This past week, the Browns took out the Atlanta Falcons on the road with a down-to-the-wire finish as Billy Cundiff kicked a game-winning field goal to edge the Falcons 26-24. So far this year, the Browns are 3-2 in games decided by a field goal or less compared to 0-1 last season. In games decided by a touchdown or less, they're 4-2 this season compared to 3-4 last year.
This game was also the first game back for Josh Gordon who turned a spectacular performance of 10 yards on 8 catches. Crowell ran for 88 yards and 2 TD's while Hoyer threw a back-to-back 300+ yard game. A Browns QB hasn't done that since 1983 when Brian Sipe did it.
The Browns have a lot going for them right now. They're right in the mix for the last few playoff spots. Right now, the AFC standings sit as follows:
1. New England (9-2)
2. Denver (8-3)
3. Cincinnati (7-3-1)
4. Indianapolis (7-4)
5. Pittsburgh (7-4)
6. Kansas City (7-4)
7. San Diego (7-4)
8. Cleveland (7-4)
9. Baltimore (6-4)
10. Miami (6-5)
Despite being tied for the 4th-best record, Cleveland sits at #8, two spots out of the playoffs if the season ended today. If Baltimore beats New Orleans, Cleveland will fall to #9. Basically everyone holds a tie-breaker over the Browns. In order for Cleveland to make the playoffs, they'll have to win more games than at least two, possibly three of the teams currently at 7-4. Indianapolis will still stay at #4 even if they drop games because they're leading the division. The Browns have games against Cincy and Baltimore which could really help them move up.
Fortunately, Kansas City plays two tough games in Denver and Arizona as well as other 7-4 teams in San Diego and Pittsburgh. San Diego has three tough games in Denver, San Fransisco, and New England with two against 7-4 teams Baltimore and Kansas City. Pittsburgh has the easiest schedule playing Cincy twice and Kansas City. Cincy has Denver, Pittsburgh twice, and the Browns. Baltimore plays New Orleans today on the road, San Diego, Miami, Houston, and Cleveland.
Just judging by the schedule, it's hard to see San Diego winning enough to make it in. If Kansas City loses to San Diego, it's likely they'll lose to Denver and Arizona. Here's what I think will happen:
Kansas City loses to Denver, Arizona, Pittsburgh, and San Diego while beating Oakland. They end up 8-8.
San Diego loses to Denver, San Fransisco, New England, and Baltimore while beating Kansas City. They end up 8-8.
Pittsburgh loses to Cincy once while beating New Orleans, Atlanta, Kansas City, and Cincy once. They end up 11-5.
Cincinnati loses to Pittsburgh once, Denver, Cleveland, and Tampa Bay in an upset. They beat Pittsburgh once. They end up 8-7-1.
Baltimore is going to be the wild card in this group. If they lose today at New Orleans, they fall to 6-5. I think the Saints get the upset. They then lose to Miami and Cleveland. They beat San Diego, Houston, and Jacksonville. They end up 9-7.
Miami is at 6-5 but have enough games left to alter the landscape and possibly move up. They lose to the Jets once and New England. They beat Baltimore, the Jets once, and Minnesota. They end up at 9-7.
Cleveland has a tall order in front of them, but if they can pull out 3 wins in the next 5 games, they'll have a good chance to grab the sixth spot in the playoffs and a game against either Indianapolis or Pittsburgh. They lose to Indianapolis but beat Buffalo, Cincy, Carolina, and Baltimore. They end up at 11-5. Who would've thought?! Even if they drop one of those four, they can still end up at 10-6.
The return of Josh Gordon makes all of this possible. The emergence of Crowell and West at RB really helps the Browns to play their style of ball while now having to respect Josh Gordon deep and Andrew Hawkins over the middle. Miles Austin is a great #3 receiver.
The biggest loss on Sunday was Tashaun Gipson. We'll learn more about his injury this week, but if he is out for a long period of time, the Browns defense might have too much to overcome with Dansby still out.
If you read my blog, and hardly anyone does, you know that I've been a Brian Hoyer supporter since he went down to an injury last year. He is 10-4 as a starter with the Browns, and most of that was without pro bowlers Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron to throw the ball to. Hoyer has had some bad games; but has still found ways to win games. With him, you have to take the good in with the bad. This past effort, he threw for more than 300 yards. Browns QB's just don't do that. But he also had three picks, two of which were his fault. This wasn't typical as he was the last QB in the NFL to throw an interception this year. On the year, he has 11 touchdowns and 5 picks. Those aren't terribly great numbers. He throws for 254 yards a game; still somewhat mediocre. He's 11th on the list of total yards, 15th for yards per game, and 20th for QB rating. He's got about as many attempts as Alex Smith of Kansas City (325) while completing about 30 passes less than Alex. He's actually dead last in completion percentage at 55.9%.
Those stats don't make me feel great. There are other ones that make me feel better. He has a better QB rating in the red zone and in the last two minutes of each half. He gets better as the game goes on. One of my knocks on Manziel is that he got worse as the games went on playing against college defenses. The Browns need to get better on third downs though.
If Hoyer seems like he's the guy going forward, we need to get him paid and trade Manziel. We should still draft another QB this year, maybe third or fourth round. If Hundley, Prescott, or Cook drop that far, that would be perfect. If he's not, then let's get our franchise guy in there. Please, anyone not named Manziel. Can't emphasize that enough.
Should be exciting to see the Browns try to clinch a playoff spot!
