Considering just how inept the Lions have been and for how long, Campbell getting COTY is perfectly fine with me. All media awards in general I really couldn't give a shit about. Wins and playoffs are where it's at. Although sometimes the recognition, including Myles getting DPOTY, would really be nice.
That said, who really needs to recognize the coaching job, probably more than anyone - are Browns fans themselves. We're a couple bad bounces off turnovers at wrong times away from 8-2 possibly even 9-1. That includes a QB just starting to find his game, injuries to your starting RT and all-pro RB. This success has been a combination of good coaching, effort, and being on the receiving end of a little good fortune of our own.
Even using backups, this team has one loss on the season outside of a single score - the Ravens 27-3. That includes two double digit holes they had to climb out of for wins with San Fran and the Ravens last week.
This team has been bad for so damn long, a playoff push made us impatient and wanting to build Rome overnight. There is still a bit of "same old browns" in the air. Even being 9-8, with some wildcard appearances and wins, goes a long way towards erasing those memories and building a culture where Cleveland at least becomes snyonomous with being competitive and worth the watch. How many times did we shut off TV's on Sunday's and go do yard work while we chugged along to 3-13? Exactly. Stefs first season, go to the playoffs. 2021 happens and things turn sour. 2022, and if you didn't have a defensive line that wouldn't even start in the Pac-12, and you're likely looking at another wildcard shot with Jacoby Brissett as your QB.
Here were are in 2023, even with a ton of injuries, still in playoff contention. Hell, possibly still even winning the damn division, while heading into week 12. That is not the usual for this squad for 20 years, and it needs to be appreciated.
As for the game itself. Both coaches, Stef and Tomlin, played a game that was Tresselball in a nutshell. Patience, defense, punting and field position, not wanting to risk any turnovers.
The downside being that, once again sometimes our defense can't take themselves out of the aggressive mode. This is why I referenced Jaylen Warren in prop bets. This defense lives off pure Havoc rating. They thrive on TFL, TFNG, sacks, PD and turnovers. But when they're not creating those, they have a nasty tendency to give up big plays doing so. Something we're just going to have to learn to live with, I suppose.
Still, I'm damn proud of this team and happy at the win. Everyone enjoy their holiday, eat a ton of food, watch a ton of football, and most importantly - Fuck *ichigan.