bUt OmG tHe GaMe IsNt OvEr

Great game by the Browns today. Sloppy defense, but they made the stops when they needed them the most.

Mayfield was awesome. Jarvis Landry had a monster day.

Kitchens needs to stay. I'll leave it at that.

We have a QB.

great game today.

Baker....i dunno what to say. the guy is a beast. the throws he made today was beautiful.

Landry had a crazy game today. 1 rushing, 1 receiving TD.

perriman makes clutch plays for us. great find.

defense turned it up in the 2nd half. only allowed 3 points! that was huge. was finally getting pressure on Cam in the 2nd half, and randall with the pick to seal it off was the best way for it to happen!

Team win. Kinda ugly but a W is a W!
Good character/team building win.
D bent, broke at times but they did what was neccessary when needed. Some new toys here and there and this team rides to the top. About time...

Good game today, I had a feeling we would pull this one off.

The interception at the very end was much needed. I'm glad we won and I'm also glad the game is over. When the Panthers got the ball back? It made me nervous.

Still think we need to get our pass rush improved in the offseason. We also didn't have Ward today and that probably hurt. I would love to see another stud on defense somewhere in that front 7.

Super cool to win that game.

Finally the defense stepped up.

Just thrilled with Baker's play. Playing way beyond his years.

Higgins cost us but they hung in there and made the big plays.

Very satisfying.

Great play by Baker Mayfield and the offense. We got away from the run a little, which stalled the 3rd quarter momentum. However, when we came back to the run and screens in the 4th, big plays opened up.

Defense held when needed. We need decent LBs.

Missed XP.

Botched final drive.

Mystery penalties.

Actualy penalties.

We were ALMOST the same ol' Browns, but then the D stepped up and closed it out.

I'll take it! Next year I'd like to see those other things fixed and close out the game properly like a good team does.

3RD VICTORY FORMATION IN 4 WEEKS! LOVE IT!

Nice goal line stand but the Panthers OC really screwed the pooch on that. We haven't been able to stop McCaffrey all day. How does he not touch the ball once in those 4 plays?

Refs dominated this game. Way to nit-picky for my taste. But I don't think they were unfairly biased against us. I think they were just bad.

Baker/Chubb - the future's so bright, I gotta wear shades.

We won!

Baker is "The Guy". No INTs today.

I love Chubb.

Landry had a great day but for the fumble.

Tackling was abysmal. But the D stepped up when they needed to.

Perriman was a great addition. I'm shocked at how well he's working out.

Collins is abysmal.

Great win against a good team.

Biggest thing is we still have all winnable games left. Going to be hard to let this staff go if they keep winning

I would say like other good teams this team did close it out like most good teams. Down by 3 we go and take the lead back AND add another FG, up by 6 we let them run the clock down themselves and got a turnover on downs. Then we take their TO's punt the ball and the defense gets an INT we kneel twice and poof a win. Exactly which part isn't what a good team does to wrestle back a lead in the fourth and take a win from their opponents? We held the Panthers to 3 points in the 2nd half. A good team wins games by any means necessary when they have to and I would argue we just saw the Browns do that today.

Offense was a problem in the OT game

Offense was a problem in the other OT game

Offense was a problem in the Steeler loss

Offense was a problem in some other games, the raider loss.

The offense was a problem today, if not the int, had just given the ball back because they couldn't get a first down.

I remember a game a few weeks back

I typed like, 3rd and 5, (other teams 3rd down) and on about 4 out of 5 occasions the Browns defense made a stop and got off the field giving the ball back to the Browns offense,

These were late 2nd half and 4th quarter drives.

THE OFFENSE
THE OFFENSE
THE OFFENSE

The Browns offense has got to become consistent, on NFL, against good played NFL defense, and it's not there yet!

consistency, running game, overcoming penalties,

making a play on offense.

Despite this big play, all or nothing, 3 and out plus a one play turnover for most of the entire 3rd quarter today.

If the Offense doesn't get consistent, they are going to be in a game that matters, and will come up short.

This team is getting better we hurt ourselves some today with Penalties and TO's but in the end they never quit and got the win ...

Baker was great 18-22 238 Yards 1 TD 0 INT's 126.1 Passer Rating

Jarvis Landry was great 2 Carries 54 1 TD 3 Catches 57 Yards 1 TD

Nick Chubb was very good today 13 Carries 66 Yards 5.1 Avg. 1 TD 4 Catches 17

Breshad Perriman made 2 Important catches for 81 Yards

Damarious Randall had the Game Winning Pick plus he had 8 Solo tackles and 1 Assist

Myles Garrett played great IMO also 4 Solo Tackles 1 Assist 1 Sack (Now Has 12 1/2) 2 Tackles for loss and 3 QB Hits

we had 2 TO's but we got the biggest one at the end and are now +9 on the season. I am looking forward to Saturday Night in Denver GO BROWNS

If the Bengals lose we are OUT of LAST PLACE

Another Thought.

Gregg Williams is on the HUE TWO YEAR VACATION PLAN

" the army, where we do more before 9 am than most people do all day"

" Williams, where we win as many in a 4 week span as you win in 32 plus"

Where is Chubb in the quest for 1000 yards?

Franchise QB - Check
Franchise DE - Check
Franchise RB - Check
Franchise DB - Check

When is the last time the Browns are in the playoff hunt 13 weeks into the season?

Nick Chubb 131 Carries 694 Yards 5.3 AYPC 7 TD's

+1

Thanks! Some work to do...

Yep but very possible with one of his monster games

SWEET!
We beat the Panthers, the Refs, and our own stupid mistakes!

KUDOS!

Baker is light years ahead of where anyone thought he would be!

we were 1-31 now we are 5-7-1 now thats a turn around !!!

If he gets to 1,000 yards this year it will be very impressive. He had very few carries first 3 or 4 games this year.

First winning record at home since 2007

That's with six starts and doesn't include today. Though one of those "non-starts" included his 92 yard run. (3 rushes for 105)

baker went 18/22.

and 3 of those were drops.

I think the Ravens won today, there's still a chance if a tie record that the Browns (having beaten the ravens earlier,) would have the tie breaker head to head to take the division from the Ravens, but they'd have to lose out.

