Cleveland's house of horrors lies ahead. Will we vanquish the ghosts of Elway, and complete the transformation into a winner? Let's hear it.
Denver is one of those places where records don't mean much. It's a distinct disadvantage for the visitors because of the altitude alone. Then you factor in the crowd and noise levels they produce regularly, and it's among the toughest environments in the NFL. I'm hoping, even though it's a short week, the Browns head out there a little earlier than normal, so they can acclimate. The good news is, Denver is very beatable if you can withstand the other factors. Case Keenam is an average QB. They just lost their TE Jeff Heuerman to season ending injury, their best WR (Emmanuell Sanders) to an achilles injury, and traded away their other top WR (Damarious Thomas) a couple weeks ago...On the outside, one of my favorite players from last year's draft, rookie WR from SMU, Courtland Sutton, is Denvers biggest threat. He shouldn't be taken lightly, as he is a big receiver with a tremendous skill set. Other than him though, Keenam's options seem to be very limited in the passing game... The main concern for Cleveland's defense will be to contain Denver's sensational rookie RB, the undrafted Phillip Lindsay, from Colorado. He's been quite a story, and a definite threat.. If we can do that, we should be in great shape to potentially pull the upset. Maybe Lindsay is finally hitting the "rookie wall" a bit, as he is coming off of one of his worst outings Sunday in San Francisco... On offense, Baker must keep his head on a swivel at all times, and get the ball out quickly. Denver's pass rush is no joke. Bradley Chubb is the real deal, and we all know what kind of havoc Von Miller can create. A heavy dose of Nick Chubb, with some well timed screens might be the key for success. Denver gets aggressive in coming after the QB, and they leave themselves susceptible to well timed screens, which is something I think Mayfield is very good at... All in all I really like the Browns' chances....Prediction coming soon.
Tough to gauge Denver. They're not a good team on paper... haven't been since a broken Peyton Manning won a Super Bowl there, mostly due to atrocious quarterback play. As @TopDawg mentioned, this year they're different because they finally have a running game. So far this year, they've lost to good teams and beaten bad ones. Basically, same as the Browns. This is a big one for Cleveland, and not just because of long-shot playoff implications. If they can beat Denver, a team that on paper they're better than, and string together some wins, it will go a long way towards the goal of "learning how to win" as a team and growing through this very bizarre season. One thing Kitchens has done very well this season is plan for tendencies on the opposing team. Hopefully, he took note of a very poor San Francisco team throttling them through the air with the tight end. Kittle had over 200 receiving yards and a score... Browns need a big day out of David Njoku.
I still don't know what to make of this guy. He's a physical mismatch against almost anyone that tries to cover him, but his production just isn't there. Njoku has very inconsistent hands. Seems to have at least one big drop every game. I hope he works on that focus and concentration because his potential is still sky high. I'm not sure how well he understands all the nuances of the game of football. Either that, or he just makes too many mental mistakes. He should be deadly on those plays where Baker extends the time to get open. Instead, it seems more times than not, he runs himself out of the play in those moments. Baker doesn't have any rhythm going whatsoever with his TE, and that's been a disappointment IMO.
One of our former castoffs, CB Jamar Taylor, was released recently by Arizona and signed by Denver. He is expected to play against the Browns this week. Might be a good idea for Baker to single him out on the field and go to work on him.... I wonder if Nick Chubb can throw? I've noticed the last few weeks that when he runs wide, the LB's and Safety's really pursue hard to the ball carrier because he is so tough to bring down. A little halfback option pass might be a good call. If nothing else, it'll certainly give em something to think about.
Not so bold prediction: Get ready for a massive dosage of "The Drive" and "The Fumble" replays before and/or during the telecast of the game.
Oh, it's already started. They were chirpin about those 80's Browns/Broncos games this morning on Good Morning Football, just as soon as they mentioned their exclusive Saturday night game.... Seems like any time a professional sports team from Cleveland is in a marquee (Nat TV) game, for some reason the media are always obligated to mention all of our past heartbreaks in every sport as if it's in their contract to do so. You can pretty much count on it. Our misery has been that epic evidently....smh. I just try to ignore it, but it's hard to do. Cleveland fans represent a very passionate fan base, and everyone knows how bad we want to win...
