it depends which two we win ... if we win in Cincy and Houston? we're a lock
If we win vs Chicago and the Jets, not so much
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
That depends on the opportunities that them stacking the box opens up downfield. If stacking the box exposes the middle of the field wide open, yes, you take advantage of that.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
IMO, this is about as solid of an endorsement of Flacco starting from here out as you're going to get. I was as curious and hopeful about DTR as anyone, but if Flacco can get other players to fear our pass-catchers again, sign me up.
Fear the Browns pass catchers again ?
Were they ever feared ?
The Browns are one dropped pass less then the leagues leader in dropped passes KC Cheifs
Chiefs have had 32 dropped passes
The Browns have had 31
Who's going to fear those pass cathers ?
Yeah... fair point.
I would argue that Njoku was well on his way until his recent bout of stonehands-itis. Cooper is a reliable route-runner that can make the tough catch. So far, Moore hasn't lived up to the post-trade hype.
There is no level of sucking we haven't seen; in fact, I'm pretty sure we hold the patents on a few levels of sucking NOBODY had seen until the past few years.
Eli has started to produce because he’s feeding off Flacco. The old guy is chucking the football around the ballpark. If we can get to the playoffs we can beat anyone.
it depends which two we win ... if we win in Cincy and Houston? we're a lock
If we win vs Chicago and the Jets, not so much
No "lock" unless you remain 2nd in the div. not 3rd or 4th. which could happen if Pitt beats Cincy, then Balt. takes a dive in final week against pitt. Pitt would then have the tie break over Cleveland, five and one vs. 4 and 2 in the div. record.
After last night's games looking at the Standings is pretty amazing.
The Niners and Ravens are the number one seeds. We beat both of them.
Here we are on Dec.12th in full control of our destiny. We actually could not only win the division but also have the number one seed.
Four games to play and I take no game team in the NFL lightly. We still have a lot of work. But damn it feels good to be right in the middle of the NFL world instead of looking at the Draft.
I always live in the moment while at the same time keeping an eye out on the future. If not I feel I would miss the enjoyment of the moment and also not be prepared for the future if I focused all of my attention on one or the other. I'm simply saying that if the draft were all Browns fans had to "look forward to" right now, to some extent even that would be discouraging.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Because I’m lazy can someone tell me what the hell our offense line looks like now? Who are our starters left to right? One thing Flacco will definitely need is protection.
"Team Chemistry No Match for Team Biology" (Onion Sports Headline)
Mary Kay Cabot @MaryKayCabot · 6m #Browns left tackle Jed Wills Jr. underwent arthroscopic surgery this morning and is out for the season, source says
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
We are making the playoffs with our entire 3rd string! Yippie!!!
There are 4 teams in the AFC that are not going to make the playoffs that are in the mix or ahead of the line today.
and, It is likely 2 of those will be afc north teams, really, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh are fighting for ONE playoff spot, Whoever ends 2nd behind Baltimore, because the other AFC teams won't let up and have easier schedules.
The Browns could still very well miss the playoffs.
Can Deshaun Watson play better for the Browns, than Baker Mayfield would have? ... Now the Games count.
Flacco is a 100% pocket passer who excels with protection.
Yes and no. He's certainly not a rushing threat, that's for sure. And he does excel with protection. However what I have been surprised by is his escapability. Both in being able to sidestep pressure, maintain his balance while delivering the ball with defenders draping onto him due to his size and strength and his ability to just read the coverage quickly and seemingly just flip the ball out with little to no effort 30 yards downfield.
He's not a top NFL QB but he's helping put points on the board like they couldn't do before and is leaps and bounds better than anything else they have.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
How about this Positive scenario, AFC playoff seeding, I KC, twelve and five 2. Baltimore twelve and five 3, Miami, eleven and six 4. Indianapolis Eleven and six five, Denver, Eleven and six 6. Browns, Ten and seven seven Cincy, Ten and seven, ... Jaguars lose 3 of 4,
Browns at Miami, Browns Win Cincy at Baltimore, ... Cincy wins Denver at Indianapolis, Denver wins < wild card round
Divisional round, Cincinnati at KC, Cincinnati wins Browns at Denver, Browns win... And what would that set up my friends?
Your Cleveland Browns HOSTING the AFC Championship game against lowly Cincy, two wild card teams, played in Cleveland Browns stadium, Browns WIN,
and go on to face, the ... Cowboys in the super bowl, where the Browns would WIN. In epic fashion knocking off a cowboy team that had won I3 straight and fifteen and one in their last I6.
Making Your 2023 Browns the greatest team in NFL history.
Can Deshaun Watson play better for the Browns, than Baker Mayfield would have? ... Now the Games count.
we have an old gunslinger who rode into town to set things right. We’ve gone from run-first to chucking the pigskin around the park, because we have to.