If the stillers lose to the Raiders, and lose out, the AFC North is still within reach.

This team needs to win every freakin week next year

and go 8-0 in the division, the next 8 games, and take the AFC North, next year, and

and this year if they get enough help too.



They got themselves a pretty good quarterback.

ravens lost today bro

Yea and the drop by Higgins would have been for a TD.

Nice win.

Landry's fumble had me steaming.

Baker is proving worth the first pick

Miles was a beast

First half defense was looking horrible

Playing the spoilers is going to be fun

2007.

I didn't get to watch much other than the last five minutes, but I tried to follow on my phone and from that I got the impression that while the game was a tough one, it wasn't as close as the score. If not for that fumble that got turned into a TD for them, we'd have been in command much of the day.

Not that I have any aspirations to go anywhere but a playoff game would go a long way in our growth. Get acclimated to high pressure games. Ehhhh, who am I kidding. Waaaaay too much of a longshot.

Wow! What a great game! I got kinda scared there towards the end. But Randall went BOOM!

Just love this team, and I live to watch Baker play.

And there was a table of Panthers fans sitting behind me at the bar. At first I couldn't figure out who they were rooting for. Because they'd cheer for the Panthers, then they'd cheer for the Browns.

So I turned around and said something to them. And they were like Hey if you guys win it helps us because we want a new coach.

I was all good with those fans.

Good day today.

Well Good!

With no INTS and he's playing at this level HIS ROOKIE YEAR! Mind boggling.

We have our QB.

After the last couple of years, I have to say that it was nice to see the opposing QB throw a late INT to seal the win for us, instead of the other way around.

I think when Cam ran the ball by the sidelines and got thrown down, his accuracy went to pot. He couldn't hit anything after that.

Perriman was a good pick up

He had no arm strength the whole game. His accuracy failed him later. Pain meds wore off?

Have to say, McCaffrey is something special. Loved watching his dad play. This kid has "it".

Hue is that you? LOL

We are finally a team that can finish games. We are also able to still win with a few mistakes. We can finally can trust the defense to make a play to put us in victory formation.

I'm very please and I don't even want to complain about the stuff that went wrong because we are actually winning games.


3 More games to go. We could very well pull off a 7-8-1 or 8-7-1 season. That in itself deserves a parade.

I was also thrilled to see Mitchell out there.

Hopefully, next week we will see Ward back too.

Another box checked off by this team.

few fan bases have been this happy with a 5-7-1 record, but I am, and I'm stoked about the future.

Big plays today: that TD throw to Landry was as good as it gets. What a throw that was, I love Baker Mayfield. I'm so glad Haslam hired Dorsey and not me.

Late in the game, we were inside the five, went to play action and Bake hit Perriman for a big first down. Gutsy, AGGRESSIVE call. That ultimately took a lot of time off the clock.

Hell, we are still in the playoff race and it's mid-December!

Damn you Patriots and Texans for losing today....

I thought our D overall was solid. Gashed at times, but we held them to a FG in the second half and I think Newton seemed confused at times.

Finally, we have a team we can take pride in.

lol. Is Hue a McCaffrey fan?

Landry is a Beast... wonder what he will do if he starts to earn his money...

Baker had a great game

No more dink and dunk

Chub played great

Defense earned their money

Offensive line got called on some holds, but kept Baker clean all day.

Let that sink in.

The kid played an outstanding game today.

The kid could not have been more impressive - literally and figuratively - he could not have thrown better and more accurately. He could not have seen the field better. Guy was an outright stud. Be interesting to see if the Baker boo boys want to give him any credit.

We got ourselves in a bit of a pickle with the fumbles which were so annoying - but after the first 17 points I felt we were always going to win and that confidence never left ... though part of that was the way the D adjusted and prevented the PPanthers from scoring despite 3rd Q turnover and poor field position.

Anyone thinking this was nearly the same as the old Browns - I could not disagree more. . . . Team Growth? Means winning games despite some obstacles and challenges like the fumbles. Team growth means winning despite ticky tacky BS calls where the Refs insert themselves in the game when they should't. Team growth means shaking off bad plays and being backed up on your goal line and fighting back..... THAT is exactly what this team did. I think this is a HUGE step forward for our culture of losing.

And boy don't it feel good.

In spades. Dude is Duke Johnson on roids.

baker is very good. his accuracy and quick release are very good. his knowledge and leadership are very good.

We have to fly to Denver a day early, we need to acclimate.

His pocket awareness and side stepping are amazing too.

yes that's true too .. he manipulates the pocket so well

on the radio they said we're going thursday

Our kicker: he missed the PA (I think he was worried about the guy coming off the edge, after they took a penalty, and tried to 'aim it' slightly left. Just kick it, man!).

But, he also nailed key field goals, the 48-yarder and the one that put us up 26-20. So far, what's-his-face is working out.

Our kick coverage must have been better today because I wasn't bitching about it.

Colquitt has to go to the Pro Bowl, by the way. He's gotta be one of the best punters in the NFL.

I will say Luke Kuechly is some kind of player.

Love to have a player like him.

So exciting to be to win games like this. Makes you just want to play a game tomorrow.

Kuehly is the type of guy we NEED ... a versatile, smart, leading LB

Txt the same thing to friends. He is a stud of the highest order.

I just know Bake woke up this morning feeling dangerous

High props for Freddie Kitchens.

This guy has been a breath of fresh air. Great plan. Play calling was very good.

Freddie has added a lot to this team since taking over the offense. At this point I am hoping he remains the OC next year.

yeah, i like what we've done too ... its not perfect, but its MUCH better

Ravens:
Buccaneers
Chargers
Browns

Squeelers:
Patriots
Saints
Bungholes (Bengals)

Browns:
Broncos
Bungholes
Ravens

Bungholes:
Raiders
Browns
Squeeelers

I think winning the division the best chance for us sneak into playoffs.
Go Raiders!

Bottom line, WIN OUT AND LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY!!!

