BL Predicts: Week 6 vs Bengals

Last week the Brown Log stuck it's 4-0 record on the line and predicted victory against the Giants.   Were it not for a bad decision late in the 2nd quarter on 3rd down and less than 1 yard to go, with the Browns leading 17-10, our prediction may well have been realized.   Instead, the Browns effectively inform the Super Bowl Giants that they will pass, by using a formation WITHOUT a running back, the Giants intercept which led to a 17 point turnaround.    Game, set and match.

This week we take on the Bengals for the second time this season.   We are at home this week and facing what is, for Pat Shurmur, a must win game.   It's a must win for Shurmur because he'll likely be dismissed this season if the Browns do not show any improvement.   A 5 win season would be improvement and we must beat the Bengals to have a reasonable chance to get to 5 wins this season.

I like Pat Shurmur.   He's honest and a good leader but the job coaching the Browns was his first head coaching assignment and his lack of experience is really showing this year.   A head coach learns by making mistakes and Shurmur continues to accumulate experience while the losses add up.   My guess is that Haslam won't accept a continuation of the Browns "education" of Shurmur and unfortunately for Pat Shurmur this may mean he will never have an opportunity to be a head coach in the NFL again.   Shurmur is a quality person, that would be a pity but it's also a pity to watch this team continue to lose.

Against the Bengals it's anybodies guess what will happen.   Lot's of information to digest with the team facing a record 12th straight loss.  There is extra pressure on Weeden by Shurmur who's grown visibly frustrated with his rookie QB's mistakes, a bit of Mickey Mantle-esque behavior by TJ Ward whose late night partying Friday caused him to be late for practice Saturday and finally we've got injuries everywhere you look.   Last but not least the weather looks to be quite tough today with high winds and likely rain.

I'm guessing the Browns just don't have the motivation or the gas to hang with the Bengals today.   It's going to be a close game but I believe the Browns are going to lose.

Bengals 21
Browns 17

The Brown Log are 4-1 year to date in predicting the winner or loser of Browns games.