Rise to 2nd Place, And Eye A Playoff Birth
The Cleveland Browns, after 10 games in a season that has had more hurdles than a Marc Summers Double Dare obstacle course, are a respectable and surprising 7-3 coming into Sunday’s matchup against the one win Jacksonville Jaguars. I’m sure the team is ready for a road trip after 3 straight games on the North Coast with weather that was uncooperative. The hail, rain and wind had Clevelander’s conjuring a dome or retractable roof next time. Last Sunday, the Browns handled the Eagles, 22-17, without their star DE, 95, Myles Garret and the Defense played for him racking up 5 sacks of Wentz; with 2 interceptions. The all-pro backfield ran hard against an elite defensive line for a deceiving 116 yards and a TD. Baker managed not to turn the ball over and make plays when asked, throwing 12 of 24 for 204 yards. The first year head coach, Kevin Stefanski, has to be proud of the productivity of the Orange and Brown.
With 6 games remaining the schedule is 50/50. Half the teams have winning records, but if Pittsburgh has its bye wrapped up and first overall in the AFC, by week 16, the Browns could see the 2nd string and an easy W. The team for the most part has avoided the trap game; losing to an opponent they should definitely beat. The Jags have my attention, they’re due.
Joe Jackson and Sione Takitaki of the defense tested positive for Covid and the team facility was shut down Wednesday. Team practice was held virtually. In addition, Garret was ruled out for Sunday’s game. With 5 players testing positive recently, maybe playing in the elements has aided in the infections; the Browns never catch a break.
The Jags, a big bother of sorts, entered the league in 1995 and have had similar issues as the 1999 expansion Browns but this team has playmakers. The offense run by Jay Gruden is structured around James Robinson, the Jaguars rookie RB out of Illinois State. He has 762 yards on the ground, 249 receiving, and 7 touchdowns. The wide outs are solid and lead by Chark Jr and Cole. Too bad Jake Luton will be throwing to them. The defense is home to leading tackler, 85 so far, LB and former Cleveland Brown Joe Schobert. Although the Jags rank at the bottom for total offense and defense, they are number 1 in special teams; something to look out for.
Kevin and Baker need to have the team focused after the leftovers of Thanksgiving have become too much to bare, the Covid, and the trap game. The Brownies cannot get busted looking ahead to formidable opponents in the Texans and Ravens. The players, coaches, and staff need to personify who the Cleveland Browns are through the hail, the drives, the Covid, wind, and next years, to show up at TIAA Bank Field and Grind It Out! It won’t be pretty, it hasn’t all year, but it has been enough and I’m thankful this Thanksgiving to cry about us losing a trap game; instead of praying to Touchdown Jesus for a win against a bad team.