The loss to oakland is a killer

So was the give-away "tie" to the Steelers.

yeah it was

We gotta get us a Luke Kuechly! The way the rookie LB, Vanderesh (sp?) is playing for Dallas, Lee may be available.

yeah, but he's so injured and older now. it'd be nice to DRAFT one

LB? yes, agree.

A necessary and worthwhile loss in order to jettison Hue and let us see what the team could do with good coaching. Got to accentuate the positive.

AND if we would've had Joseph for the Saints game I'd imagine we would've got that one too

It is an absolute MUST that Freddie Kitchens be retained in my opinion. I mean, how can someone looking in from a far mess that chemistry up. I mean, who would want to? I hope Dorsey thinks highly of him.

Never looked at it this way but its hilarious and necessary at the same time.

I agree TB. The problem is this:

Realistically, the only way kitchens stays is if we keep Williams as HC.

I really don’t want to hire a new HC who doesn’t even have say so over his own staff. That’s a great way to end up having another dysfunctional situation, and we have to avoid that with a young talented roster.

If we want to roll with who we got, I’m all for it. Although I must say, if I was Dorsey, I might highly suggest to Williams that he finds another DC. Whoever he chooses is fine, but I dunno if his son is cut out for it just yet.

Changed it for you!

You guys will learn. When Baker has a clunker you can take it to the bank the next game will damn close to perfect.

I seen that performance against Cincy coming from a mile away.

The most impressive thing about Kitchens wasn't the game plan. Kuechly wrecked whatever game plan we had.

It was the little wrinkles he put in the second half to get the run game going, including going back to that Landry play.

So nice to see good coaching.

He’s a really subtle kind of play-caller/adjuster. Which I really, really like. If you need to change things in-game, there’s no need to go wildly off reservation. Just a little can be enough.

good point

Squeelers just lost to Oakland!

Pretty awesome.

Really liking the thought of Williams as HC, Kitchens as OC, Bowles or Quinn as DC.

It is rare that a failed HC gets another gig as a HC, so Bowles or Quinn may be receptive to working as DC under Williams.

No, it was just you used one of Hue's favorite lines..get's it.

Think about the draft. How close all the qbs were rated as best in draft and how it seemed any of them could have been the first pick, and somehow we got the right one despite most saying he wasnt

lol, okay. Although you may have misread. I was referring to the thought that he has the "it" factor, that undefinable quality that makes him special.

I think that's what made him think of Hue ...

One thing that I did notice is that there is a problem with Cam's shoulder.

He could not rotate his shoulder deep. It made him short arm his throws.

On the goal line stand he had the guy open and failed. Any of his deep throws the ball lost momentum and were short.

He was still trouble but no question he has an impingement of some kind.

I think the team has finally learned how to win.

Watching Tarik Cohen ... we need someone like that to use IMO. Somene that versaitle and quick

Duke has disappeared and isn't the same for some reason

Pretty sure Arians would keep Kitchens as OC

If we make Williams permanent HC, I would really like him to hire a DC other than his son. His son may be an up and comer (I don't know) but he clearly isn't ready to be a DC yet.

I've noticed our defense hasn't been the same the past few weeks .. his son might be the reason

Baker seemed pissed in his presser that the stadium was half Panther fans. Even went so far as to implore fans to come our even though it's cold. Bad look by the fans.

I also have this impression that Baker and Landry aren't the best of buds. I don't think Landry likes being asked about Baker all the time. I don't blame him. Every question out of MKC's mouth no matter who she's asking is basically "tell us why Baker is so great". I swear she is the worst at her job. I also don't see Baker as chummy with Landry as the other guys. He was nowhere near the TD celebration today.

They don't have to be best buds to make it work. Just something I've been noticing.

We are the only team in the AFC North to win today!
First time in over 5 years!
MAN!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/afc...k-14/ar-BBQJywu

This showed the improvement that you want to see.

If not for the Higgins miscues we win by 20.

Still not completely sold on the defense. Cam left plays out there. But hey we made enough big plays.

Collins is either slow or lazy. There are plays when he looks way slow to react.

Garrett was so quick. His get off is hard core.

The OL has played very well for the last few weeks.

Chubb can get those tough yards.

Baker is showing maturity that is hard to expect for a rookie. He is not forcing plays that are not there. His pocket awareness to move when needed and keep looking is outstanding. The throw to Landry for the TD was off the charts. He seems to know when to apply touch or velocity. Even on screens and checkdowns ball placement and the right velocity is so natural for him. You don't see that in young QB's.

You watch him today you don't think rookie.

The last three games should be fun.

- Fun game to be at. Not too cold, but chilly.

- Baker throws a beautiful deep ball.

- Tough game for Hollywood. This game should not have been as close as it was.

- Hat tip to Freddie Kitchens and his use of Landry as well as his play calling all together.

- Now that we have a QB, we can finally comeback and win games.

- Terrance Mitchell, welcome back.

- Love having Damarious Randall on the team. He's a player.

- Myles Garrett made some plays.

- Christian McCaffrey is the entire Panthers offense and he's really good.

- Duke Johnson was conspicuously absent from the game plan.

- I can't believe Mike "Pops" Adams is still playing.

- Browns won a meaningful game in December. Progress.

- Can't wait for the game in Mile High on Saturday night.

I honestly got the impression on the missed PA that it was a bad hold. It looked to me as if the ball had quite a bit of angle to it just b fore he kicked and it went wobbly from m the start.

Ill say it everytime i see his name, we literally traded Kizer for Randall. lol

That’s a Landslide victory in my book. I bet Kizer laughed knowing he got the better deal at first too.

Duke Johnson didn’t practice all week.

I didn't notice, but maybe you're right.

Ah, that's right. I do recall Zegura mentioning something about him being out for personal reasons.

Notes: Defense toughens in 2nd half with better tackling, goal-line stand

CLEVELAND — The Browns defense did little right in the first half.

The Panthers put up 17 points, 256 yards and 13 first downs, as quarterback Cam Newton was 15-for-20 for 185 yards, no sacks and a 103.1 rating.

The defense wrote a different script in the second half Sunday, playing a leading role in a 26-20 win at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The Panthers managed just a field goal and 137 yards and gravity pulled Newton back down to earth.

