BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The days are getting shorter, and the sun is setting earlier.
A sign of the bitter cold and darkness of winter to come.
The return of Deshaun Watson and the hope he brings to save the franchise in December is getting closer, but until then Jacoby Brissett is savoring the opportunity to start for the Browns.
“It has been a rollercoaster,” Brissett said Thursday. “It has been nothing short of fun. It has been a great time. Obviously, enjoyed every week. I know my emotions don’t show it to you guys, but I actually do enjoy what I do. It has just been a lot of fun. I am like a kid.”
Just four more games remain on the schedule for Brissett before Watson takes over December 4 at Houston.
“I never really thought about the duration of it – more so just the journey of it,” Brissett said. “I have had a lot of fun. I am going to continue to have fun and going out there and trying to do my best. That is all that I have been thinking about.”
The prognosticators felt it would be Brissett who would hold a talented Browns roster back and prevent them from making a run at a playoff berth through the first 11 games but with the exception of one game – a 38-15 loss to the Patriots that saw him throw two interceptions and fumble, Brissett has been the least of the Browns problems.
“Definitely thought I played well in spots,” Brissett said. “Obviously, the results are the main objective. Just finding a way to continue to play better and putting this team in the best position to win.”
They’re a disappointing 2-5 and out of legitimate contention before Halloween.
For whatever reason, talent and character within the locker room hasn’t won the Browns much this year much to the befuddlement of everyone, including Brissett.
“If I figured it out, I would have probably told everybody what it was,” Brissett said. “This league is so up and down, and you just have to find your streak. It is a league of streaks. It is like a three-point shooter; once you hit one, hopefully you see more go down, and that gives you the confidence to understand that they will start falling your way.
“We just have to hit our streak. It is really just finding a way to get one and not necessarily just games but good play, after good play, after good play, after good play. Hopefully, those will pile into a win.”
The Browns are coming off their fourth loss of three or fewer points this season, 23-20 to the Ravens in Baltimore that saw Brissett complete 22 of 27 passes for 258 yards.
“Obviously, it was close, but you don’t really win games with being close,” Brissett said. “Just find a way to make one more play and make one more good decision and figuring out how to attack this team.”
It’s the second time this season Brissett has registered an 81.48 completion percentage – and the Browns have lost both games.
“I just think we have to find ways to minimize the mistakes,” Brissett said. “Mistakes are going to happen in this league. The other teams gets paid, too, so they have good players, too. We understand that. It is just more so we just have to find a way to make one more play here or one more play there. Like I said, hopefully you pile up enough good plays to where it equals a win.”
Monday night’s game against the Bengals will determine if their season stays on life support through the bye week or if the plug gets pulled.
“I think the whole thing is to just empty the tank this week and just see what happens,” Brissett said. “That is how you always play but even more so knowing the situation and being a division game needing a win. Just empty the tank and then when it is time to recharge, we recharge.”