DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum What's Left To Play For?

A lot!

First, if this has been brought up already, my apologies. When I logged in today, it showed that there were over 1000 new threads in this forum. I am on multiple times a day, so something's screwy.

While it seems we have a mathematical chance at the wild card, I am not counting on it. Too much of our chances relied on other teams doing what needed to be done, and that rarely works out on the level that we needed.

So, our miracle season will fall short of the playoffs. What is left to play for? As I said before, a lot.

Forget not making the playoffs. Outside of the posters who think we will make it every year. how many of us really thought that was going to happen this year? Most of us were thinking 4-6 wins and the hopes of being competitive. Well, we did that. And, in case you have Diam on ignore, there is a ton of reason for optimism.

This was a year of laying the foundation going forward. Even though we are young and still have a lot of room to grow, teams do not want to play us now (in my opinion. No, I do not have a link).

This was a year of ending streaks. First was ending the losing streak (without winning). As the season went on more streaks were broken. A win. a divisional win. A road win. A divisional road win. A win against Denver. We will not have a two-digit loss total this year. No AFCN team will sweep us this year. That 0-16 team is well in the rear view mirror.

In these last two games, we will see what we're made of, as we are playing mostly for pride. We still have a chance at a winning record (imagine that, from 0-16 to 8-7-1. A 8.5 game improvement in one season). We still have a change to have a winning record in the AFCN. We still have a chance to sweep two divisional rivals.

It feels so different. Not since the 80s have I felt this way about this team, that we have a future.

You bet, Dawg.

Next 2 are STATEMENT GAMES.

The statement of 4-1-1 in Division and WE HAVE ARRIVED!!!!!!!

Feels like 85 when Kosar's arrival came and what was about to happen next.

This time we need to FINISH THE JOB.

I want to finish the season with a winning record. Everything else be damned. Draft picks or whatever. Who cares. I just want to win. It's not meaningless to me. It'll be the 3rd winning season I've ever witnessed.

Agree with both posts. This is the 1st time in forever I don't want the season to end!!!

Lots!

We are here to show the world we are no longer a joke/pushover. Bubble guys are here to show they belong on this team. Guys like Perriman still have a lot to prove to the world. Baker is not the type to pack it in, ever.

Continued progress and W's I fully expect us to win out.

Losing to the Bengals with a backup QB at home would be a huge step back. I expect a win this weekend.

I'm not sure how all this works out because I don't keep up with all the different permutations of who's in and who's out, but I would love for the Ravens to be in a win and they're in situation the last week and we knock them off.

Two very big games. It's important for next year to finish the season strong.

Win out, continue the cultural shift away from the factory of sadness. Hopefully also ensure Balt doesn't make it to the playoffs

Being above .500 is a big step for this franchise ... but honestly, I'm concerned about Cincy. Driskell has looked solid

We have the ball rolling. I want us to keep the good going. Plenty to prove. Anybody have room to improve? Let us just flog this season for all it is worth, if nothing else to attract other players & coaches.

Last 2 games are division games... That's all that needs to be said.

Agreed. I expect to beat Cincy. And i'd like to beat them because Hue is there. Not that i have anything against Hue, but it's the Battle Of Ohio, and he's our old coach.


And nothing would make me feel better than to beat the Ravens in a win and in game.


I'd like to make the playoffs, I get that that's very unlikely now, but there's nothing more that i'd like than to go to Baltimore and beat the Rats on their turf to keep them from making the Playoffs. A nice little present for Baltimore

My biggest thing is changing this culture from an excuse making, we tried hard but lost, we are a young team, play for a higher draft pick & whatever justification for losing ideas I have heard, mentality.

I want a winning record, especially when I thought 5-6 wins would be a big improvement when we started the year.

I want to crush the Bengals, just because.

I want to ruin Baltimore's season.

I want Pittsburgh to lose to the Bengals so we have the best division record.

Earn league respect.

Stop the Browns jokes.

Feel good again. I remember the late 60s' and early 70's success, The Kardiac Kids years, Bernie. I want that back.

I forgot what it was like to be enthusiastic about this team this late in the year.

I just wanna see good football and improvement ....

I expect us to kick the ever living crap out of Cinci .. and i mean a COMPLETE LEAVE NO DOUBT BUTT WHOOPING ...

They were not a very good football team with Dalton and now there completely horrendous with the rookie QB and no AJ and Boyd went out last game ... there D is HORRIFICK ..

I expect DOMINATION in this game ...

Very very very much looking forward to seeing just how far Bake and the O have come against the Rats D ... THRILLED with whats going on ... the texans game was a gauge ... we made adjustments and played much better in the 2nd half ... other than that we’ve moved the ball against some pretty pee poor D’s ... again ... THRILLED with where were at ... just wanna see how far we’ve actually come and that will be another good gauge for that ...

What's left to play for?

Dignity
Setting up for next season
Keeping Williams and Kitchens
Pride
Sense of Accomplishment
I could go on, but you get the drift

Sweeping both the Bengals and Ravens would be icing on the cake of our awesome come back story.

A couple thoughts...

Bengals winning and losing now have very little to do with Hue, but it's fun that people like to include him. I also have no ill feelings. Missing out on the playoffs this season was on the old coaching staff. Thankfully we relieved them of their duties.

I think the 4-6 win projections were form those who bought into the old coaching staff complaining they didn't have enough talent. We probably have more talent than half the league. Mayfield was underrated, not only was he the best rookie this year, but he was one of the best quarterbacks in the league, top 10 for sure. Future is fun.