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Interim coach and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams had a simple explanation for the turnaround.

“Tackle. It comes down to that,” he said. “That was a big emphasis from the first quarter on, but really at halftime, I can’t repeat all of the words I said, but just about tackling. Our guys did a good job with that.”

The defense was stout enough in the second half to allow Baker Mayfield and Co. to take a 26-20 lead with 8:46 left. The game was hardly in the bag, and the critical moments came at the 3-yard line inside of four minutes.

Rookie linebacker Genard Avery and nickelback Briean Boddy-Calhoun stopped receiver DJ Moore for no gain after he took an option pitch from Newton. Then the powerful quarterback with the sore throwing shoulder missed receivers Curtis Samuel and Jarius Wright in the end zone on third and fourth downs.

The Browns didn’t have great coverage but they escaped.

“We’re pretty good at it,” defensive end Myles Garrett said of goal-line stands. “We’ve been doing it awhile now. Every time we get down there, we find a way to make a play.”

“We’ve been in a lot of close games,” free safety Damarious Randall said. “And when you done did that a lot this year, we just didn’t flinch at all.”

Garrett had a third-quarter sack to give him 12.5 on the year, third-most in a season in franchise history. His 19.5 in his first two seasons are the most in Browns history.

The sack came a series after he got up limping then drew a holding penalty on the following play. He had a half-sack and forced fumble erased in the second quarter when a replay review determined Newton threw the ball rather than fumbled as he was being taken down.

The defense sealed the victory when Randall got his team-high and career-high-tying fourth interception with 57 seconds left. It was the defense’s only takeaway in two weeks after 27 in the first 11 games.

“I feel like I had a couple good reads the whole, entire game, but I finally ended up getting one and just happy I can secure the win for my team,” he said.

SLIPPERY FINGERS

Receiver Rashard Higgins had a difficult day that drew a pep talk from Mayfield.

Higgins fumbled on the 17-yard line in the second quarter, setting up a Panthers touchdown. Then later in the half he dropped a ball down the seam that could’ve been a 31-yard touchdown.

“The thing is with receivers, they want to make all of those plays and, yeah, they are going to be very hard on themselves,” Mayfield said. “What I told him was, ‘Hey, I threw three picks in the last game in the first half. You have to bounce back and you have to forget it. It is not about what happened before. You have to make the next play.’

“Everybody has those days. It is nothing we are going to dwell on, and he is going to learn from it and we are going to move forward.”

Higgins caught two passes for 19 yards.

HELD IN CHECK

The Browns were committed to slowing down multitalented Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey and did a solid job. He rushed 16 times for 63 yards, a 3.9 average and two touchdowns and caught six passes for 38 yards.

“Make everything tough for him,” Garrett said of the plan. “Always have somebody who is designated for him.”

Garrett said he’d either knock McCaffrey off his path in the backfield or linebackers Joe Schobert and Jamie Collins would try to run with him. McCaffrey, who has 12 touchdowns in the last seven games, got loose for a 25-yard run and 20-yard catch but didn’t wreck the game like he has been.

“We had to make sure that we put him in a box and make sure he didn’t get out in space,” defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi said. “He’s one of those guys who is very special in space. Once we limited that and tried to get him before he got started, that really helped this win.”

NOT COMING

A pair of potential coaching candidates can be crossed off the list.

Jim Harbaugh told ESPN he’s staying at Michigan, and Iowa State’s athletic director announced a contract extension for Matt Campbell.

They had been connected to the Browns’ opening as possibilities.

EXTRA POINTS

Rookie Nick Chubb became the first Browns player since Greg Pruitt in 1975 to rush for a touchdown in five straight games. He scored the go-ahead 4-yarder in the fourth quarter.

** The Browns allowed a third-quarter sack, snapping a streak of 15 quarters without one, the team’s longest in 30 years.

** Ogunjobi played through an injured biceps and started for the 13th time in 13 games. He had four tackles.

** Cornerback Denzel Ward (concussion), offensive lineman Austin Corbett (foot), cornerback Phillip Gaines (knee), left tackle Desmond Harrison, third quarterback Drew Stanton, defensive end Chad Thomas and defensive tackle Carl Davis were inactive.

https://www.brownszone.com/2018/12/09/no...oal-line-stand/

Funny Baker was right there to give Juice a pat when he jumped back down outta the stands....Guess we watched a different celebration eh?

all landry does is rave about baker too. i dunno what he was seeing.

that one TD where the recievers were celebrating, they were all downfield and mayfield was still way near midfield.

I swore off Browns games and got rid of my season tickets during the Pat Shurmur era.

Well Baker Mayfield is bringing my spirit back, been to 3 games this year and they won all 3.

We're not going to make the playoffs but it is exciting to at least still be in the hunt. Just finish the year strong and carry this momentum into next year. At this point it's all about changing the culture and so far Dorsey has done a hell of a job doing it.

No need to get mad.

Just an observation and something to keep an eye on, IMO.

I could be wrong.

Wrong or right, doesn't mean they can't coexist on the same team and play well together.

And I'll also say that the Cleveland media is literally stupid. They ask dumb questions, they try to find controversy, they try to get under players skin...if I were a player it would drive me crazy.

I think you're reading too much into it. Baker and Landry were very complimentary of each other. MKC was obviously working a story angle, she asked Baker about Landry and Landry about Baker.

Mad? Nah. Just pointing out you didn't quite observe what you thought you did. Nothing more nothing less.

I think the problem is that Duke isn't utilized properly under Kitchen's offense. I saw him line up as a power back today and that's just not his best skill set. He'd be better used in the screen game or wingback style sets as a passing option/perimeter style back.

I wasn't talking about that part, which was well after the play was over. I'm not saying they never talk or interact. I'm saying I don't think they're best friends and that neither like being asked about the other.

Right or wrong, it likely means nothing. I was more interested in if anyone else has picked up on this in pressers and on field interactions. Looks like not.

I'm surprised no one has addressed the other part of my post about Mayfield not being happy with the fan turnout and expressing it in his presser. He seemed on edge after just getting a nice win.

