Due to the beating the Steelers put on Jason Campbell, the Browns and Rob Chudzinski had to make the dreaded move to Brandon Weeden in Week 12. We last saw Weeden getting regular action in Week 7 against the Packers, when I termed him the NFL's most entertainingly terrible quarterback after he tried to throw a dump off pass to Willis McGahee … who was busy blocking.
Brandon Weeden is back, and terrible as ever
A three-play sequence on Sunday best sums up the Brandon Weeden era in Cleveland.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
In the intervening weeks, the Browns actually entered the AFC North and wild card discussion with a win over the Ravens and some Cincinnati Bengals struggles. But those hopes were likely dashed last week, and were completely extinguished this week when Weeden got involved again.
A three-play sequence best summed up Weeden’s current place in the NFL. The first was his patented missed dump-off throw to back Chris Ogbonnaya. It was of the “quick, pound it into the turf” variety:
Next was Weeden coughing one up as he attempted to avoid the Steelers’ pass rush. Aside from the lengthy reel of terrible throws, Weeden is perhaps most criticized for being a statue, completely unable to get rid of the ball and evade anyone moving at moderate speed towards him. He had no chance getting away here, but also left the ball out there for the nice and easy turnover.
The Steelers could not take advantage of the giveaway and were forced to punt, so did Weeden reset and redeem things? No. On his very next snap, he threw an easy pick-six out to the right side, with William Gay doing the honors and jumping right in front of the choreographed throw.
It was the first defensive touchdown of the season for the Steelers. Pittsburgh couldn’t get any points off the fumble turnover, so Weeden decided to make it easier for Dick LeBeau’s group to get some points on his very next play.
Those are the benefits of facing Brandon Weeden.
Next week, the Browns host the Jaguars and we'll always be one play away from a Weeden vs. Gabbert showdown.
More from SB Nation NFL
See More:
