The Cleveland Browns are fresh off a bye week with a coming matchup. The Los Angeles Chargers routed the Browns 27-10 as they held a 20-3 lead by halftime in Week 9, as the bye week proved beneficial for Cleveland after the loss.
The Browns' offense simply didn't do enough in their recent contest. Quarterback Jameis Winston completed just 26 of his 46 passes, also throwing three interceptions -- which has been a known issue in his career.
Cleveland fell to 2-7 on the season, which wasn't all that unexpected. Deshaun Watson is out for the season, and he was performing poorly while healthy. The rest of the squad just isn't up to par and they weren't in a solid position to compete.
Winston took over for Watson, and he's posted a 1-1 record as a starter. He helped the team to a big win over the Baltimore Ravens in his first game as a starter, though his second start wasn't as pretty. A well-timed bye week has given the Florida State product time to work
The Browns' next contest is a very winnable one against the New Orleans Saints on the road.
Ian Rapoport reports that Browns coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Winston will remain the starter coming out of the bye week.
"Browns coach Kevin Stefanski tells reporters that Jameis Winston is the team's QB following the bye week," Rapoport posted.
It's yet to be seen if the bye week helped Winston or the Browns, though they can soon show such against the Saints. The team made a couple of trades before the deadline, allowing others an opportunity to step up.
With a 2-7 record coming off their bye, there isn't much hope for Cleveland on the season, and the future should be on their mind as they get to the back half of their schedule.