Cleveland Media: Stir that drama pot and stir it hard.

What? No drama?

Let's invent some!

What did he say about the fan turnout in the presser? Not everybody watches/listens to them. They tend to be very boring and redundant, at least for me personally.

Didn't notice anything like that. He seemed keyed up, intense, hyped, whatever you want to call it, but it just seemed like a post win high.

You would think even the Cleveland media would be happy that the team seems to be looking up, but MKC and Pat Mac had totally been badgering Landry about his lack of targets for weeks essentially trying to get under his skin. I mean the questions were cringeworthy. They drive me crazy.

He kind of implored the fans to have a better turnout "even though it's cold".

On TV it seemed the stadium was half Browns, half Panthers.

Well watching videos on youtube and comments within them someone said that the stadium was 80% full?? I also noticed watching that there were quite a few Panther fans sitting in some good seats, alot of whatever shade of blue that is. I was suprised myself considering the Browns have played well at home this season.

I think Baker is a high level competitor and he has bought into the franchise and has gotten players around him to buy in so he expects the city and its fans to buy in as well. I see no problem with that and I would be rather disappointed if a 10 year vet or whomever the franchise QB was didn't give a bit of a nudge in that circumstance too.

I also noticed Baker seemed to carry a bit more defensive body language today but at the same time he still delivered a very solid message and positive vibes in his answers so I honestly didn't read much more than that out of it.

He said something about the stadium being a little on the empty side.

When they were talking about Bitonio’s holding call, they said you drive someone to the ground, isnt that called a pancake? That call pissed me off.

Baker had a really good game, without the drops could have called it a great game.

Everytime Mitchell had a tackle I was worried about him re-breaking his arm. Cant wait to see Ward and him together.

Thought Carrie had a good game, refs kinda screwed.

Was kinda hoping they would run that Landry run play again, but instead of Landry getting it, Baker handed it off to Perriman. Hope we re-sign him. Has really stepped his game, I dont think he has a drop with us yet.

I also thought the miss by Joseph was a bad hold.

There were some empty seats no doubt, but we're a damaged fan base. that happens when you win 5 games out of 50 or whatever that ridiculous stat was.

A lot of people including myself drive from a few hours away when we do go. It's a miserable ride home watching loss after loss, it really wears on you never having any fun.

It's gonna take some time but the seats will eventually fill back up.

Baker is used to a college crowd.

Those are generally way more obsessed/rowdy than Browns crowds.

So.....go buy tickets Browns fans.

If you build it they will come.

J/C

Postgame Thoughts:

1. CLE finally has a QB who is a difference-maker. That changes everything. It makes every game winnable.

2. Nick Chubb is The Real Friggin' Deal. He runs with power. He is fast in the open field. He can be shifty in open space. Dude possesses the trifecta. Barring injury, expect big production from this young man.

3. Browns are learning how to win. One of the things I talked about early in the season. Sometimes, learning how to win looks like last week- when we played a half-game, and lost to a very complete team- because this is the NFL. This week, we scrapped to stay even, were opportunistic enough to take the lead in the 4th Q, and never relinquished the lead. This young team learned how to finish a game that looked like so many games that were finished on us since The Return. It was one of those 'ugly wins' that make up so many data points in CLE's record since 1999.

Can't 'win pretty' until you can routinely find ways to 'win ugly.'

4. CLE D gives up too many YAC. I see way too many blown tackles, whiffs, glancing blows (from being out of position), and 4 yard plays that turn into 12-yard chain-movers. I love that we bent/broke/held when we had to, but damn, Hounds... if Browns wanna truly change their culture, it should begin and end with a commitment to stopping the run. We've been soft since The Return in this regard- and in 2018, we still get gashed. The game has truly evolved in the last 100 years, but it IS still football: if you can't run the ball for yardage and downs, you can't win. If you can't stop your opponent from running the ball for yardage and downs, you can't win. D needs to correct bad run pro/ bad tackling, if this team is to become elite.

5. This current coaching staff is making a strong case for their retention/promotion to permanent positions in 2019. If they can sweep/ near sweep the remainder of the season, they will have survived/nailed the most public, high-profile job interview imaginable. If I'm John Dorsey at the end of a ±.500 2018 season, I MUST give serious consideration to keeping as much of this chemistry as I can, when deciding what CLE2019 looks like.

It looks as if a real chemistry is being built here, at a time when previous seasons of similar headlines portended wholesale purges, roster dumps, and ground-level rebuilds. It would be prudent for Dorsey to carefully weigh what we're seeing in '18 with what we might see in '19.

___________________

It has been a long, long time since I have been this positive/hopeful at this point in an NFL season.

I'm not only looking forward to next year's promise, I'm also still looking forward to the remaining games of this season....

...and it's December.
In Browns Town.


How crazy is that?

Going out on a limb, color rush on a Saturday night.

I think we are wearing the color rush unis at our last home game.

I think Carolina's big mistake was going away from CMC the second half. Maybe it was our coverages or whatever, but he was KILLING us and then kinda got quiet

j/c - haven't read the previous comments yet.

I was very annoyed by one thing the refs did. The Panthers had just scored their 2nd TD, and the Browns had 3rd and 1. Bake handed to Chubb who was hit immediately but kept churning forward. While he still had forward progress the refs whistled the ball dead! He never went down, was still dragging Panthers with him when the refs came in, took the ball, and spotted it back a yard to where it was when they blew the whistle.

Starts at 2:16 on this clip.

Browns Red-Zone Offense....

Last 14 trips into?

14 TDs.

That will Win you games.

J/C

Baker Mayfield - wow. Some of the plays he makes are elite level. His pocket awareness, movement and manipulation of the pocket are also elite.

Kitchens is what an OC is who caters to the strengths of his QB. His adjustments were subtle but worked very well. Bar the fumbles, we win this at a canter.

How often do we lose the t/over battle and win? Hell, how often have we won it and lost? This team has progressed exponentially since Williams and Kitchens were promoted. The comms said that Williams builds a culture and that is evident. They win out they have to stay with the status quo. Williams was far more animated yesterday too. I sensed he felt this was very winnable.

