The Browns’ degree of difficulty too high against the Cardinals - Scott Patsko

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden comes in for a sack on Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, but Mayfield manages to escape in the first half.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones dives over the tackle attempt of Arizona Cardinals cornerback Robert Alford and into the end zone for a touchdown reception in the first half.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (R) celebrates his touchdown reception with teammate tight end David Njoku at the end of the first half.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield escapes the rush of Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield scrambles out of bounds during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. catches a first down pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper catches a pass during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter with Cleveland Browns cornerback Troy Hill in the background at FirstEnergy Stadium. Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns cornerback Greedy Williams tackles Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins celebrates the touchdown reception by wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) at the end of the first half.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (top) celebrates his touchdown reception with teammate offensive tackle James Hudson in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt finds some running on a rush in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) leaps up to catch a touchdown Hail-Mary pass defended by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson in the first half.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones celebrates his touchdown reception in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones celebrates his touchdown reception at the end of the first half.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (R) celebrates his touchdown reception with teammate tight end David Njoku at the end of the first half.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones turns upfield after a reception where Arizona Cardinals cornerback Robert Alford is the only thing in the way of Peoples-Jones touchdown in the first half.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray dives on the football to recover his fumble in the first half.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (on grass) secures the football on a touchdown reception on a Hail-Mary pass in the first half.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt finds some running on a rush in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) celebrates his touchdown reception with quarterback Baker Mayfield at the end of the first half.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield looks up at the scoreboard late in the fourth quarter.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) celebrates his touchdown reception with teammate offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum in the fourth quarter.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Takkarist McKinley rubs his face on the bench late in the fourth quarter.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is pressured from behind by Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt that Mayfield escaped the tackle attempt in the first half.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield talks with teammate wide receiver Jarvis Landry on the bench late in the fourth quarter.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green hauls in a touchdown pass defended by Cleveland Browns cornerback Greedy Williams.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins walks off the field after their loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield leaves the field after their loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds finds running room on a rush as Cleveland Browns defensive end Takkarist McKinley trips over teammate defensive back Grant Delpit on the pursuit in the first half.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray waltzes into the end zone pursued by Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in the first half. The play was called back for a holding penalty on the Cardinals offense.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins caresses the football after rocking it like a baby in celebration for his first half touchdown reception.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray runs out of the pocket to make a running pass in the first half.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield walks off the field after their loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. walks off the field after their loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (L-R), safety Richard LeCounte III and wide receiver Jarvis Landry on the bench late in the fourth quarter.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green hauls in a touchdown pass defended by Cleveland Browns cornerback Greedy Williams.

Cleveland Browns offensive linemen (left-right) guard Blake Hance, guard Joel Bitonio, center JC Tretter offensive tackle James Hudson and guard Wyatt Teller look up at the jumbo screen to see a replay of a holding penalty in the first half.

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Robert Alford runs with an intercepted ball from Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield in the first half.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk catches a pass for a touchdown against Cleveland Browns cornerback Troy Hill in the first half.

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Michael Dogbe recovers a fumble after Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is stripped of the ball on a sack in the first half.

Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds gets wrapped up by Cleveland Browns middle linebacker Anthony Walker and Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Sheldon Day in the first half.

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner is upended by Cleveland Browns middle linebacker Anthony Walker and Cleveland Browns cornerback Troy Hill in the first half.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk catches a pass for a touchdown against Cleveland Browns cornerback Troy Hill in the first half.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has some words with line judge Jeff Seeman in the first half.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield walks to the sidelines after a turnover against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins scores a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in the first half.

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.Õs ÒBlah BlahÓ cleats during warm ups prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield watches as the ball falls away from him on a strip sack by Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt in the second half.

Cleveland Browns guard Wyatt Teller checks on teammate Baker Mayfield on the sideline in the second half.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt is carted off the field after an injury against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt is carted off the field after an injury against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray fumbles the ball but recovers it in the second half.

Cleveland Browns cornerback Greedy Williams gets congratulated by teammates Greg Newsome II (20), Mack Wilson (51) and Anthony Walker (4) after breaking up a pass against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt lies injured on the field after a play against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt lies injured on the field after a play against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt is helped off the field after an injury against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. runs after a catch as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy tries to stop him in the second half.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt lies injured on the field after a play against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half.

Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt talks to Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield after the game.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski walks the sidelines late in the second half.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green catches a pass for a first down against the Cleveland Browns in the second half.

Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt calls for medics for Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield in the second half.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield falls hard on his shoulder after a strip sack by Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt in the second half.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins bobbles a pass under coverage from Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward in the second half.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield lies on the field after a strip sack by Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt in the second half.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins celebrates a touchdown by making a snow angel in the second half.

Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah tries to get ahold of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray in the second half.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Case Keenum looks to throw against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield watches the end of the game against the Arizona Cardinals from the sideline in the second half.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio - The worst thing about Sunday’s game is that the Browns have another one in just four days.

That’s when the Broncos visit FirstEnergy Stadium for a Thursday night game. The Browns went into Sunday’s 37-14 loss to the Cardinals with a ton of injury questions. They’re leaving with a ton, too, and not much time to get healthy.

Will starting tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin be ready to play Thursday? They weren’t on Sunday and the offensive line suffered. Baker Mayfield was sacked five times and seemed to land on his injured shoulder during the game, although he did not miss a snap.

Kareem Hunt was carted to the locker room with a calf injury in the fourth quarter, putting his immediate future in doubt. The Browns were already without Nick Chubb, ruled out earlier in the week with his own calf injury.

Odell Beckham Jr. also had to leave Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury, although he did return.

The defense was fortunate to have almost all its regular starters against the Cardinals, but Greedy Williams got the start at cornerback even though Greg Newsome II was active. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who dealt with a throat contusion last week, headed to the locker room late in Sunday’s game.

The Browns are about to begin what most considered a favorable stretch of the schedule. Sunday’s game was the first of three straight at home, where, before the loss to the Cardinals, the Browns were 7-2, including 2-0 this season, under Kevin Stefanski.

Their upcoming opponents are not the elite of the NFL - Broncos, Bengals, Steelers, Patriots, Lions. Perhaps those teams will offer more margin for error than what the Cardinals did.

They entered the game averaging 31.4 points per game, ranked fourth. Their poor run defense never became an issue because the Browns fell behind early -- although, it’s debatable if the Browns were ever really in a position to take advantage of that with backups at both tackle positions.

The Browns could really use a bye week, but they won’t get that until Week 13. What they could get this week is Jarvis Landry, who was designated for return from injured reserve last week.

His return would be good news for the Browns. They need more good news than that right now.

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