The ghosts of Denver past probably effect us fans more than the guys wearing the uniform, but they are very real for us, and will be omnipresent while we watch our heros battle Denver. Many of us "lived it", and still watch Byner in our heads crossing the goal line, before realizing he'd lost the ball. Ouch, that really hurt. Make it go away Baker.
The series where one team owns the other are real and transend time and logic. Like the Bears losing to Miami. They always lose to Miami in Miami. Denver has a curse on you guys and those things are hard to overcome.
Thanks for the encouraging words, Gid. Now, try to win one stinking game against Brady in Foxborough. (or a game in Oakland)
I told Tim that if you guys win this game then you are going to be alive heading into week 17. That would involve no upsets either.
Crazy Crextin Mad Musings I get that every Tom, Dick, and Penishead analyst is going to rehash the rivalry from the 80’s and all the Browns heartbreaks throughout those years. Things are different now, much different. Defensively, as much as I like how Williams has the Browns Playing, I’m going to have to give Denver the slight advantage here. This is mostly due to injuries to key players. Chubb and Miller are a formidable duo and are wreaking havoc on opposing offenses. Garret and Ogbah aren’t quite the same tandem. Plus we are hurting(possibly not as talented) in the middle. Denver’s secondary and LB corps are very comparable to Cleveland’s. Call it a draw. Key Injuries on both sides. Chubb and Lindsay are very comparable at RB. With Sanders and Thomas no longer in Denver (Injury/Trade) I’m going to have to give CLE the nod here. Where I think the Browns are going to win this one is with our rookie QB. Keenum is a solid QB( and most definitely NO ELWAY), but it is obvious that something is missing in the offensive dynamic in Denver. Keenum just doesn’t look like the same guy he did last year. Mayfield is playing lights out and making throws I/we haven’t seen in from a CLE QB in a very long time. Spoiler Crazy Crextin Mad Predicition... Mayfield leads CLE its own version of “The DRIVE” late to win the game. 31-27 Browns HERE WE GO BROWNIES HERE WE GO WOOF WOOF!
I think we'll see more of the same from Baker Mayfield Saturday night. He's both efficient and spectacular, at the same time, which is not easy to do. I'm more worried about the team acclimating to the conditions than anything else. Browns are definitely playing a more confident brand of football right now, and that is all about #6.... I just heard that Denzel has been ruled out. That sucks. We get a CB back from IR, and then we lose one to a concussion. No doubt the plan will remain the same on defense. Bring the pressure and force the turnovers...I can see Garrett getting in there and knocking it loose from Keenum a couple times. Win the turnover battle, and win the game... Browns 27, Broncos 19
I'd love our chances with Ward in, but with him out it's still ours to lose IMO. Lindsay, and the pass rush will be the keys for Denver. I hope Freddie has a good plan for dealing with the pass rush, and that we keep running the ball to keep them honest, or it could get ugly. One thing I'm certain of: Baker will keep playing to win no matter how hard it becomes, and his team mates will "believe" till the final snap. Freddie has done very well in providing enough protection and unpredictability to make me have confidence we will be ready. I can't wait to actually "see" (Philly TV mkt) the Browns play Saturday. Go Browns
Time to exercise the demons of the past... Baker Mayfield was brought here to do JUST THAT. Time to move on from those ghosts and create new, exciting and fun traditions, like getting ready for the playoffs annually.
Browns starting to get some "love" from the national pundits. Always scary, but there are voices out there picking the Browns to win in Denver! A prime time game for the Browns! That's news in and of itself, but a 50/50 game, in a place of endless woe for Cleveland, playing against a ferocious pass rush including "the guy" most people thought we would take in Bradley Chubb, sets up quite the story. I like our chances. I think Baker shines in big games. He likes it. I'm hoping we rotate our D linemen so we are prepared to lock it up in the 4th quarter.
I had Sirius NFL Radio on this morning and all 3 picked the Browns... Scary, yet exciting all at the same time!! The one said it came down to Broncos defense vs. Browns offense...He said the package should be able to control the game for the Browns. Another said they were dead even, until you get to the QB and Mayfield is simply playing so much better than Keenum right now that Mayfield will win it for the Browns.
