11 minutes ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

I guess the question I have is what qualifies as a good season for the Browns. They are 5-2 now and looking at the schedule they have at least 4 more wins possibly 5. That is a playoff record (of course a total collapse is not unprecedented and this is Cleveland so if it can happen it will).   

I do not see them making much of a run in the playoffs with the current makeup as this is not a Super Bowl quality team, but the liklihood of them ending their playoff drought is almost certain. (I may eat those words come December). 

 

Also, keep in mind that injuries happen. You cant expect the season to have all your stud players healthy the entire time. Stefanski has changed the culture to a positive one after so many years of failure. He may never be the one to get to the Super Bowl, and the Browns still need a few missing pieces to get there, but the trajectory has been changed. 

 

I think anything 9-7 or better is a success obviously, but we have enough on offense, if we just had a defense that was top 15-20th in the league, your view might be different?  That's what i am saying....we need to be doing something about this defense.  While everyone was pissing and moaning about our offense (because of 2 games)...they really missed THE biggest issue with the team...our absolutely horrendous defense.  There's no silver lining.  They aren't going to magically just get better.  They lack the basic ability as currently constructed.  AGAIN, the Browns have score at least 32 points in EVERY win, and yet still almost lost everyone of those games.  The simple fact that this fan base is still debating about the offense....blows my mind.  The offense is NOT the problem.  Its the fact that this organization is doing NOTHING to address the fact that our defense is the worst defense we have put on the field since returning in 99'.  Going out and bringing in the guys that i have mentioned already might be just enough to what we need to maybe...just maybe improve this defense enough to make a run.  I'll say it again, doing nothing is dereliction of duty.  

Edited October 26, 20204 yr by OhioFinest

OBJ tearing his ACL certainly doesn't help

4 minutes ago, YABO713 said:

OBJ tearing his ACL certainly doesn't help

Will he be done for next season as well?

And Mayfield was celebrating this win...squeaking by the Bengals and with OBJ done for the season. I am sorry but I just hate Mayfield.

Edited October 26, 20204 yr by Toddguy

5 minutes ago, OhioFinest said:

I think anything 9-7 or better is a success obviously, but we have enough on offense, if we just had a defense that was top 15-20th in the league, your view might be different?  That's what i am saying....we need to be doing something about this defense.  While everyone was pissing and moaning about our offense (because of 2 games)...they really missed THE biggest issue with the team...our absolutely horrendous defense.  There's no silver lining.  They aren't going to magically just get better.  They lack the basic ability as currently constructed.  AGAIN, the Browns have score at least 32 points in EVERY win, and yet still almost lost everyone of those games.  The simple fact that this fan base is still debating about the offense....blows my mind.  The offense is NOT the problem.  Its the fact that this organization is doing NOTHING to address the fact that our defense is the worst defense we have put on the field since returning in 99'.  Going out and bringing in the guys that i have mentioned already might be just enough to what we need to maybe...just maybe improve this defense enough to make a run.  I'll say it again, doing nothing is dereliction of duty.  

Looking at the schedule, how many more wins do they have left in your opinion? I think there are at least 4 with Jax, NYJ, NYG, Eagles. Are there any we are missing?

Time to find out what DPJ can do. Might inquire about two Jets players: WR Breshad Perriman and FS Marcus Maye. 

 

But the front office isn't going to mortgage the team's future for a stopgap. If they can find some good deals, then they'll make them. 

 

 

15 minutes ago, Toddguy said:

Will he be done for next season as well?

And Mayfield was celebrating this win...squeaking by the Bengals and with OBJ done for the season. I am sorry but I just hate Mayfield.

 

I hate this entire overture (not you though, @Toddguy - I normally like your takes on everything so please don't believe this is aimed at you personally)

 

But injuries happen in football. I once had my QB lead me over the middle of the field into a safety where I was KO'd after the catch. He never should've led me into the middle like that. But I'm the best man in his wedding next July and he was a groomsmen in mine. These things happen in sports, especially football, if Baker beats himself up over the INT he'll kill himself the rest of the season. 

 

Secondly, it's the national football league - be happy about every win. Sure, you should act like you've been there - but 99% of athletes play better when they're having fun. 

 

Third and finally - he didn't know OBJ tore his ACL at the time he celebrated. What he did know is that he overcame an atrocious start and, with the help of Myles Garrett, Rashad Higgins, JC Tretter, DPJ, Jarvis Landry, and Harrison Bryant, they overcame adversity on the road to move to 5-2. 

