The Browns’ 13-12 loss to the Rams on Sunday can be classified only as a fluke.
The Browns have two of the NFL’s best special teams players in long snapper Ryan Pontbriand and kicker Phil Dawson. They’d combined for four field goals throughout the game. A 22-yard field goal to put the Browns ahead 15-13 with just over two minutes left should have been a chip shot.
Instead, Brown’ offensive lineman Alex Mack nicked Pontbriand’s snap, causing the ball to roll. That made Dawson hesitate and his kick sailed wide left. It was an odd ending for a team that couldn’t get the ball into the end zone all day.
Quarterback Colt McCoy had one of his better games, completing 20-of-27 passes for 218 yards. Running back Chris Ogbannaya had a solid second half, finishing the game with 90 yards on 19 carries. But it was the team’s inability to score a touchdown that doomed the Browns.
The loss drops the Browns to 3-6 while the Rams improve to 2-7.
The Rams went ahead in the game early in the fourth quarter. A fumble on a punt return by Josh Cribbs gave the Rams the ball near the red zone and Josh Brown field goal gave the Rams a 13-12 lead.