DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2023 NFL Season Looking Back: Browns 36 Texans 22 Post-game discussion

Honestly hoping there is a way for the Ravens to slip up and for us to win the Division.

Great game. Just a great feeling to be in this position, wonderful Xmas present.

Here's to smashing the Jets.

Hopefully the 9ers give us a Christmas present tonight.

Thinking back to the overwhelming hopelessness we felt and how the life was sucked out of us when Mister Chubb went down, this team has won games facing adversity like no other.....and that's not an embellishment. The Browns leadership has led this team thru uncharted territory, overcoming one horrible obstacle after another....like it's business as usual. Flacco has been an amazing story, but we beat the two best teams in the NFL without him. This season will go down as one of the most memorable in Browns history. And it's faaaaar from over.

I agree with the fun part: this team is fun. They are together, believe that we will win, give a lot of effort, and have good personalities.

I was thinking the same thing. Flacco brings maturity and experience. If we'd have had him all year and a few fewer injuries, like Chubb and our line, damn, we'd be unstoppable.. I'm convinced of it.

Some teams (and some people) actually do better with one arm tied behind their back, so to speak. When they have the full complement of resources they over-think and misuse their tools. It’s kind of a “paradox of choice” problem.(There’s a great book, Tedtalk, by Barry Schwartz about it.)

But when the ingredients list is seriously curtailed, they get much more intentional and direct in their approach. I found myself wondering yesterday if that isn’t Stefanski. His first season he’s hit with the Covid limitations for practice and prep. This year it’s the unbelievable avalanche of injuries.

Insert Flacco, who has nothing to prove, is just playing for the fun of it and to show off for his kids, coupled with a team that anyone who’s actually keeping track would give a pass for losing against halfway decent opponents and you have a team that probably doesn’t feel the performance pressure in the same way other teams in our position would. That’s my take anyway.

The old saying that there’s no more dangerous an opponent than the one with nothing to lose kinda holds. At this point, I wouldn’t want to play against us and I wouldn’t bet against us. The “wild card” moniker that comes with our entrance to the playoffs is apt to say the least.

Saw Texans fans reacting on social media that it was the injuries that caused them to lose.


Yeah, I don’t really want to hear that excuse…

lol thats like the pot calling the kettle black

Still very happy about the win.

Now regarding a couple of the comments.

We have to face the fact that the running game may not return this year. The Browns are on their third right tackle and second left tackle this year. Patchwork at its best. There was a reason as to why the players were backups or free agents. Yet, the Browns manage to stitch together wins in all manner and form.

The job of a head coach is to adapt to the skill set of the players, in order to win games. I feel that KS has done exactly that. I know that there will be chatter above what he has and has not done, and second guessing the Cleveland coach is a time honored tradition here. But, this year, the coach is doing exactly what he should be doing with success. Good job, KS.

No coach has a right to go out and win with 4 different starting quarterbacks, and that win was with style.

So cut the chatter, and enjoy the ride. It has been a great year, totally unexpected after Chubb, then Watson went down.

I agree Woofer.

Regarding the running game, it's going to be difficult. Even with the group that is out there now, it's hard to gel when there is always someone coming out for an injury or missing a game. That's not taking in account what you already said about our tackles.

One thing that is tipping this off in my opinion is look at all the variety of run plays Stef has been calling the past few weeks. A decent portion of the running plays have been a misdirection or trying to use visual deception with the linebackers to confuse. Think about last year or the beginning of this year. Most of the running plays were more smash mouth, basically saying we are going to line up to run and you aren't going to stop it. Now fast forward to the past few games. You are seeing more of unconventional running formations like: Hunt in the shotgun, Flacco out wide, faking the toss back to Flacco and running (or flipping it to him for a pass).

At least the tackles have been serviceable in the pass game.

I agree, Damanshot. Flacco's maturity is evident; apparently some QB's do not rust as fast or as badly as others. A real difference that I see is Flacco's composure. As we pass more, he seems truly calm at the snap despite the replacement linemen or those playing injured. He is smooth reading, moving the D, and usually throws on time from the pocket smoothly. It seems more confident and assured when contrasted with Watson's snaps, not all of them, when he freezes and flushes, until he delivers a ball as he freelances. Both have success; I don't care who wins us games or how. We need Watson's legs more than ever; the stats for Flacco have been fun. The picks, not at all. I just favor the mesh I am feeling with Ski and Flacco, and it seems that it may be building. I hope the D can compensate for our diminished run game. Unleash the Elf! Go, 'Niners!

Being on the verge of clinching the playoffs is just the best feeling ever. I'm so excited! I feel we have the talent and the coaching to hang with any team.

It is a great feeling and one we don't experience much as Browns fans. The Pats and Raiders helped us out. Let's hope the Niners can too!!!

Last time we made the playoffs was awesome, but I didn't feel the same about that team. I really like this year's team (and think we can play with anyone)

Our D keeps us in any game. Now that Flacco is hooking up with Cooper and Njoku, even if our run game is suspect, we’re a legit threat to any team. I’ll fear no team we will play in January.

reasonable to think Browns at AFC South champ then, optimistically, at Baltimore.

would have loved a home game but lets take it to them.

I like the idea of taking our guys out, especially with how many injuries we've had... but maybe we took them out just a little too early... but frankly, if we get the on-side kick we could have left our backups in

Either way - hell of a game. Cooper is amazing! Not only setting the most yards for a WR in browns history, but at least 3 catches were highlight reel... unbelievable...

and I know we were playing the Texans' backup QB, but defense was on point! It would have been interesting to see how we faired against CJ...

hoping Hopkins heals up... glad we signed a back up, especially for Thursday... but we need Hopkins healthy...

Dominate win... especially on the road against a team trying to make the playoffs and win their division.... great game...

Now, let's finish the season right and go into the Playoffs hot..

You know, I actually don't disagree with any of this. It's just been a long time since we've had a QB who can deliver the ball like Flacco is doing. It's been a long time since we've seen this team come together in the face of adversity with all of these injuries and tough it out by continuing to win football games. It's been a long time since we've seen this team gaining momentum going into the playoffs. In a scenario which on paper would seem as though the Browns are a team that couldn't possibly be winning football games, they are.

So while I'm certainly not trying to dissuade you from posting as you wish, I hope you can understand why some fans would prefer to put the negatives on the back burner just long enough to enjoy the moment for a while. It's a moment in time like one they haven't had in a long time. Sit back , breathe and enjoy it while you can. It might be worth a try.