I'm with ya'll and would prefer to win out, finish 8-7-1 than trying to set us up for a better draft pick. If we are desperate for a player earlier we could trade up. I don't condone or think that will happen.

I think we'll beat Cincy, but we will have a tough time vs the Ravens. If we win both that'll mean a lot. with 6 7 or 8 wins I think we will take a second to evaluate the current coaching staff for the future. I think 8 wins might have us evaluating for 2 seconds... Kosar's first year we were 8-8, less teams in the league and the playoffs back then, but we won the division. Steelers and Browns 8-7-1, Ravens lose 2 for 8-8 and Cincy goes 1-1 for 7-9, it almost feels like a win. But not really.

And then, and this is somewhat irrelevant but fun to see... we still have a few possibilities as to whom we face in 2019. We could finish 2nd 3rd or 4th in the division. We play the AFC East and NFC West next year... Like I said this isn't something to care about, but it's something I like to watch ever since they started this format.

Here's to the prospect of 8-7-1.

What others have mentioned: establishing a winning culture, sense of accomplishment, earning respect, etc. Winning another game for the fans, especially this one coming up at home against the Bengals. I don't know how many Browns fans will be there, but however many it is, kudos to them for still showing up despite the product that's been on the field in recent years. It is getting better, obviously.

Also, the Browns are still technically alive for a wild card spot. It's very, very unlikely of course, and requires cooperation from several teams, including a tie between the Colts and Titans in week 17.

All things considered, it's thousands to one against the Browns making it, even if we win the next two. For those who want to pain themselves rooting for it to happen, it is still remotely possible. Here's how:

- Browns win out
- Baltimore loses at Chargers [and vs Browns]
- Miami loses at least 1 of their last 2
- Indianapolis loses vs Giants
- Tennessee loses vs Washington
- Indianapolis and Tennessee tie

Religious folks could then say, "see, we told you so."

If we're still the Browns then it'll all happen but Indy/Tennessee will be won as the clock hits zero in overtime on a 55 yard FG kick, and from Australia I will hear the deafening sound of every TV in Cleveland being smashed with the nearest heavy object.

If we're still the Browns then it'll all happen but Indy/Tennessee will be won as the clock hits zero in overtime on a 55 yard FG kick, and from Australia I will hear the deafening sound of every TV in Cleveland being smashed with the nearest heavy object.

[/quote]

As disappointing as that will be, I would still be very happy with the season. When you win 1 game in 2 years, 8 seems like a super bowl.

Win out. Plant that flag on the 50 of the AFC North and make the statement that the North will run past the shore of Erie yet again!

Wow. Browns open as 7 pt favorites this weekend.

The playoffs.

Sure, it's a long shot...... and the odds of the Titans and Colts having a tie in week 17 are slim.. but there is still a chance...

Other than that, what's left to play for?

Pride, growth as individuals and as a team, 2 more games to grade the current coaching staff, a winning season...

But perhaps most importantly, if we could knock the Ravens out of the playoffs.. I'll take that too.

What I care most about the last two weeks is staying healthy. No major injuries! Next year this team can make the playoffs! The idea we would do so this year was silly. We were too far behind to make that up. Next year, if we hire the right coach and don't do something stupid like a switch to a 3-4 etc. We should be right in the thick of the playoff hunt! Imagine how good this team could be with another great draft like the last one? It's a shame we will have to switch systems on both sides, but still, this team could be really good next year!

For the coaching staff they're playing for their jobs. And from the looks of it, the players are playing hard to help keep those coaches here.

I do not know about you but I always enjoy beating are division

Each other

Actually we are a bad spot and a missed FG in week 1 and 2 from winning the division outright....not that far off or silly at all.

Shift from the Factory of Sadness to the Bakery of Dominance? (or Optimism?)

These last two games continue the auditioning for next season. Both for players and coaches...

How about the fans....the sole reason professional athletes are able to get rich playing a game? Let alone the years and years of heartbreak we've had to endure. I'm finally really, really looking forward to watching a Browns game in Dececember.

/thread

4-1-1 in the division, 8-7-1 overall, knocking Baltimore out of the playoffs, and making a BIG statement going into the offseason just to mention a few things ...

I love it. I was expecting at least a couple people to come on here and complain that winning out screws up our draft order.


I want them to win out to shut up all the talking heads and ex-players who love to go on the 100 different NFL shows and use the Browns as a punch line. I want them to win out for all the players on the team that have had nothing but losing their whole careers. I want them to win out so that they can look at FAs that have made comments about never wanting to come to Cleveland get told there is no place here for them.


I want them to win out for the greatest fanbase in the NFL. I want them to win out and get the taste of losing completely out of their mouths.

I think there's a time where it's not so bad to lose games to improve your draft stock and there's a time to win out to start winning. We're in the latter category.

There are some games we could have won along the way and maybe we draft #3 the last couple seasons (same positions), and we end up with Solomon Thomas and Sam Darnold instead of Myles Garrett and Baker Mayfield.

That's about the best thing I can say about the last coach. He was so completely terrible but at least he got us a couple #1 overall picks.

We have the franchise cornerstones in place. Just win baby. Create a winning vibe for the franchise, win another home game for the fans, gain some momentum for hopefully a special 2019 season.

"What's Left To Play For?"


Everything.

WE did that too many times in the past 20 years. Draft order be darned, I want to win them all.

Pride!!

Winning.