The Official 🏈 - WEEK 10 - ★ CLE 33 (+6½) ▪︎at▪︎ BAL 31 Game 9 🏈 Nov. 12 ★ A big "W".

[Neo]

32 minutes ago, Dutch Oven said:

I'm not going to get crazy and predict a Super Bowl win, but...

San Francisco was being given the Lombardi trophy earlier this year until they played the Browns, and lost. Then, Baltimore became the darling of the NFL, until they played the Browns yesterday, and lost. 

This team can beat anyone. 

This team can beat anyone, as long as the following occurs.......

1) The team approaches every game with the same hunger and sense of urgency as they did yesterday.

2) Watson stays as healthy as possible and continues to clean up some stuff while playing with confidence. It is clear the WHOLE team is behind Watson.

 

[Dutch Oven]

3 minutes ago, Neo said:

This team can beat anyone, as long as the following occurs.......

1) The team approaches every game with the same hunger and sense of urgency as they did yesterday.

2) Watson stays as healthy as possible and continues to clean up some stuff while playing with confidence. It is clear the WHOLE team is behind Watson.

 

Yes. 

Just so no one misunderstands, I'm not predicting shit. Hell, I predicted a 7-10 season and Stefanski getting fired.

But this team can beat anyone in the NFL. This has been proven in spades, twice. 

I honestly do not remember a Browns team that I could say that about. Hell, even in the 80s, I had some serious doubts about those teams beating the cream of the crop of NFC teams. 

[bbedward]

8 minutes ago, Neo said:

This team can beat anyone, as long as the following occurs.......

1) The team approaches every game with the same hunger and sense of urgency as they did yesterday.

2) Watson stays as healthy as possible and continues to clean up some stuff while playing with confidence. It is clear the WHOLE team is behind Watson.

 

3. The refs don’t call 3 phantom pass interferences in the end zone against the browns in the afc championship 

[Neo]

1 hour ago, Dutch Oven said:

I honestly do not remember a Browns team that I could say that about

Exactly. The Browns of a couple years ago would have been done when the Ravens scored those two quick touchdowns. This is a different animal, everyone's in on the fun, just look at the post game locker room. Regardless of what happens next, its going to be fun to see what happens.

[Dutch Oven]

5 minutes ago, Neo said:

Exactly. The Browns of a couple years ago would have been done when the Ravens scored those two quick touchdowns. This is a different animal, everyone's in on the fun, just look at the post game locker room. Regardless of what happens next, its going to be fun to see what happens.

This team, especially the offense, can be sloppy as hell. 

But this team has heart. 

This coming Browns vs Steelers game is going to be bananas. I have a feeling I'll see a fight or twelve in the stands. 

[Flugel]

4 minutes ago, Dutch Oven said:

This team, especially the offense, can be sloppy as hell. 

But this team has heart. 

This coming Browns vs Steelers game is going to be bananas. I have a feeling I'll see a fight or twelve in the stands. 

I'll say what I said before our last matchup with Pittsburgh.  If the Browns want to beat Pittsburgh, they have to have a plan for TJ Watt.  Their other edge rusher Highsmith is just as relentless.  I wish we were healthier at the tackle positions; because those 2 goofballs are the strength and soul of their team.

I DO think we can run on them - we just can't get careless in pass pro.  Gotta be well prepared and focused.  Sloppy won't beat Pittsburgh.  They suck out every game they win vrs just 1 or 2 moments their opponent lacks focus.  I hope our Fortress at RT is back this week.

[Bob806]

5 minutes ago, Flugel said:

I'll say what I said before our last matchup with Pittsburgh.  If the Browns want to beat Pittsburgh, they have to have a plan for TJ Watt.  Their other edge rusher Highsmith is just as relentless. 

I know, to me its absolutely ridiculous that TJ Watt runs basically free, unabated to the QB 25-30% of the time no matter who the opponent is. The Steelers do a great job scheming him around, or opponents are kind of dumb. 

[Flugel]

2 hours ago, Dutch Oven said:

Yes. 

Just so no one misunderstands, I'm not predicting shit. Hell, I predicted a 7-10 season and Stefanski getting fired.

But this team can beat anyone in the NFL. This has been proven in spades, twice. 

I honestly do not remember a Browns team that I could say that about. Hell, even in the 80s, I had some serious doubts about those teams beating the cream of the crop of NFC teams. 

Great points.  FWIW, we're not here to prove how well we predict.  Like I've said before - I'm Nostradumbass.  Our 11-5 team in 94 beat Dallas and Philly.  Those were the last 2 Defenses I thought we'd be able to run Leroy Hoard down their esophagus; but neither had a solution despite how much talent they had on their Defensive Lines. Belichick said something along this line with an ear to ear grin "Leroy Hoard is so damn physical."  True story here, Hoard ran so hard he made the Pro Bowl at a position he never even played that year - Fullback.  

