The Cleveland Browns pulled off the biggest road comeback in NFL history last week against the Tennessee Titans. It was tied for the 3rd-biggest comeback of any team in NFL history. There was a celebration afterwards which I think was well-deserved. Now that it's over, it's time to move on and look towards the future.
I love seeing the Browns coming together, I just wish they didn't put themselves in a position to HAVE to make that big of a comeback. The first half was abysmal on both sides of the ball. Once Locker got hurt, the Browns were playing against his backup. This wasn't Andrew Luck they came back against. So while this game should be celebrated, there were some events that had to line up right to make it happen.
Buster Skrine may have improved, but he looked slow out there against the Titans receiving corp. Until Justin Gilbert can make the leap as a solid NFL starter, look for this to still be a hole in the defense.
But there are a lot of positive things to look forward to. Ben Tate's comeback was huge. He has something to prove since the two rookie RB's did well in his absence. I think he's regained his starting role, at least for now. But even if he goes out again with an injury, which is likely, there are two more-than-capable backs who can fill in the literal and figurative holes.
Brian Hoyer, who I've supported since his three wins as a starter last year, has the 8th best QB rating in the NFL of 72.1. Only Rivers, the Mannings, Romo, Rodgers, Luck, and Glennon have better ratings this season. The Browns were also the last team in the NFL to turn the ball over, which they did against the Titans. Not bad that they lasted until week 4. I'm not saying Hoyer is the 8th-best QB. I am saying he is more than just a serviceable starter; he's good. He may not be great, but I think he's good enough to get us to the playoffs and do some great things there. Manziel is looking more and more like just a distraction. Hopefully we can admit our mistake in picking him and grab a second or third round pick for him. Maybe the Cowboys will take another Browns QB. It is Jerry Jones after all.
They're doing all of this without their best offensive weapon in Josh Gordon. He comes back in about 6 weeks now. Imagine what they'll look like offensively with arguably the NFL's best WR back.
Cleveland is now a respectable 2-2, and they lost their two games by a mere 5 points. It hurts that both of those games were divisional games, so they'll have to win out the last four to have a good chance of winning the division. I think they'll take third this year, maybe second. But Mike Pettine has them playing very well, even in their losses. I wouldn't be surprised to see them win the division which is arguably the NFL's toughest.
Doesn't it just feel different, Browns fans? This new coaching staff, a new owner who cares, a new GM who has been nailing it in free agency. We have a QB who actually WANTS to play for the Browns since he grew up a Browns fan. We have the best wide receiver, left tackle, center, and arguably cornerback in the NFL. We have two very good safeties, a great linebacker, a great D-line, three really good running backs, and a very good (and young) left guard. There are some holes, but every team has holes. This Browns team is learning how to win, and in extraordinary comeback fashion. They're changing the Browns culture. We may not make the playoffs this year, but if things keep going like this by everyone involved, they'll see some playoff success in the next two years.
No comments:
Post a Comment