 

You'd be a masochist not to celebrate that win. 

Edited October 26, 20204 yr by YABO713

17 minutes ago, YABO713 said:

 

I hate this entire overture (not you though, @Toddguy - I normally like your takes on everything so please don't believe this is aimed at you personally)

 

But injuries happen in football. I once had my QB lead me over the middle of the field into a safety where I was KO'd after the catch. He never should've led me into the middle like that. But I'm the best man in his wedding next July and he was a groomsmen in mine. These things happen in sports, especially football, if Baker beats himself up over the INT he'll kill himself the rest of the season. 

 

Secondly, it's the national football league - be happy about every win. Sure, you should act like you've been there - but 99% of athletes play better when they're having fun. 

 

Third and finally - he didn't know OBJ tore his ACL at the time he celebrated. What he did know is that he overcame an atrocious start and, with the help of Myles Garrett, Rashad Higgins, JC Tretter, DPJ, Jarvis Landry, and Harrison Bryant, they overcame adversity on the road to move to 5-2. 

 

You'd be a masochist not to celebrate that win. 

I really have always hated Baker, but have tried to suppress it. I don't like his (apparent)personality, I do not like the way he has behaved himself. It is less a performance thing and more a personality thing. I am just acknowledging it. And I don't blame him for what happened...bad throws happen-he hardly could have predicted that it would end up that way. I tolerate him though and will continue to tolerate him.

 

Honestly he never has seemed able to connect with OBJ in any way so I don't think OBJ being out will make that much of a difference as he has not made that much of a difference yet. The rest of the team can get healthy and we will see what happens.

I will of course still support the team.

 

*and yeah I am still bitter about him with the flag thing at OSU lol.

3 hours ago, YABO713 said:

OBJ makes our team better - the problem lies with Baker's infatuation with him. If you want to make the argument that Baker was better in his progressions with OBJ off the field, go for it. But that's not OBJ's fault, that's Baker's. 

 

I agree 100 percent that Baker was infatuated with OBJ and doesn't go through his progressions very often when OBJ is on the field.

 

However.... OBJ doesn't make the team better if his presence makes our QB worse. 

Just now, KJP said:

 

I agree 100 percent that Baker was infatuated with OBJ and doesn't go through his progressions very often when OBJ is on the field.

 

However.... OBJ doesn't make the team better if his presence makes our QB worse. 

 

See: Dallas 2nd half. 

6 minutes ago, YABO713 said:

 

See: Dallas 2nd half. 

 

Don't know what aspect you're pointing to.

2 minutes ago, KJP said:

 

Don't know what aspect you're pointing to.

 

3 minutes ago, YABO713 said:

 

 

I get the reference and that game in particular was probably his best.    But I also feel like this was THE OBJ big play of his entire time with the Browns thus far.   He's had far more ho hum drops and misses.   

GEEEEEEZZZZ....See you guys are literally making my point for me.  Here we are pissing and moaning about the offense and Baker/OBJ.  The critical issues this team faces, do NOT reside on the offensive side of the football...for the love of god.  When you score 200 points on the season thus far, yet have a -21 point differential, the problem squarely lies on the defensive side of the ball.  I think the offense will be fine.  One more game at home against the Raiders, then the Bye and then we get Chubb back.  We may need to go pick up a serviceable WR, just for depth, but our focus needs to be on the defensive side of the ball. Period!!  For the 100th time, you don't have to mortgage the future to bring in guys like Clay Matthews III, Earl Thomas or HaHa Clinton Dix.  They are all Free Agents and could probably be had for very reasonable deals.  If they produce, put in a team option for next year as well.  Doing nothing is mortgaging the future if you ask me.  Doing nothing tells the fan base this organization isn't serious.  We are 5-2....the future is NOW!! Have a sense of urgency and make this defense better.  

Edited October 26, 20204 yr by OhioFinest

I go back to the late 60's - a defense of Bill Glass, Jim Houston, Erich Barnes, among others

browns host the 3-3 raiders next. they got tom brady-ed over the weekend. can baker do the same?

