Browns vs Steelers:  A game filled with subplots!

 

The Browns Steelers match up this Sunday is filled with interesting subplots, both in the days running up to the game and on gameday itself:

Subplots before Gameday:

•  Will Mike Tomlin rest any starters? 

• Will Browns players who had to sit out Sunday because they were exposed to Goodson get Covid or will they not come down with Covid and be eligible to play.  This is huge for the Browns:  Landry, Higgins, Hodge, Peoples-Jones and Phillips.     

• Does Jedrick Wills have Covid or not?   Another huge unknown that we will know more about soon 

• Can Wyatt Teller get back on the field Sunday.  Against the Steelers there will be nowhere to hide a rookie Guard, the Jets exposed Harris's weaknesses, imagine what Pittsburgh might come up with.

Gameday subplots:

• Will the Browns win and make the playoffs for the first time in ice ages? 

• If Tomlin rests Big Ben, will Mason Rudolph and Myles Garrett clash? 

• If Tomlin does not rest his starters, is he doing so to keep his team sharp for the playoffs or is there an element of revenge not to mention an emotional edge in the future vs an emerging Browns team?   Denying the Browns a playoff spot would certainly feel sweet to Mike Tomlin who cannot possibly enjoy hearing all year long how great a coach Kevin Stefanski is while he has never been given any credit after 14 winning seasons and a Super Bowl. 

• Can Baker Mayfield get back into top form after a 3 fumble game vs the Jets?

Looking forward to a very dramatic Sunday in Cleveland.
Go Browns! 

Brown BLog Predicts

Sunday December 27:  Browns vs Jets

"Winning is simple in the NFL"

I am writing this prediction after the news of the Browns top 4 wide receivers being declared out by Covid protocols.  In addition, two starting linebackers AND starting LT Jedrick Wills are out.  Unlike the mass of Browns fans who believe winning in New York today will be simple, I respectfully disagree.   The loss of these players took place 18 hours before game time.  An entire week's preparation now must be reshuffled.  

The Jets are 1-13 but as Bill Belichick famously has repeated, there is no such thing as an easy game in the NFL.   What the Jets matchup will be is the ultimate test of how well prepared Kevin Stefanski and his staff are.   

Questions that we will get answers to today:

- Does Stefanski's gameplan get driven down to the level of players on the taxi squad

- Does each athlete prepare as if he is going to play, even in week 17 of a season in which he has not played a game?

Every clue we have this season is that Stefanski holds everyone accountable to a high standard, even those folks on the taxi squad.  

Today we will find out how the Browns preparation holds out under the worst imaginable circumstances.  

I see the Browns winning today and I do not think the final score will be close which in some ways is a shame because I dread reading the Twitter posts of those infamous Browns homers, who will claim winning in the NFL is simple and will all claim "I told you so".

Winning is not simple, the Browns will win today because they have a coach who understands accountability, knows how to craft a winning plan and how to install his game plan so that every player on the team is ready.

Brown BLog Predicts

Browns    23

Jets          13

The Brown BLog are 8-5 this season predicting the outcome of Browns games.

 

Brown BLog Predicts

Sunday Night Football - December 20

Browns vs Giants

Once Upon a Time

 Once upon a time if the Cleveland Browns faced a team with a QB who was traded by the Browns and whose ex coach was calling plays it would be almost a sure thing we would lose.

This Browns team is different.   The key against the Giants today is avoid turnovers and play with the same consistency the Browns have displayed all season long.

Should be a win for the good guys today

BL Predicts

Browns 27

Giants   13

The Brown BLog are 7-5 Predicting Browns games this season

Brown BLog Predicts

Monday Night Football!

December 14, 2020:  Browns vs Ravens

Welcome to the Club

The Browns experienced a breakout win last week vs the Titans but there are still pundits who do not believe the Browns are for real.    What is important is that the Browns team clearly believes in themselves.  The Browns are peaking at the perfect time, beating the Ravens will signal to the entire NFL that the Browns are for real.

Today I think the rest of the NFL will have to say "Welcome to the Club" as recognition that this Browns team is dangerous.

The Ravens blew the Browns out in the season opener and make no mistake, Lamar Jackson is a great QB.  He will give the Browns all they can handle tonight.  Furthermore, the loss of TE Austin Hooper is a big blow but there is a good reason Stefanski kept 4 good Tight Ends.  Injuries are part of the game.  Harrison Bryant needs to show he has overcome his battle with fumbling,  David Njoku needs to hang onto passes and keep blocking well.   There is reason to believe they will, the Browns have overcome critical injuries all season as Stefanski masterfully orchestrates and adapts his scheme to the talents of those athletes available on a given week. 

In a cold weather battle, I see the Browns eeking out a thrilling win in The Land.

Brown BLog Predicts

Browns 27

Ravens  24

The Brown BLog are 7-4 this season predicting Browns games 

 

Brown BLog Predicts

Sunday December 5, 2020:  Browns vs Titans

Emotions and Football 

More than any sport, football is an emotional sport.  The role emotion plays cannot be overstated in game where a fraction of an inch is often the difference between success and failure.  Add in that physical pain plays a huge role in every game.  The athlete who can focus his emotions is better able to overcome pain.

On paper, the Tennessee Titans should win Sunday vs the Browns.  They are at home and arguably they have better talent in many roster spots especially on defense.   But right now the Browns are peaking emotionally.   The Browns are united around good leadership, filled with motivated players like Nick Chubb, Myles Garrett, Baker Mayfield. Jarvis Landry, Kareem Hunt, this list goes on.

This Browns team has a lot of fight in them and they are going to need that in Nashville on Sunday.  Call it gut feeling, call it what you will, but I believe the emotional edge will be what carries our Browns to a historical victory, a Turning point this Sunday

Brown BLog Predicts

Browns     31

Titans        20

The Brown BLOg are 6-4 this season