Defense still gives up yards but they stiffened up in the 2nd half - again, adjustments. We now have coaches who seem to be able to make adjustments that work.

Garrett is just a beast. Finally gets a few holding calls today but he was beating their LT like a drum most of the game. We need another penetrating DT, a quicker LB corps and depth behind Ward and Mitchell. If we get that, this D will become top tier. It's very close but it needs specific horses.

All in all, a great feeling. Even when we went 10-6 with DA, it still felt a little like fool's gold. This feels genuine. If we can win 2 of the last 3 I see no way Williams and Kitchens cannot be retained. They have the guys believing that they are no longer the "same old Browns". That is what we have been chasing since 1999 and it cannot be understated.

Oh, and Chubb - he's great too.

I love McCaffrey and Kuechly for them. Man, give them to us and we win the division next year.

I forgot about the play with about 2:50 left in the game ... 2nd and 10 from our own 10 ... and we go PA, Baker rolls into our own end zone basically and hits a strike to Perriman ... what a play

A really funny thing came over me yesterday.. I wasn't even beginning to worry about how we would blow it. Thought never entered my mind.. Very strange feeling, not used to it.

Anyway, after the panthers took it down and went in for a TD, My wife said, oh here we go.. I never flinched.

A pass to Perriman and BINGO. Next thing you know, tied 7-7.

Landry, Geez, best game as a Brown.. This was the find of the off season and yesterday he proved why. He's effective on the field and his mere presents in the locker room seems to have helped the whole team.

Ladies and Gentleman, we have a QB. To have a game like he had last week would have taken a most guys and killed them for a while. Not Mayfield. I'm guessing he was feeling Dangerous again LOL

Higgins had another good game. not stellar but for sure good.

Njoku was solid again. Big catches at the right moment.

Chubb didn't have a spectacular day by his standards but good enough.

Who fumbled,, I know someone did but I must have walked away and missed it. Just saw the aftermath.

Did Callaway catch anything, was he even thrown the ball?

Garrett gets another sack.. What's that, 12.5 so far. 3 games to go... Should be fun to watch.

The D bent but in the end, they didn't break. The goal line stand was incredible although I have to say, that last play of the goal line stand was just a poor throw by Newton.. That was way off.... Maybe the pressure made it happen.

Side note, Newton didn't seem like himself. They said his shoulder was a little messed up..

I can get used to this feeling of winning.

Go Browns!

You think? Two catches for 19 yards. He fumbled on the first one, giving Carolina the ball inside the 30. This was immediately after we finally forced them to punt. Led to a Carolina TD.

Then he dropped a catch on 3rd and long that would have given us the first down, if not a TD. He was wide open, hit him in the hands. We got the FG, but that was potentially 4 points he cost us.

I do not see that as a good game.

If you watch the reply (I did), when they show the guys "at the campfire" you can see over their shoulder in the middle of the endzone Baker is jogging over to the group - he was on his way to celebrate with them.

I know it! I actually thought we'd win the game for the majority of it ... and I always feel confident that we CAN score.

I saw that too. He was just coming from too far away.

I agree, I thought it was his WORST game of the year. He cost 14 points (gave them a TD drive with the fumble, and dropped a probable TD)

Just curious - why do you ding Baker's grade when the receivers drop catch-able balls?

Myles Garrett once again led the Browns’ defense. While he only had one sack, he also caused a holding call and chipped in with a few more pressures and a batted pass.

In the first half, the Browns defense struggled with all the different looks the Panthers used in the run game, but in the second half, the Browns defense as a unit tightened up and only two drives went over 20 yards after that.

Baker Mayfield had the throw of the game where he hit Jarvis Landry 50 yards downfield in stride for a touchdown. Throughout the game, Baker showed his ability to make plays downfield in the passing game and looked like the best quarterback on the field.

Jarvis Landry scored the aforementioned touchdown catch from Baker Mayfield, but Landry also was a factor in the run game as the Browns gave him the ball twice and he was able to take one of those runs for 50 yards.

Keys to the Game
Carolina: The Panthers had every chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, but Cam Newton was unable to lead the team to victory.

Cleveland: The Browns defense did just enough in the second half to secure the victory, but the star performer of the game was Baker Mayfield, who made plays when the Browns needed a play.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pr...eland-browns-26

Now I would have preferred a first down on that last drive and take the game out of the hands of the defense. But we got the job done!

Miles Garrett was a beast...It wasn't even fair. I think he should have been credited for that sack/strip...As the announcer said....I agree with the call but disagree with the rule...

We were trying to strip the ball too much and not tackling in the first half...I understand the mindset...But can't focus too much on either...right???

Landry was ridiculous!!! What a freaking catch on the 51 yarder. 3 guys draped on him and he had amazing focus to make that catch! Although...I bet he was razzed that he was caught from behind by a Middle Linebacker...LOL Of course...that LB is pretty much Superman...even more than his QB...LOL

I love TJ Carries attitude and enthusiasm for the position...But dang that guy holds longer than Super Glue!!! LOL

I was a little ticked about the pancake block that was called for holding....

If you take the stats for the last half of last game and the first half Stats of today's game...Mayfield threw for like 529 yds...3 TD's...and a 137+ rating!!! freaking ridiculous!!!! I have to admit...I wasn't the most excited when he came here...I wasn't sure of his maturity...and How much can you believe in the presses report of how a team rallies to him without seeing it yourself? His arm strength surprised me...Now I feel we have what could be a Brees clone with a bigger arm and the moxy of Brett Favre...People are talking about our rag tag bunch of receivers...seriously...before the season...everyone outside of Landry was thought of as 3rd tier or worse...But now people are talking about this great young group...That is because of Baker.

Speaking of receivers...Is Breshad Perriman a nice surprise or what? He has been nothing as advertised....and that is a good thing!!! It will be nice to see him get an off season under his belt. With Landry, Perriman, Callaway, and Higgins...I am not in a hurry to add WR to the must needs.

What more could be said about Nick Chubb that hasn't already been said? I was excited we picked him up. I actually liked him better than his running mate Sony Michel...Imagine he three headed monster we would have had had we made the decision to fire Haley and Jacskon earlier. Chubb would have gotten his carries and Carlos Hyde would not be in limbo in Jacksonville. He would be a part of this, which is what he wanted.

