The Browns were not great, but they were more than enough for the Jets: 3 quick reflections

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns were not the spectacular show that ESPN people were hoping for Monday. But they had the victory.

And after losing 30 points in the first week, you'll get everything you can get in the second week. Even if you had trouble keeping others awake.

Here are three quick thoughts on Browns' first appearance on Monday Night Football since 2015:

1. Work in progress

The Browns are still trying to find themselves in crime. The only thing they can always do is give the ball to Nick Chubb (98 yards combined, one touchdown). But they are not going to give Chubb 30 a share when they have the widest payroll in the NFL. Mayfield had 11 of 23 passes in the first half for 162 yards (71.3 QB). He finished 19 of 35 attempts for 325 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Yes, the Browns were missing pieces. Dontrell Hilliard and Rashard Higgins were absent. David Njoku left the game. Mayfield sometimes passed passes to D'Ernest Johnson and Taywan Taylor. Odell Beckham Jr. managed to run the engine for a few seconds. But what the offensive needs is perseverance and the pace of play. These things have been rare.

At some point, the offense will carry the day. There is too much talent for this not to happen. It's just surprising that a hindered Jets team was not the first to experience it.

2. Austin Seibert needed this (just like the Browns offense)

Seibert seemed to be on the right track after a strong pre-season end. The troubles at the training camp seemed to be behind him. Then he misses his first extra points attempt in Week 1. But on Monday, the novice kicker scored three extra goals and two points on a night when the Browns really needed him. Her 23, 48 and 43 kickoffs allowed the offense to score points in a night when it was not at its best.

3. What happened to the Freddie Kitchens fun?

One of the reasons why the last eight games of 2018 have been so much fun for the Browns – aside from the winner – was the Kitchens game call. Inland transfers to Jarvis Landry. False throws. The WR passes. At this point in the season, we have not really seen these creative gaming calls. See you for a lack of time together in the pre-season for key offensive players, or in Kitchens who will position himself as a freshman head coach who calls for play, or a lack of confidence in the offensive line. It does not matter. But we can not deny that the Browns lacked the offensive excitement and creativity they had shown at the end of last season.