We can score on the Raiders....i personally believe we can score on anybody, but the question will remain the same...can we score enough points to make up for our defense giving up 30+?????  The Raiders are going to run and pass all over this pathetic defense.  Jacobs will have a field day running.  Carr will torch this secondary passing.  If we lose, Monday morning, all the same people will still be talking about the offense. Its absolutely amazing this fan base doesn't understand where the biggest issues are?  Baker could throw for 300+ yds and 5 more TDs Sunday, lose a close game 42-38 and this fan base would be calling for Baker's head.  It's absolutely mind blowing that people don't realize its the defense.  Defense defense defense!!!  

4 hours ago, YABO713 said:

Here's my take:

 

Defense

• I normally avoid from placing blame on individuals, and I'm still reluctant to do so... but Sendejo is an absolute liability. He's not fast enough to cover receivers in man, and he's not quick enough to break on balls thrown to his zone - and he is a below average tackler. Andrew Berry has been an awesome GM to this point, I hope he's on the phone to Minnesota trying to get Harrison Smith. We simply cannot make a playoff run if Sendejo has to play more than 12-15 defensive snaps a game. 
• We get absolutely murdered when our safeties are manned up but 8 yards off the ball - Drew Sample had over 50 yards yesterday just taking advantage of that. IMO - if we want to blitz as much as we do, we need to play way more tight Cover 0 and just take our chances. At this point, what's the difference between 1 50 yard completion for a TD versus 3 15+ completions on the same drive for TDs? 
• Everyone back off Terrence Mitchell - He had a big drop, admittedly, but we wouldn't have been in the game if not for him and Ward. They both played excellent - the difference is, Mitchell had a couple obvious mistakes. He's still a very good field CB. 
• The decision not to rush the passer on the hail mary was the first time I've screamed at my TV all year. WTF was that. I understand only sending 2-3, but don't just stand there and let Burrow heave one - and Idk why we didn't have Njoku and Bryant at the goalline as safeties.
• Redwine's missed tackle on the goal line was a complete lack of effort, and that concerns me. I was on team's in college that were 0-6, and that was the kind of effort some of our players would give when they thought the game was lost. 
• Our D-Line is STUDLY. Larry Ogunjobi is having his best season yet, and Myles Garrett continues to make OC's pay who think they can block him 1 on 1. Also, Olivier Vernon is doing a lot of the dirty work and I can appreciate that. 
• We won the game, so I don't want to be too negative, but we need to address a LOT. 

Offense

• Baker was absolutely locked in, sans 5 plays - and that's what we want from him. 
• Everyone saying we're better without Odell - please stop listening to sports talk radio callers like "Ron from Willoughby" and "Jeff from Brunswick" who "would've made all state if his JV coach didn't hate him." OBJ makes our team better - the problem lies with Baker's infatuation with him. If you want to make the argument that Baker was better in his progressions with OBJ off the field, go for it. But that's not OBJ's fault, that's Baker's. 
• Stefanski continues to impress me. FWIW - He called the 3 plays in a row to start the 1:07 GW drive - and they were all perfect. He predicted Cover 0 on the ball to Higgins, and that's the only coverage (save maybeeeee Cover 1) that would've given Baker the latitude to throw it up there. 
• Kareem Hunt is an ANIMAL. Absolute animal. 
• Jarvis Landry really played 60+ snaps and threw a BOMB with a cracked rib - how do you not wanna play your ass off for a teammate like that?
• JC Tretter might be the best combo blocking center in football. The fact that he's able to snap the ball, pass off the 1 technique to the guard, then get to the next level and block a LB is absolutely nuts, and he does it on about 50% of our run plays. Jedrick Wills is also a stud. His run blocking needs to improve, but he's a rookie. His pass blocking is next level - and his feet are quick for someone who weighs 200 lbs, let alone 320 lbs. 
• Higgins earned himself playing time, regardless of if OBJ comes back soon or not. Dude left it all on the field, played disciplined, and made plays when he needed to. 

Your analysis is excellent and spot on as usual

 

* Sendejo is painful to watch. As you pointed out, he’s below average in every aspect of his game. 
*Mitchell is a very solid coveRage corner. I wish he’d make adjustments when the ball is in the air. 
* One of the pre-game announcers said the Bengals game plan to nullify or pass rush was short  passes and slants. They did it all game long and we did absolutely nothing to stop it.

* The fact that Jarvis Landry played 60+ snaps with cRacked ribs is bonkers to me. I’ve had cracked ribs before. It hurts to walk.