Someone mentioned that it felt like the "Old Browns" for a sec there...someone else disagreed...

I am going to show my age here and I will agree that it felt like the "Old Browns". The 1984 Browns. My buddy Sam was fired after week 8 and Marty won 4 games for us after. The next year we went to the playoffs in Bernie's first year, and I don't think I have to remind people what happened in the years following. Yes, I do feel like it is the Old Browns...MY Old Browns... and that is a good thing!

I am probably one of Higgins biggest proponents, but he had a poor game yesterday. However, like Baker said, a bad game can happen, like he had against the Texans in the 1st half of that game. They happen, and you just keep working forward.

I keep thinking that sometimes, our expectations don't match reality. Every player has a bad game, example Mayfield in the first half last week...

So he fumbled, and dropped a ball, Big deal, Look at his overall impact to this team this year and you can't say he's not a good receiver.....

Nobody's saying that. They're disagreeing with your statement that he had a good game, and they are correct.

I found it interesting that Earnest Byner was kinda knocking Baker for Higgins' drop. He's the only one I've heard say that

Jamie Collins is going to give me an aneurysm. I am seriously going to pop a blood vessel yelling at my TV. That guy does not play through the whistle EVER!!


I was telling my Father in law that everything about this team feels different. We have two quality young men, studs, one on offense and one on defense that set the tone for their group. A fumble in our own redzone used to feel like a death sentence against a team with Cam Newton on it.....WE ANSWERED RIGHT BACK.


3rd and 15 for previous versions of this team.....DRIVE KILLER....check down for 6 yards and punt. That is not the case with Baker. My whole perspective changes when it's 3rd and 10 and I'm saying "this is manageable for this team".


Conversely, 3rd and long is trouble because teams know Myles is coming. He affects so many plays even when he doesn't touch the QB.


Two tone setters at the most important positions in their unit. The losing is over boyos and it feels so good it makes me think someone is cutting onions in here.

Show your age ... the 84 browns ... ...

Love u dawg .... errrr ... i mean pup ... ...

Wish i was “puppier” ... *L* ...

I was 1 years old in 1984. I have never seen good Browns football live.

This is the best I've literally ever seen us play. I'm 31

Same. I just turned 32.

No wonder why i know so much more than u ... *LOL* ...

That door was just left way to wide open to not go through ... i couldn’t resist ...

I didn't catch that. It clearly didn't jump out at me.

At least we got the first down. That's all that mattered to me when I was watching it live. The clip reminded me that we overcame that "gimme" TD on Higgins' turnover. Something that would have crushed us in the past.

33, and no its not. We played really well the year we actually made the playoffs. And the year with Braylon and Kellen going bonkers.

But the future is BRIGHTER than then yes, but those years were two special ones.

Uh ... can you point to where I said he is not a good receiver? You said he has a pretty good game, and I disagreed with that. You weren't discussing his impact on the team this year, you were talking about the Carolina game specifically.

Higgins is probably one of the most improved players on this squad from last year. But his game YESTERDAY was putrid to say the least. He was bailed out, as its a team game, and I expect him to ball out next week.

Not a single person said he was trash or a bad player, just had a putrid game.

What is sad is that you all 30 somethings feel those years were special - 2002 and 2007 or something.

Special was 1980, 1986, 1987, and 1989. Shoulda, woulda, coulda...

They were, and should be special for you too.

80,86,87, lets be honest man, each day that goes buy someone less people have any idea of those games. They literally are HISTORY now they were than long ago.

FYI, it was a different team as well

sheesh... we are all getting old. I will be 38 in a few weeks. smh

I firsts joined the board when I turned 23. crazy how time flies.

It's a different team than it was in 2002 and 2007 as well.

*L* yes sir, ... We had the Cardiac Kids not long before the Bernie era too.

Sipe was probably even shorter than Baker, ... But that was the time of the orange
pants too.

Those eras were interesting and the seasons were fun, but what I remember most were the crushing defeats. Red Right 88, The Fumble, and The Drive will forever be permanently etched on my soul. The only thing that could ever possibly ease that pain is a Super Bowl win. I just hope I live to see it. Baker, Garrett, Chubb, Ward & Dorsey give me hope.

Yes, so true, we lived and died with them, but at least we where alive

1st time poster here, so please bear with me if I don't do this correctly.
Have followed the dawgtalkers site since its inception. Appreciate the posters, especially Vers, Tab, Pastor Mac, and many others who keep it real. Posted this time since it was about age, history of team, etc.
I'm 64, old enough to remember December 27, 1964. Browns 27, Colts 0! Watched it on a black and white tv. The star running back at that time and myself have the same name, hence my being a lifelong fan! I believe we lost to the Packers the following year. The eighties were amazing, yet heartbreaking. Going to work the next day after those stunning defeats was nearly impossible.
Used to go once a year to Muni to see a game. If they won, you didn't notice the cold so much!
On a personal note: I prefer the original brown and orange colors to the newer hues, and have always loved the brownie elf (still have some vintage bubblegum cards).
My one pet peeve about chat sites: spelling, sentence structure, etc. Guess I am showing my age!

Anyway, appreciate the discussions, and am grateful for this site.
Go Browns! Woof Woof!

45 years young here but being a Browns fan ages you 10x, so 450 in Browns years.

Welcome home! And there is no such thing as "incorrectly"...simply post what you see/feel.

Thanks!

My first year of really becoming a Browns fan ended in Red Right 88. The 80’s were fun. Let’s hope the next decade is even more fun...less stuff like ‘the fumble’ and ‘the drive’. More stuff the Lombardi.

And better yet, we still are! lol

Welcome aboard! I was alive but wouldn't have understood what I was watching, so thanks for the story. I can only imagine what it would have been like to be a fan at the height of their success in the 50's and early 60's.

Those subtle moves Landry made to avoid the defenders were something to behold. Probably his best play all year... Toss up between that and the laser thrown TD catch between two defenders at the beginning of the game.