This year's team beating Baltimore was one of the best feelings I've experienced watching this team in quite some time.  I love knowing we haven't even seen our offense at it's best yet.  

[Dutch Oven]

It sure does feel like Buffalo's window of Super Bowl contention is shutting fast.

Josh Allen can't do it all himself, and he's starting to turn into a turnover machine. Two more interceptions so far tonight, a NFL leading 11 for the season. (Does have 19 touchdown passes though)

[Orion]

I hope they're working somebody else out to handle punt catching.  I know it's only been one game, but that DPJ trade hasn't done anything for us yet.  Tillman is basically just running around out there and we fumbled away a punt.

[nickers]

16 minutes ago, Orion said:

I hope they're working somebody else out to handle punt catching.  I know it's only been one game, but that DPJ trade hasn't done anything for us yet.  Tillman is basically just running around out there and we fumbled away a punt.

Does anyone get the vibe that Randy Moss cursed him (Tillman) when he proclaimed him the best WR in the draft?

[Dutch Oven]

6 minutes ago, nickers said:

Does anyone get the vibe that Randy Moss cursed him (Tillman) when he proclaimed him the best WR in the draft?

Usually people who believe in things like curses are superstitious simpletons. 

So I'd guess you'd probably be alone on this one. 

[bbedward]

28 minutes ago, Orion said:

I hope they're working somebody else out to handle punt catching.  I know it's only been one game, but that DPJ trade hasn't done anything for us yet.  Tillman is basically just running around out there and we fumbled away a punt.

Well, that DPJ trade won’t do anything for us probably ever. We decided almost nothing (late 6th round pick in 2025) was better than renting DPJ for the rest of the year and getting nothing when he walks.

Though to be fair, DPJ was ass on punt returns this year too. If we’re rolling ford and hunt 95% of the carries maybe strong can be the punt guy. 
 

as far as receivers go though, I’d rather have DPJ on the team.

[Orion]

37 minutes ago, bbedward said:

to be fair, DPJ was ass on punt returns this year too

I thought he had improved to 'ok' with punt catching.  His first year they had him doing punt catching and it was a hair raising experience.  My departed best friend in the world, Vikings fan, was a punt catcher.  He told me once, I'm not a real good punt returner...but I make sure that I catch the ball.  He never muffed a punt.  And his team never put anybody else back there.  

[TexasAg1969]

7 hours ago, Orion said:

I thought he had improved to 'ok' with punt catching.  His first year they had him doing punt catching and it was a hair raising experience.  My departed best friend in the world, Vikings fan, was a punt catcher.  He told me once, I'm not a real good punt returner...but I make sure that I catch the ball.  He never muffed a punt.  And his team never put anybody else back there.  

As a two way player at S and WR I fielded punts, but I had never experienced fielding an NFL level punt until I went with my friend who got drafted in the 2nd by the Colts to field punts for his roommate Steve O'Neal who now holds the NFL record for longest net punt at 98 yds. We were doing so for a scout from the Oilers who wanted to see O'Neal first hand. His punts were so high with so much hang time I never thought they'd ever come down, but when they did the velocity was like something I'd never experienced. They were damn hard to catch before the age of stick 'em or sticky gloves.  

 

 

[Flugel]

8 hours ago, Orion said:

I hope they're working somebody else out to handle punt catching.  I know it's only been one game, but that DPJ trade hasn't done anything for us yet.  Tillman is basically just running around out there and we fumbled away a punt.

I liked DPJ too; but I'll cut Proche some slack just this 1 time since he had a pretty good first game with the Browns the week before.  The Ravens were his old team so I think he was putting a lot more pressure on himself than he normally does.  

Anyway, here's his week before vrs Arizona: fair catch, 5 yard return, 17 yard return, 12 yard return, 16 yard return negated by holding, 20 yard return negated by holding, 10 yard return, fair catch.  He seemed pretty comfortable at it for a 1st performance on a new team.  That's probably because he's an experienced guy at it.  

 

 

 

[jiggins7919]

3 hours ago, Flugel said:

liked DPJ too; but I'll cut Proche some slack just this 1 time since he had a pretty good first game with the Browns the week before.  The Ravens were his old team so I think he was putting a lot more pressure on himself than he normally does.  

I like him, too. Broke my heart to see that muffed punt, but so glad it didn't cost us. He has real speed and last week it felt like he was going to break one at any time. Also, did anyone else feel like the defender was too close? I mean, he was up in his grill. Is there a rule about that, or is that in college? Or did I make it up? Lol

[SdBacker80]

Plain and Simple…We need to start fast Sunday.   This makes Kenny Pickett a passer and increases the likelihood that Kevin runs the ball and doesn’t get this idea that slow developing downfield plays is the answer against their bookends considering the state of our bookend tackles.  