If there’s some sorta potential magic thing that happens with this team from now on it’ll be because there really is no realistic expectation that they’re supposed to win at all at this point. I mean, no one can look at our situation and think it’s just a normal late season set of injury issues. It’s like the football gods chucked a couple grenades in our locker room. I can’t remember it ever being this bad. We’re combing the waiver wire for whole position groups. I still don’t know what the OL looks like that’s protecting our 57yr QB.
So, maybe we play fast and loose, dirt-lot ball, take chances, big gambles, just play for the fun of it. I hope so anyway. Would hate to see them go out all tight sphinctered like the chargers last night (who’ve also have some pretty horrendous injury issues). I mean, even if we do make the playoffs we’re fielding a team where something approaching half the players haven’t taken starter reps in practice like ever. So you play it to make the other team play like crap, be super unpredictable, have fun. No one wants to fight someone who has nothing to lose and is capable of anything. Maybe we lose a couple in blow outs but maybe not. It’ll be interesting to see how the next 4 weeks play out but I’ll be exceeding suprised, nay, shocked if we win more than 2 of them.
"Team Chemistry No Match for Team Biology" (Onion Sports Headline)
If there’s some sorta potential magic thing that happens with this team from now on it’ll be because there really is no realistic expectation that they’re supposed to win at all at this point. I mean, no one can look at our situation and think it’s just a normal late season set of injury issues. It’s like the football gods chucked a couple grenades in our locker room. I can’t remember it ever being this bad. We’re combing the waiver wire for whole position groups. I still don’t know what the OL looks like that’s protecting our 57yr QB.
So, maybe we play fast and loose, dirt-lot ball, take chances, big gambles, just play for the fun of it. I hope so anyway. Would hate to see them go out all tight sphinctered like the chargers last night (who’ve also have some pretty horrendous injury issues). I mean, even if we do make the playoffs we’re fielding a team where something approaching half the players haven’t taken starter reps in practice like ever. So you play it to make the other team play like crap, be super unpredictable, have fun. No one wants to fight someone who has nothing to lose and is capable of anything. Maybe we lose a couple in blow outs but maybe not. It’ll be interesting to see how the next 4 weeks play out but I’ll be exceeding suprised, nay, shocked if we win more than 2 of them.
Why would they go out all tight and nervous? First game of the year they lost their starting RT. Next game their pro-bowl RB. QB & OL has been a turnstile. DB room is down.
It's been like this all year and the coaches have done a very good job of focusing on the next game. WE are 8-5 and numerous posters on here predicted we would win 5-7 games all year, without the crazy injury situation.
If anything, the team should feel confident because of the success they have had despite previous injuries. I don't think pro players, for the most part, are doom and gloom. They have to have a level of confidence.
But who knows, really? It could all come tumbling down tomorrow. But that si no reason to run scared and abandon your normal game plans.
How do the players react to the load of injuries? If a player is second or third string on the depth chart. He is schooled with the idea that his number can be called at any time. He has to prepare that way. He must know his playbook and the game plan for the team they are playing. He has to study film on the opponent.
These guys have been on the team usually for the whole year. They have trained and worked hard. They want the opportunity to play and contribute.
They have a position coach. They are in a room with players from their unit. They have resources to help them be ready to go.
Until they get their chance to play. We really do not know how they will do. Maybe Hickman and D'A Bell will do fine?
For myself I have learned over time to not have game expectations. Turn on the game and see what happens.
The passing D as a group does better when DZ Ward doesn't play, and I think a set of times has shown that, but, individually DZ Ward is a really good CB and for that they want to play him, As Unpopular as noticing that they play better when he's out may be, I think it's notable. anyway, he's returning, so that's ehhh maybe a good thing. facepalm.
Can Deshaun Watson play better for the Browns, than Baker Mayfield would have? ... Now the Games count.
I think we at best have barely 2 wins left due to attrition. Chicago and NY.
Chicago just destroyed the Lions, so I wouldn't chalk it up as anything for certain.
Are we going 0-4 to finish it out?
If the Bills win out, b/c easy chargers, raiders? whomever, and if Cincy wins out b/c they have to, one more loss about ends them b/c they have no afc record or div record favorable,
and if one of the Colts, and Texans stays with the jaguars
then a very good ten and seven Browns team could miss the playoffs b/c cincy ended up eleven and six and the Browns ended 3rd in the afc north, but Well, if there is only a 2 way tie for a particular playoff spot , if it were the bills and Browns
the tie breaker would be, or could end up common games minimum 4 which would include the jets and the bengals
so basically, Winning that final game in Cincinnati, just like the NFL always wanted, and despite all your hard work so far, may end up being the ole If you win you get into the playoffs, but if you don't your year is over. even if you have ten wins going into it,
the AFC SUCKS to be a part of, and the AFC North Double so
... Hey report is Aaron Rogerz may be back in time to play against the Browns, who would have thought it,
Can Deshaun Watson play better for the Browns, than Baker Mayfield would have? ... Now the Games count.