I wholeheartedly agree. Absolutely. Doesn't mean those were special years. They were.

Especially for some of us who have never seen winning football unless we were watching another franchise.

At 66 we are of an age.
If you saw JB play live you can't be anything else but a Brown's Fan.
He was Magic!

lol, love Baldy's breakdowns of Baker. He's in love.

U coco puffs dawg .... as Mr. T would say .... oh crap ... all i know is sumptin about being a fool ... *LOL* ...

His best play was the CATCH against the Jets ... that was the play that SIGNALED we had ARRIVED IMO ... that was the signature play that set the tone for who we were bout to become ... and WHAT A THROW IT WAS ... it took BRASS ONES to throw it and trust VICE GRIPS to go and get it between the two defenders in a not so normal or easy catching position ... some would say the degree of difficulty on that one was about an 11 on a scale of 10 ...

To me ... that was his best play SO FAR with us ...

u say pOtAto ...... Safety looked like he was hanging on him.

j/c...

Is that "By Anyone" - or the deepest by Mayfield?

I guess either way it might be somewhat impressive - but to truly WOW me he needs to be a little calmer in the Pocket.

That throw still amazes me. 3rd and 17 and in years past I am up and getting another drink. Bake strapped on the big boy pants and delivered on one heckuva throw.

Now don't you be a blasphemin the orange pants.

Mayfield & Bitonio


Garrett & Peppers

A nice way to finish up my games in Cleveland. Went up for 6 games this year. It was a nice drive home, even if 9.5 hours.

We have a heck of a QB, and while we may not keep the current coaching staff, we now see what having a competent coach can do for the team. It's been night and day since Hue was asked to leave town.

What a waste of time that was.

I here you brother, its a struggle cause there always getting it rong.

Knot a gain.

Awesome to see four Browns get those honors.

I had a lot going on yesterday and was only able to catch glimpses of the game. That said, there were some throws by Mayfield that really stood out and were really outstanding NFL throws. I'm not surprised at all to see him on there.

Don't be a stranger Jimmybrown.
Post often what ya see and what ya think. I'm pretty sure you will get opinions of all sorts. Ha

Not really dinging, just saying he would have looked even better without 3 dropped passes.

I'm jumping in here since I was a fan in '54 and for a long time all I knew was Browns as Champions or competing for one. Given that bonding experience it's hard to give up on them even over the last 20.

It'll come around sooner than later and it's unbelievable how great it feels to experience. Their first Super Bowl win will be very special certainly to younger fans but just as much to we older ones.

Hope you all get that experience soon with this regime. I'm optimistic.

Thanks for sharing the passion, Chet. I've loved the team since I started watching, even though there has been a lot of heartbreak. I can only imagine the pride you would feel seeing them hoist the Lombardi.

"It's Tee-Ball, Baker Plays Tee-Ball"....

Lol. Love it.

the accuracy on that pass is incredible

As an aside, I watched highlights of the 49ers - Broncos game. The Broncos were killed by George Kittle, the 9ers TE. Literally killed. With Mullins at QB, who looked very decent by the way.

I feel good about that game, match up wise. I like their RB (Lindsey?) but Keenum didn't look all that. Their D has Miller and Chubb but if we can do the same as we did to the Texans, protecting Baker, I think the game is very winnable. They probably feel the same but I like our chances with Baker and Garrett hunting Keenum down down. If we can contain their run game, I think we win in similar fashion to last Sunday. The key is getting in front IMHO and making them pass.

#jinx

This is gettin' old. In a good way.

Blaspheme? Nah! Just making a parallel observation.

Jimmy is every Browns fan who enjoyed the incredible play. Doug is every Browns fan that is waiting for a flag to negate the touchdown.

https://twitter.com/J_MillerTV/status/1072542513427288066

Hee hee has turned to woof woof ...

Just speaking as a football fan, the first half was very enjoyable, a lot of offense, some big plays.. second half was painful, penalty on every other play.. no flow to it..

Browns looked pretty good. Made some mistakes but overcame them.. I thought the Higgins drop on the seam route was going to be huge if we lost.

Kuechly is a beast.. if I had a shortlist of players in their prime I would love to have on the Browns, he would be near the top of it.

I am not jersey guy. I've owned one the last 10-12 years and it was a gift. It happened to be a Winslow jersey. Threw it away due to recent events.

So I'm trying to get my wife to root for the Browns and told her about how Mayfield supports Special Olympics. To further my quest to turn her into a Browns fan I ordered her a Mayfield jersey. She'll wear it because of the Special Olympics thing.

While I was at it I ordered me an Ogunjobi. He's quietly become one of my favorite players, he's got a cool name, I love the way he mean mugs the camera after a play in the backfield, and I love his backstory.

This is your main leader. Baker Mayfield. Not Jarvis Landry. Not Christian Kirksey. Not a coach.

Baker is the one that inspires everyone to keep playing hard. Baker is the one players trust to bring them back into a game when the team is behind. Baker is the one everyone rallies behind when it matters most.

Baker might finally be our franchise QB. What a wonderful feeling.

Baker Mayfield, the person, is the leader players will gladly fight alongside. That's Baker, the person.

J/c

I'm about to be 41, so I'm in that last generation who got to grow up with actual Brown's football. I was always undersized, but when i played i aspired to hit like Eric Turner (ok, so i bounced a lot, but i still made the tackle lol). I wasn't old enough to cuss and swear like my dad and uncles, but i was old enough to understand the stupidity of "Metcalf up the middle??!!" 4wks before they announced the moving of the team i spent my hard earned paper route money to buy a Leroy Hoard jersey, that i wear to this day


These certainly are exciting times!

I remember hearing the same things said about Bernie Kosar...

Mayfield isn't going to make every play or pull out victory every time.. but the dude isn't going down without a fight.. got to love that.

You heard the same things about Joe Montana. The heck with Kosar.

So my friend and co-worker Jim (long time Panthers fan and season ticket holder) has been walking around the office all day in my Jim Brown jersey, paying off our wager.

If I lost, I had to wear his Keuchly jersey all day.

and this is the first day all week we have been in the office at the same time.