 

 

10 minutes ago, mrnyc said:

browns host the 3-3 raiders next. they got tom brady-ed over the weekend. can baker do the same?

The Tampa defense is pretty darn good too!

I don't understand the love for Mitchell.  He literally almost cost us the game.  Dropped a wiiiiiiide open pick 6 that a high school player could make and missed tackles galore on the go ahead TD drive for the Bengals.  Feel like im taking crazy pills.  He is at best a nickel DB.  If...and that's a big IF...Greedy could ever stay healthy, Mitchell wouldn't be starting.  He's just average....very very average.

 

Edited October 26, 20204 yr by OhioFinest

7 minutes ago, OhioFinest said:

I don't understand the love for Mitchell.  He literally almost cost us the game.  Dropped a wiiiiiiide open pick 6 that a high school player could make and missed tackles galore on the go ahead TD drive for the Bengals.  Feel like im taking crazy pills.  He is at best a nickel DB.  If...and that's a big IF...Greedy could ever stay healthy, Mitchell wouldn't be starting.  He's just average....very very average.

 

 

One play in a vacuum is a reason to get frustrated with him, sure. But he has excellent hips and is a very good field corner, especially in man. 

i just heard obj officialy has a torn ligament and is out for the season on the local news here.

2 hours ago, mrnyc said:

i just heard obj officialy has a torn ligament and is out for the season on the local news here.

We been knew mrnyc! 😉  

Will he miss any of next season also? smh. 

hard to say. i had the same injury so i can say its no picnic to come back from, although eventually you will. i cant imagine for a pro athlete tho. plus its not his first go round with serious injuries. he might not ever get to make it out to la la land.

This is one the Browns should have won.   Embarrassing.   Looking forward to the Yabonalysis.  

The Browns need 4 more wins to make the playoffs. This was not a game that people had them scheduled to win. It would have been nice to win it, but it does not affect their playoff run.  ]]]]]

37 minutes ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

The Browns need 4 more wins to make the playoffs. This was not a game that people had them scheduled to win. It would have been nice to win it, but it does not affect their playoff run.  ]]]]]

Vegas had the Browns giving the Raiders 2.5

If you don't know the name of the other teams punter after watching the whole game on tv, your team sucks.

 

If Jarvis Landry is your teams WR1, your team sucks.

 

If you're super reliant on David Njoku to make a very easy key reception, your team sucks.

 

If a warm weather team comes into your house in terrible weather and kicks you around, your team sucks. 

 

The Cleveland Browns suck!

 

 They are once again pretty close to being the #4 team in the AFC north. 

1 hour ago, surfohio said:

If you don't know the name of the other teams punter after watching the whole game on tv, your team sucks.

 

If Jarvis Landry is your teams WR1, your team sucks.

 

If you're super reliant on David Njoku to make a very easy key reception, your team sucks.

 

If a warm weather team comes into your house in terrible weather and kicks you around, your team sucks. 

 

The Cleveland Browns suck!

 

 They are once again pretty close to being the #4 team in the AFC north. 

 

Idk why we as Browns fans hate ourselves so much, but if you would've told me 5-3 going into the bye week back in August I would've said hell yeah. 

 

I'll get the full thoughts tomorrow

1 hour ago, YABO713 said:

 

Idk why we as Browns fans hate ourselves so much, but if you would've told me 5-3 going into the bye week back in August I would've said hell yeah. 

 

I'll get the full thoughts tomorrow

 

And if I told you the Browns would be outscored 72-13 vs Ravens/Steelers how would you feel lol?

 

12 hours ago, MuRrAy HiLL said:

 

 

 

If Nick Chubb is the smartest guy on the planet, then this guy must be the dumbest!  😀

 

I feel like I saw him in the Barley House video from the other night as well, shotgunning Bud Lights with a pocket full of flunitrazepam and no mask in sight.  

Sorry it's a day late, but here are my thoughts:

 

Coaching

I cannot tell you how refreshing Kevin Stefanski has been this year. This is his first year as a head coach and you really can't tell. A couple points: 

• I cannot begin to emphasize what a savvy move that was of him to keep the offense on the field in the 4th to force the Texans to take their second timeout. Idk why no one was talking about that, but it essentially made a comeback next to impossible. 
• He knows how to get the most out of what he's got. Particularly, he utilized the tight ends this week to illicit pre-snap reads in a way that would help Baker switch run directions when needed. In the second half alone, I counted 16 offensive plays with a pre-snap motion from a tight end. A lot of it was "yo-yo" motion too, intended solely to assist Baker in diagnosis who (if anyone) would be manned up, and if LB's would swap responsibility depending on the alignment being to the boundary or field. 

