Browns HC Kevin Stefanski admits he wishes he told Nick Chubb not to score TD vs. Jets
The Cleveland Browns were on the cusp of starting the 2022 NFL season at 2-0 when running back Nick Chubb scored a rushing touchdown with 1:55 remaining in regulation of Sunday's home game against the New York Jets. Had Chubb gone down before reaching the end zone, the Jets would not have been able to stop the clock, and Cleveland would've won 24-17. Instead, the touchdown gifted the Jets new life and allowed quarterback Joe Flacco to toss a pair of scores to notch an incredible 31-30 road victory.
Per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski accepted blame for what happened across the final two minutes of Sunday's encounter while speaking with reporters on Monday.
"Obviously retrospect you know, you want to do anything that can secure the win, so that’s something that’s my responsibility to communicate to that huddle," Stefanski said about wishing he had ensured individuals such as Chubb realized a first down was better than a touchdown at that point of the game. "You know, to put yourself up potentially 14 points inside of two minutes, you should close out that game. So, yes, I wish I had said that to Nick, and Nick would have done it. But it doesn’t change the fact that we had plenty of opportunities to win that game."
Stefanski also confirmed he did not say anything to quarterback Jacoby Brissett about avoiding a touchdown if doing so made sense.
"I’ve never been so happy for a missed tackle in my life," Jets head coach Robert Saleh said after the win. "That was our only chance. Credit to the offense that stepped up and took advantage of a busted coverage on Corey (Davis’) play and left us enough time to get the onside (kick) and win."
After the Chubb touchdown, Flacco hit receiver Corey Davis for a 66-yard score, and the Jets then recovered an onside kick:
Flacco ended the following drive by connecting with rookie receiver Garrett Wilson for a game-winning 15-yard touchdown with 22 seconds left on the clock:
The 1-1 Browns have little time to feel sorry for themselves, as they host the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) on Thursday night.
More must-reads: