, too
Monken said the staff discusses the coin-toss decision during the week and has also tried sending the defense out first.
He pointed to the Tennessee comeback a week earlier: Cleveland allowed a touchdown, turned the ball over and allowed another touchdown, but survived. Pittsburgh offered no such escape.
The early hole forced more passing
The opening deficit in Pittsburgh pushed Cleveland into more drop-back passing, Monken said Monday, increasing pressure on the quarterback.
Cleveland got another stop after halftime
Pat Freiermuth scored just before halftime, but Pittsburgh punted on its opening third-quarter possession. Cleveland took over deep in its own territory, ran on every play and punted. Jaylen Warren scored on Pittsburgh's next drive.
Receiving first left Pittsburgh with the opening second-half possession; it did not cause the fumbles or take away Cleveland's chance to answer after the break.
Asked about slow starts Wednesday, with Watson in concussion protocol, Monken identified turnovers, penalties, lost-yardage plays and early trouble stopping the run.
His Wednesday assessment fit the opening Cleveland had chosen for itself: "We didn't even give ourselves a chance."
Image: AI-generated image.
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