Offense

• Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio are MAULERS, and Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills have done exceptional jobs extending running lanes this year. Really happy overall with O-line play (when we have all five healthy). 
• We have the best backfield in football, that's obvious. The fact that we have two superstars willing to split carries - that's amazing. 
• I am smitten with Harrison Bryant. As a former TE, I loveeee watching tight ends get the best of OLB's, and this dude straight up gets his rocks off by setting the edge in the run game. Beyond that, he's proven himself adept at finding the soft spots in zone coverage and occupying defenders. 
• Baker is struggling in bad weather. Which is a problem, considering the fact that he plays in Cleveland. His pocket presence was better this week, and that will help with his accuracy in wind, but he's gotta put it all together. His hands are big enough and his arm is strong enough. 

Defense

• Take it in folks, because our d-line this year will be the type of thing we talk about 10-20 years from now. Garrett is a clear front runner for DPOY in my opinion, and Ogunjobi and Richardson have also been exception. Mack Wilson has vastly improved in the last 3 weeks as well. 
• We still need an answer at Sam, and Takitaki ain't it. 
• Denzel Ward played an excellent game, and he's putting together a nice season. 
• Sendejo continues to be the worst safety in football and we need Delpit back next season. Badly. 

On the whole, we're 6-3, with only 1 loss outside of our division. And btw, statistically, the AFC North is the best division in football to this point since the AFL/NFL merger. So there is reason to be optimistic. 

 

We need to finish 11-5 to cement a playoff spot. Fact of the matter is, we're the better team in the next 2 matchups, and the Browns should EXPECT to be 8-3 going into the Titans game. If we can take 1 from either the Steelers or Ravens that should lock us in. Speaking as someone who was involved in "turnaround projects" I just hope that locker room realizes how VERY attainable a 12-4 season actually is. 

16 minutes ago, YABO713 said:

Sorry it's a day late, but here are my thoughts:

 

Coaching

I cannot tell you how refreshing Kevin Stefanski has been this year. This is his first year as a head coach and you really can't tell. A couple points: 

• I cannot begin to emphasize what a savvy move that was of him to keep the offense on the field in the 4th to force the Texans to take their second timeout. Idk why no one was talking about that, but it essentially made a comeback next to impossible. 

 

Check my Twitter account. I made mention of that as it happened and got Jared Mueller and maybe another of the local sports media to like my tweet. While I like Romeo Crennel, it was apparent who was the better coach on Sunday. Also, Stefanski's awareness to remind his players on the final drive to get down if they get the first down was great.

 

I would also add Ronnie Harrison to the "played well" notes. Without him, this secondary would be in a big trouble. I would love to see this secondary with Harrison and Delpit on the field together. Add a SAM in the offseason and another edge and I think this defense could be pretty good. While being 6-3 with a legit shot at the playoffs has been a refreshing change, I'm really looking forward to next year (hopefully injuries spare us!), especially with Mayfield playing two years in the same offensive system.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, YABO713 said:

 

• I cannot begin to emphasize what a savvy move that was of him to keep the offense on the field in the 4th to force the Texans to take their second timeout. Idk why no one was talking about that, but it essentially made a comeback next to impossible. 

i agree that this was nice, but can anyone explain his use of timeouts at the end of the first half? Was he just f'ing with them?

9 minutes ago, Ineffable_Matt said:

i agree that this was nice, but can anyone explain his use of timeouts at the end of the first half? Was he just f'ing with them?

 

My power went out with 3 minutes left in the half lol

37 minutes ago, Ineffable_Matt said:

i agree that this was nice, but can anyone explain his use of timeouts at the end of the first half? Was he just f'ing with them?

Not sure.  There wan't enough time left to force a punt.  Maybe just hoping for a fumble.  Or maybe just f'ing with them.

7 minutes ago, skiwest said:

Not sure.  There wan't enough time left to force a punt.  Maybe just hoping for a fumble.  Or maybe just f'ing with them.

I just saw on the website that used to be our daily newspaper that he was hoping for a fumble. But it was pretty clear that they were running out the clock. Not sure why the Texans did not just kneel, but with Romeo at the helm, who the hell knows?

