BL Predicts: Week 13 vs Pittsburgh

A leader of any large organization, sooner or later, is going to run into turbulent times. Those difficult moments will test his ability to lead. Failure to lead a group through a crisis usually means career failure both in business and sports.

Tonights game will tell us a lot about what is happening behind the scenes with Pat Shurmur, his coaches and players. When I separate out the emotions of being a Browns fan and look only at the facts, I like what I see in Cleveland. Building a team takes time. Personnel decisions have been solid, progress is being made. Undoubtedly, questions remain. Can Colt McCoy lead the team to a championship and is Pat Shurmur a championship caliber coach are the two biggest questions.

This evenings game will tell us a lot about Pat Shurmur. A string of tough losses leaves the Browns at 4-8 today. Fans are not able to observe how Shurmur is managing all of this. For certain a number of things are happening. During any crisis in an organization leadership will get challenged. A good leader of men knows how to push the right buttons to keep everyone on the team pulling in the same direction. Is Shurmur leading his men appropriately day to day and hour to hour? One big clue will be in the performance of the Browns tonight. Will the team play hard all game long or will they give a half effort? Will the Browns fight and claw for every yard, or will they go through the motions?

I am convinced that Pat Shurmur is a championship caliber coach. When i watch his press conferences it is clear, he is an honest straight shooter and he wears his emotions on his sleeve. He hates to lose but he takes full responsibilty. Finally, by all indications he is fair. These are factors that can hold a team together in crisis. Does he manage his team with the same qualities that he shows when speaking to the press? Tonight will tell us all we need to know.

My prediction is that the Browns will lose but they'll show up ready to play.

BL Predicts
Browns 19
Pittsburgh 28

The Brown Log are 6-6 on prognostication year to date.