The Cleveland Browns’ loss to the New York Jets exposed the risks of relying on late-game heroics. After three consecutive game-winning drives, Deshaun Watson failed to do the same in Week 5.

Speaking on Overtime with Jake Vulinec on 92.3 The Fan, Nick Pedone said those wins had obscured Watson’s uneven play this season. He cited 19 sacks, six fumbles, and 10 turnover-worthy plays from the quarterback through those five games:

“At some point, you're going to have to play good football in the first three quarters. You can't be playing a losing brand of football through three quarters and just put the cape on [..] and be Superman at the end of each and every game.”

The Browns' voice also acknowledged that Watson had put Cleveland in positions to win, but questioned whether that pattern could continue. He said that the QB1 had not played well consistently since the Browns’ Week 2 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I definitely did feel like the magic ran out Sunday,” Pedone concluded.

Browns' comeback formula faces a reality check after Jets loss

Nick Pedone warned that Cleveland cannot keep backing itself into difficult positions and expect to escape every time. Even against the struggling Jets, the Browns’ late-game approach failed.

He argued that stronger opponents could punish the pattern. Cleveland needs to play better earlier instead of depending on another dramatic fourth quarter.

The loss raised a wider question: can the Browns progress without relying on last-minute turnarounds? Only time will tell.

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Sayantan