CLEVELAND — I don't know about you, but I'm struggling today dealing with the reality that the Cleveland Browns' season is over.
As Jim Donovan pointed out in our season finale of Donovan & Dino, one thing that makes the NFL so different from other professional leagues is the abruptness of its ending. There's no Game 2 or Game 7. When it's over, it's over.
The Browns' miraculous ride through the 2020 season came to a close in Kansas City in the AFC Divisional Playoff on Sunday evening. And to no one's surprise, it came with the Browns overcoming odd plays and obstacles to give themselves a shot at the end. Unfortunately, they just couldn't overcome the Chiefs at Arrowhead.
So on Monday's Donovan & Dino, Jimmy and I looked back at some of the important sequences of the loss to Kansas City. For instance, what did Jimmy think when he saw Rashard Higgins take that shot to the helmet as he tried to lunge with the ball into the end zone, only to see the call of touchback? Also, did the Browns wait too long to try to unleash their running game?
We also started to look ahead to the offseason during the show. What are going to be the Browns top priorities in terms of upgrading the roster for next season? Which of the team's free agents will they try to keep? Will Odell Beckham Jr. be back with the Browns next year? Jimmy and I try to answer those questions.
And finally, I was curious to find out from Jimmy what his favorite moments from this past Browns season were. Of course he picked out a couple of the exciting wins, but also saluted the build-up to this past week's playoff game in Kansas City, including the legions of fans who showed up for a drive-thru rally at FirstEnergy Stadium on Saturday.
"That was really cool," Jimmy said. "I think about the old days, the Kosar days, and the frenzy that Cleveland was in then getting ready for a big game. I wondered if that would ever come back. Even with restrictions on being outside, wearing a mask and social distancing, Browns fans went out and were just so happy to have this back. It restored my faith in 'Browns Nation' that once the team is respectable and starting to win, that frenzy will be back. And I think it is back."
Here was my favorite moment.
For the first time in his 22 seasons of calling Browns games, Jimmy finally got to announce that the team had advanced to the playoffs. And he thought of all of you when he did it. That's my favorite moment of the year.
You can watch the season finale of Donovan & Dino in the player below or above.
Get more from Jim Donovan about the Chiefs loss and his thoughts about this Browns season on Jimmy's Take.
More Browns coverage:
- What would a Baker Mayfield extension look like for the Cleveland Browns?
- Cheering Cleveland Browns fans welcome team home to show thanks for the season despite loss to Kansas City Chiefs
- AFTER FURTHER REVIEW | Dave 'Dino' DeNatale and Jay Crawford recap Cleveland Browns playoff loss and look back at memorable 2020 season
- Examining the Cleveland Browns' 2021 free agents
- Jay Crawford: Pain of Cleveland Browns' playoff loss is 'all-consuming,' but future 'as bright as it’s been in decades'
- 'We'll be back': Players, fans, celebrities react to Cleveland Browns' playoff loss