The Brown BLog

Brown BLog Predicts

Sunday Jan 3, 2021:  Browns vs Steelers

"One step at a time" 

I love Browns fans who have an irrational optimism in the face of any negative information.

This week our Browns have faced obstacle after obstacle due to injuries and the Covid crisis.  A list of 3 starters and 2 regulars will have to miss the Steelers game including Sendejo, Goodson, Ward, Bryant and Malcolm Smith.   In addition Takitaki has an ankle injury as does Wyatt Teller.   Both may play but will they be effective?

Meanwhile the Steelers have decided to rest 4 key starters including Big Ben and star players Maurkice Pouncy, TJ Watt and Cam Herward.

The conclusion of Browns fans?   Our lost players are easily replaceable, the Steelers lost players are irreplaceable.   Sunday is a sure win!   Great!

But wait a minute....  

I hope and pray I am wrong but I feel nowhere near as confident as the legions this Sunday.  

Here are my reasons why:

• Practice is important.   The Browns have missed one on field practice this week as Covid protocols drove delays and cancellations.   The Browns ability to drill their game plan has to be impacted.   A missed day of on field practice is not just made up by staying extra on Friday and Saturday.   The cycle of preparation has been changed, in a game of inches it could be a factor.
• The Steelers are deep.  There are many examples here but my favorite is Avery Williamson, a linebacker acquired together with a 7th round draft pick during this season from the Jets in exchange for a 5th round draft pick.   The Browns could have had Williamson too but analytics must have said "wait until next year to invest in linebackers".  Williamson is a good player and last week contributed a sack in the key Steelers victory.
• The loss of Goodson and Ward in particular transform the Browns defense into one that is vulnerable even to a QB like Mason Rudolph.
• While many are quick to dismiss Rudolph as worthless because he had a terrible game last season vs the Browns, he is fresh, healthy and has a 5-3 career record as a starter.  Rudolph may not be more than an average NFL QB but he certainly is capable to move the Steelers offense especially with a patient short passing game mixed with an occasional deep throw. 

My final point is that football is an emotional game and there are finally signs that the emotional high that carried the Browns in November and December is starting to fracture.  Baker Mayfield, our franchise QB, had another "Jesus Tony" moment this week, only this time with Mary Kay Cabot.  Baker's passion drives his success but his cocky answer to Mary Kay is all about barking to the press instead of focusing on biting the opponent.   I love Baker and fully believe in him but in the NFL he needs to focus his energy and prep 100% on the opponent.   Last year in the game after his "Jesus Tony" incident, the Browns lost to a very beatable Denver Broncos team who were using their 3rd QB.

I will be thrilled if I am wrong but I see a heartbreaker coming.

If we lose, hopefully we get some help and still get into the playoffs.

If not, transforming the Browns into a playoff team requires many steps and Sunday may just be another lesson learned along the way to the Browns becoming a playoff team.   

Brown BLog Predicts

Steelers   17

Browns    16

The Brown BLog are 8-6 year to date