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Welcome to the spotlight, Freddie Kitchens.

The Browns coach is being criticized for a dubious decision to run a draw on fourth-and-9 in the fourth quarter of the Browns’ 20-13 loss to the Rams on Sunday night. Instead of allowing quarterback Baker Mayfield to try and throw for the first down, Kitchens ordered up a handoff to Nick Chubb, who was stopped after a 2-yard gain.

“It just didn’t work. It was a bad call,” Kitchens, who doubles as the offensive playcaller, told reporters after the game. “We’re trying to win the game and we’re on their side of the field. Bad call.”

The Browns are now 1-2 with both defeats coming at home and their one victory coming against the Jets and third-string quarterback Luke Falk. It’s just been three games, but they have been unable to match the hype that ushered in this season.

“I know what you guys are gonna try and do is talk about the playcalling,” Mayfield said. “But you know what, that’s why I said execution’s the most important thing. Whatever we have called, we have to do our job.”

Mayfield may have a point. The second-year QB completed just 18-of-36 passes with one touchdown and one interception. Kitchens was also kicking himself for not giving the ball to Chubb on the Browns’ final drive, when they got inside the 5-yard-line trailing by a touchdown.

“I should’ve run it one time,” Kitchens said. “I should’ve — that’s why I’m kicking myself in the ass for it right now.”

Instead, the drive and the game ended with a fourth-down interception by Mayfield.

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