Everything Kevin Stefanski said after Browns loss to Chiefs: ‘I should have been better’

In his first full playoff game as a head coach, Kevin Stefanski will take Sunday as a learning lesson with the Cleveland Browns. 

The Cleveland Browns had a chance to win. In fact, they had multiple chances to take the AFC Divisional Round into their hands against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Patrick Mahomes would leave before the start of the fourth quarter with a concussion. The Browns picked off Chad Henne with a chance to score. Instead, they punted and were forced to make a stop on fourth and inches.

Low and behold, Henne picked up the minimum. The clock kept running. Game over in favor of the Chiefs, 22-17. The Browns’ season came to a screeching halt just minutes away from completing the ultimate comeback.

The pain will fall on Browns fans, but it also falls on Kevin Stefanski. Although the first-year head coach has plenty to build off of in the coming seasons, a loss such as this will sting for at least the plane ride back to Cleveland.

“All those decisions, that’s on me,” Stefanski told reporters. “I should have been better there. There’s a cost to those when you do lose those, because you’re losing a timeout, so that’s on me.”

Several calls cost the Browns the game

One play will stand out more than most when looking back. During the second quarter, Rashard Higgins caught a pass just outside the end zone and dove towards the pylon for six points. Chiefs safety Daniel Sorenson led with a helmet-to-helmet hit, forcing a fumble and watching the ball roll out of the end zone, leading to a touchback.

Instead of scoring a touchdown, it led to a drive that culminated in a field goal for Kansas City.

“Honestly, I didn’t see the replay,” Stefanski said. “I was told about it but I’ll let the league handle those types of things.”

Another critical moment came following the Jarvis Landry touchdown. Down by 10, Cleveland had a chance to go for two and make it a one-possession game. Instead, Cody Parkey came on for the surefire point-after.

There was also the challenge of a Tyreek Hill reception that cost the Browns a timeout, but you get the idea.

Not all is lost for the Browns. They made the postseason for the first time since 2002 and picked up their first double-digit win season in 13 years. They also made it to the Divisional Round for the first time since 1994.

Consider this a learning lesson for the future with Stefanski as he hopes to keep the Browns relevant in the future.