The constant in the Browns’ two losses has been an underachieving, inconsistent, uninspiring offense.
The Browns managed 10 points against a Dallas defense that was torched for 37 by Philadelphia on Monday night. They followed with six points against the Steelers when 11 would’ve won the game.
So, the question is simple: Where has all the offense gone?
It scored 402 points last year and returned the quarterback, top receiver, top running back and top tight end. Its captain, coordinator Rob Chudzinski, was back after signing an extension.
It was supposed to be better after an offseason of tinkering and imagining. It was supposed to carry a questionable defense. It was supposed to pave the way to the postseason.
It’s fallen flat.
“We played two hard defenses,” tight end Kellen Winslow said Monday.
That may be part of the explanation — particularly when talking about Pittsburgh — but it’s much too simplistic. Cleveland’s coaches and players deserve the lion’s share of the blame.
Let’s start with Chudzinski. Viewed as a genius and future head coach following last season’s debut, he has lost his touch — hopefully temporarily.
The calls have come in late way too often, hampering the rhythm of the offense, frustrating quarterback Derek Anderson and wasting timeouts. When they do arrive on time, they haven’t been able to generate first downs or touchdowns.
The calls have been especially ineffective in the red zone. The Browns reached the opponents’ 20-yard line five times and left with one touchdown and three field goals.
The first trip inside the red zone Sunday was the worst. With one shot at a touchdown with eight seconds left in the half, Chudzinski called a play that had Winslow run an out on the 5-yard line and Syndric Steptoe a slant near the goal line. The right call is a high pass to a tall receiver that brings a quick touchdown or incompletion, which can be followed by a field goal.
Anderson is to blame for the interception thrown in Steptoe’s direction, but Chudzinski didn’t give him a viable option.
Let’s be clear on something: Chudzinski isn’t the only one to blame. Anderson has been inaccurate, Braylon Edwards can’t hang onto the ball and the line has opened few holes for running back Jamal Lewis.
But Chudzinski is the man at the controls. It’s his job to call plays on time, make better choices in the red zone and get his stars to play like stars. He better find the solutions in a hurry.

Quick hits

A win over the Steelers would’ve eased minds across town, but a loss doesn’t mean the season’s over. Wins the next two weeks at Baltimore and Cincinnati would even the record at 2-2 and give the Browns a 2-1 record inside the AFC North heading into the bye week.
It’s a necessary step in saving the season.
• Edwards’ drops are bad enough, but he also showed poor effort on two other plays Sunday.
On Anderson’s deep interception, Edwards made no effort to catch the ball. He should’ve tried to turn the pass into a jump ball, where he would’ve had the advantage. The least he could’ve done is turn into a cornerback and break up the pass.
Then on third-and-7 on a late drive in the fourth quarter — the one that ended in a field goal — Edwards let Bryant McFadden beat him to the stop on a slant. Edwards needs to make that play in that situation.
• Coach Romeo Crennel takes a lot of grief, much of which is over the top and unjustified. But he must do better with clock management and decision-making at the end of the first half and games.
Whether it’s true or not, the screw-ups give the impression that the game’s moving too fast for Crennel and his staff.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com. 

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