Well, I predicted Tyrod Taylor could not survive a two game losing streak. Turns out, it took 3 weeks of playing poorly, and a concussion, but here we are. The Baker Mayfield era is upon us. I think, other than the fact it's a long travel game, this Raiders team shapes up as an ideal opponent for Baker to make his first start against. I guess we can thank Gruden for trading away one of the games most dominant defenders, Kahlil Mack, just before the season started. Mayfield should be able to have his way with this Oakland defense. They've had issues everywhere, and I expect the rookie to exploit that leaky secondary... On defense, there is no doubt the Browns can get to Derek Carr. These guys have been opportunistic all season, leading the NFL in creating turnovers, and pressuring the quarterback. The Raiders offense has been inconsistent and mistake prone. Myles Garrett should be lickin his chops. This match-up also has the makings of a big day for Cleveland. Browns need to go in to the Black Hole, punch them in the face at the onset, and set the tone throughout. This is a different Cleveland Browns team. I'm waiting for these guys to explode and really take out some (0-16) frustration on somebody, and I think it might be Gruden's Raiders.... Just don't let it come down to a FG attempt. The last thing I wanna see is the Browns trotting out their kicker to attempt a game winner from the infield dirt where second base should be...If we get em down, step on their throat.
Through three weeks the NFL’s top team in turnover differential? The Cleveland @Browns (+9). 1. Browns +9 2. Panthers +4 2. Dolphins +4 4. Bears +3 4. Rams +3 4. Seahawks +3
Pretty impressive that Cleveland has more than twice as many turnovers than the 2nd place team on that list.
How impressive was that Browns defense down in New Orleans? You saw what that Saints offense did in week one, and yesterday in Atlanta, right? I'm saying it right now, the Cleveland Browns defense is elite...ELITE!
Well, here we go!! We are ride or die from here on out, correct? I mean, Baker will have rookie days...No one is immune to them. But, if he has 2 in a row, at this point it's his team. I want him to grow as much as possible and get as much film put together so that he knows what to work on next off season. We are kicking off the Baker Mayfield Era this weekend, but I think the Baker Mayfield Show kicks off in 2019. I hope to see him reading defenses effectively and continue finding open receivers. This defense without Mack is not daunting. It should give him an opportunity to start to get a great feel for the speed of the game. Last week, he was thrown in the fire and he reacted really well to it, but now, he has a defense that will game plan for him 100% and they will be throwing things at him custom made for him. It will be a different experience, but the level at which Oakland is able to do that, I think Baker should do well. This should be a good game to get ready for another level that comes against the Ravens the following week. Regardless of your thoughts about Baker, the time has come. I'm very excited to see what he can do with a week of preparation. Although, not preparing a gameplan specific to Baker fared pretty well against the Jets. Does Haley pull back the reigns with a score of 0-0 to start on Sunday, or does he try to exploit his strengths and just come out like gang busters? I think they were able to get an idea of some of those strengths Thursday night against the Jets in the comeback win.
Lets not lose track of the specifics of the Raiders game. It is a road game, on the West coast, in one of the toughest places in the NFL for visiting teams. Granted, the Raiders are 0-3-0 but their opponents' record against teams not named the Raiders is 5-1-0. As TD mentioned, this may be the first time that Baker Mayfield has played football on infield dirt. I'm sure there are more but I fully expect the Browns to feed off of the high they experienced last Thursday and try their damnedest to extend that feeling. This should be a good barometer of things to come in the 2018 season. I suspect the Browns will increase their average points per game and will, at least, maintain their average points allowed per game. Browns by 10.
I love that Baker has been named the starter, and I think the Raiders are a beatable team, but this is uncharted territory in so far as we've not won two games in a row since ???, it's the West Coast, and Gruden's Raiders have to believe they can beat "the Browns", and will come at us big time. Oh yeah, we're starting a rookie QB for the first time. I'm excited, but can't shake the Browns syndrome of "how will we screw this up". I'm hoping Baker and the D can help me recover from this disease, but at least for now, color me nervous, but hopeful.
That feeling has gone away in me. Believe me I know that feeling well, I've been living with it for more than a decade. It's actually odd to not have it lingering in the back of my head. I expect this team to win this week. Even if they lose, I feel like it would be because the Raiders play well at home. I can say it out loud, I expect this team to win. Now the following week will be a big challenge. The Ravens are playing good ball right now, but you know what, I don't have that sinking feeling that it's inevitable they will lose. We are playing at a high level also...we are doing that despite some key injuries and losses that we were counting on preseason. This team actually has DEPTH. Who would have thought a little depth would allow you to compete in games when a key contributor goes down... I can't wait for Sunday!!
The last time the Browns went on a heater, it was 2014. They won three in a row beginning with *checks notes* the Oakland Raiders.
FTR... I don't expect the Browns to lose again until they face Kansas City, and even then I think it should be an awesome shootout. That would have them sitting at 6-1-1. Last time they won six in a row? 1972.
I've noticed a lot of fans of other teams keep trying to tell the Browns fans to chill, as if we've just had too much to be happy about lately....Personally, I think everyone is kinda keeping an eye on the Browns this year, and the knowledgeable fans that are really paying attention, are like; "Uh oh."
Only one way for these Browns to go.... Does anyone else think we should just make the uni's we wore Thursday night our main uniform? I thought they looked sharp.
I actually think beyond that, we've had really good luck so far with our starters not missing time. Aside from Ogbah, everyone else is pretty much healthy and accounted for. *coughs* Maybe Hue Jackson's weird technology to monitor potential soft tissue damage and holding out key players from practice wasn't a bad idea after all. *coughs* Sorry. Seasonal allergies. A healthy Myles Garrett for 16 regular season games should be a Möbius strip of continuously breaking the NFL sack record for a season.
Add me to the list. Anything would be better than those high school uniforms! (Although, I do think white numbers would be better.)