 

1 minute ago, KJP said:

 

 

If he, Joseph, and Delpit are healthy together next year - this will give us some really nice latitude in what packages we can run 

1 minute ago, YABO713 said:

 

If he, Joseph, and Delpit are healthy together next year - this will give us some really nice latitude in what packages we can run 

 

Yes, in the backfield. Better still for the whole defense if we add a decent SAM linebacker. I wonder if Jacobs Phillips can grow into that role -- if he can stay healthy?? He's certainly got the speed but needs to add some more bulk or he's going to spend more time on IR than on the field. Throw in a better bookend edge and that would be a terrific defense. Maybe we shouldn't have gotten rid of Ogbah who has eight sacks so far this year and is killing it on run defense.... BTW, Kevin Joseph is on a 1-year deal but I don't remember if the Browns have any team options. 

16 minutes ago, KJP said:

 

Yes, in the backfield. Better still for the whole defense if we add a decent SAM linebacker. I wonder if Jacobs Phillips can grow into that role -- if he can stay healthy?? He's certainly got the speed but needs to add some more bulk or he's going to spend more time on IR than on the field. Throw in a better bookend edge and that would be a terrific defense. Maybe we shouldn't have gotten rid of Ogbah who has eight sacks so far this year and is killing it on run defense.... BTW, Kevin Joseph is on a 1-year deal but I don't remember if the Browns have any team options. 

 

If we replace anyone as an FA signing, imo, it will be Goodson - and I think Berry will look to draft at least one OLB in the top 5 rounds next year. In our scheme, a Sam is easier to hide than a Will, and I think this would be especially true if: 1) We have two strong ILB's plugging A-C gap, and 2) We have Myles Garrett occupying LT's.

 

This entire hypothetical relies on the assumption that Mack Wilson will continue to improve, too. 

 

It will be interesting to see, nonetheless. 

Edited November 20, 20204 yr by YABO713

Oh no....

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, KJP said:

Oh no....

 

 

 

 

The Eagles might be better than 28th in the NFL in passing after Sunday.

Another ugly win but dang the Browns are 7-3.

And they move into 2nd place in the AFC North because Baltimore loses!!

On 11/20/2020 at 9:39 AM, jam40jeff said:

 

The Eagles might be better than 28th in the NFL in passing after Sunday.

 

I ended up with the Browns D in my Fantasy league today.   They scored 21 for me with the takeaways.   Can't wait for Myles for return--but today wasn't bad!  

Browns D came through without Garrett- four sacks from Vernon! Ugly game but a win is a win.

Vernon was a beast. Ward had a great game too. Wentz though was awful. Unrecognizable from his first couple seasons. Bad throws and holding onto the ball too long.

 

 

A couple of thoughts after yesterday's game --

 

The Browns offense is getting less explosive. It started the season averaging 26.6 points a game over seven games. Now it's averaging 23.8 points per game for the season.

At the same time, the Browns defense is getting better. It started the first seven games averaging 31.5 points per game. Now it's averaging 26 points per game for the season.

 

The Browns offense isn't getting worse, however. I believe they are changing more into a ball-control, game-control offense. I don't have the patience to measure time-of-possession trends, but it just seems to me that the Browns' running attack (4th best in the NFL -- it should be tops, IMHO) is beating on the opposing defenses until they break. Even if Chubb/Hunt don't get a bunch of yards early on, they will later if the coaches can stick with it. That works as long as the defense can keep the opponent out of the end zone and the Browns can keep going to Chubb/Hunt until the opponent's defense breaks down.

 

A league-wide observation --

 

We may be witnessing a changing of the guard in the NFL, one in which the Patriots aren't a lock to make the playoffs every year and the Browns compete for the playoffs every year for the next few years. Doesn't mean the Browns will become the next Patriots. It means that some assumptions going into a season are changing about which teams are worth watching. It's been 20 years since the Patriots started a season this badly. They are likely to not make the playoffs this year. And...this is the Browns' best start to a season since 1994.

 

The Browns turned 6-3 to 7-3 yesterday. We spent Sunday scoreboard watching to see what other 6-3 teams were doing. And the Browns came out of it pretty good, with only two other 6-3 teams winning -- one is a team the Browns have already beaten (Colts) and another (Titans) the Browns have yet to play. It's Thanksgiving week, the Browns have a hold on a playoff spot, and have a legit shot to keep it.