If Kevin can call a better game and Deshaun can play a better game than what we witnessed in Week 2…we should win and barring a catastrophic collapse a win here should seal playoff football. 
 

 

 

 

[hoorta]

On 11/13/2023 at 12:36 PM, mjp28 said:

Hopefully this may be a turning point for the   2023  season   as long as the front line, running backs and the rest of the team can stay onboard.   The  (6-3)  Cleveland  BROWNS  are in a good position in the   ▪︎ AFCN  ▪︎   to make a  playoff   run.    

▪︎ YES,  I  said a   playoff   run  as in that iconic  Jim Mora ...  "playoffs, playoffs"   quote some 22 years ago.   My how time flies on some things even like the  still iconic    "playoffs, playoffs"    quote.   Thank you Jim Mora,  always  "quoteable".

       ●    GO BROWNS !    ●    

Wasn't Mora the same guy when asked about his teams execution said... "I'd be in favor of it?"   

[Flugel]

1 hour ago, jiggins7919 said:

I like him, too. Broke my heart to see that muffed punt, but so glad it didn't cost us. He has real speed and last week it felt like he was going to break one at any time. Also, did anyone else feel like the defender was too close? I mean, he was up in his grill. Is there a rule about that, or is that in college? Or did I make it up? Lol

Glad you reminded me Jiggs. There is a rule about it. It's called kick catch interference and the return specialist needs to be given a yard to make the catch.  I brought that up during the game in the game thread (this thread)  The replay showed the guy that invaded his intimate space banged his knee against Proche's.  For the flag happy officiating crew that couldn't wait to throw flags all day - I would have thought they would have been excited to throw that flag.  Never did and it set the Rats up for easy points.

[Flugel]

23 minutes ago, hoorta said:

Wasn't Mora the same guy when asked about his teams execution said... "I'd be in favor of it?"   

That was REALLY funny at the time Larry!  Still is so thanks for the reminder.  It was actually John McKay HC of the TB Bucs back when they were an expansion team and/or shortly thereafter.  He coached USC before that.

[hoorta]

17 hours ago, Dutch Oven said:

It sure does feel like Buffalo's window of Super Bowl contention is shutting fast.

Josh Allen can't do it all himself, and he's starting to turn into a turnover machine. Two more interceptions so far tonight, a NFL leading 11 for the season. (Does have 19 touchdown passes though)

It got worse for Allen and the Bills later in that game.   🙄 Buffalo still has the Eagles, Chiefs, and Cowboys on the schedule, as well as the finale against the Dolphins. 'Fins have a much easier time, their first remaining game against a team with a winning record doesn't come until week 16 against the Cowboys. Then it's Ravens and Bills.  

FWIW, at this point it certainly looks like 10-7 will punch a ticket to the playoffs in the AFC, and even 9-8 might get you in. 

Sorry Bill and New England regarding the playoffs- stick a fork in them, they're done. Vegas will give you 1,000:1 odds that they can run the table and get in at 9-8.  😉

[hoorta]

3 hours ago, SdBacker80 said:

Plain and Simple…We need to start fast Sunday.   This makes Kenny Pickett a passer and increases the likelihood that Kevin runs the ball and doesn’t get this idea that slow developing downfield plays is the answer against their bookends considering the state of our bookend tackles.  

If Kevin can call a better game and Deshaun can play a better game than what we witnessed in Week 2…we should win and barring a catastrophic collapse a win here should seal playoff football. 

See my above post...  Browns also got some good news regarding Denzel Ward. Neck strain, and not the much feared concussion. FWIW, the Browns forwarded the tape of that hit to the League office, and I won't be shocked if a fine is forthcoming on the Ravens for the helmet to helmet hit.  

[Orion]

9 hours ago, Flugel said:

Anyway, here's his week before vrs Arizona: fair catch, 5 yard return, 17 yard return, 12 yard return, 16 yard return negated by holding, 20 yard return negated by holding, 10 yard return, fair catch.  He seemed pretty comfortable at it for a 1st performance on a new team.  That's probably because he's an experienced guy at it.  

Thank you for that.  That's something that I didn't see in highlights.  I was in Disney at Animal Kingdom with Mrs. Wife, daughter and the two Grandboys.  All I could do was check the score periodically.  A glorious day!    

[Dutch Oven]

4 hours ago, hoorta said:

Wasn't Mora the same guy when asked about his teams execution said... "I'd be in favor of it?"   

That was John McKay, first head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[Flugel]

19 minutes ago, Orion said:

Thank you for that.  That's something that I didn't see in highlights.  I was in Disney at Animal Kingdom with Mrs. Wife, daughter and the two Grandboys.  All I could do was check the score periodically.  A glorious day!    

No problem.  I was also worried about replacing DPJ's reliability with fielding punts.  This guy looks pretty good though.

[TexasAg1969]

The game will be on tomorrow at 3pm EDT on NFL Network (212 Direct TV).