Kareem Hunt Wanted Opportunity To Ice Game For Browns Against Seattle

Cleveland's featured back in Sunday's loss finished with over 50 yards rushing and a touchdown, but laments not being used in a key moment of the game

Every player says they want the ball in their hands when the game is on the line. Browns running back Kareem Hunt was deprived of that exact opportunity in Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

That's because with a 20-17 lead and facing a third-and-three with two minutes remaining in the game, head coach Kevin Stefanski opted for calling a quick pass play with backup quarterback P.J. Walker. The results were disastrous, as Walker's pass ricocheted off the helmet of safety Jamal Adams and wound up being intercepted. Less than 90 seconds later the Seahawks took a 24-20 lead and stole a win right out from under the Browns nose.

Stefanski's now finds himself squarely in the crossfire of criticism after putting his faith in a former practice squad quarterback rather than his running attack with the game on the line.

Hunt expressed frustration over the decision, and his usage in the final stanza as a whole.

"I didn’t get a chance the whole fourth quarter," Hunt said afterward. "So it’s cool. I don’t know. I just go and play my role. Do what I do."

The 28-year-old led the team in rushing with 55 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. He was the leading rusher on a day where Cleveland's ground game compiled 155 total yards – context that makes Stefanski's costly decision even more perplexing.

"I mean, I guess,” Hunt said about whether or not the play call surprised him. “I don’t know. It’s up to {Stefanski}. He makes the calls.

"It is what it is. I feel like I could have helped the team win."

Since returning to the Browns in the aftermath of Nick Chubb's season ending injury in Week 2, Hunt has provided a nice spark out of the backfield alongside youngster Jerome Ford. Including Sunday's score, Hunt has scored four total touchdowns this season, including two against Indianapolis last week.

Hunt went from celebrating a game-winning touchdown run against the Colts in Week 7, to wishing he could have done more for the Browns in Week 8. 

What a difference a week makes.