The Browns Will Win If…

Both teams suffered losses on Sunday that robbed them of a great deal of dignity. Only the Bengals have the weapons to take out their frustrations…

The Browns were averaging 8.67 points per game, and scored 37 on Sunday. Their only other really solid offensive game came against these Bengals back in week 4 when they made it through 14:57 of overtime before losing. Mohammed Massaquoi had a big game against the Bengals last time out, and Quinn definitely went to him early and often against Detroit. Can the Browns continue their offensive outburst? Can the defense show up again after taking the last three quarters off on Sunday? Without further ado…

The Browns Will Win If…

Craig: They put together a complete game.  I know it was offense against the Lions, but that defense could have played better.  So, if the Browns could play some energetic offense motivated by last week’s successes, and the defense could play at least partially up to its potential, the Browns would have a shot.  Then again, this shouldn’t be confused with a prediction, ever. I honestly don’t have any faith in this team at all.  I truly hope the Browns continue to develop players for the future.  That is all I can ask now.

DP: …the defense from the Ravens/MNF game shows up, and the offense from Sunday against Detroit shows up. Also if there are no more crazy, obscure ways to blow games at the end. Somewhere on Sunday Dwayne Rudd was saying, “Man, those guys really F’ed that up!” Perhaps it would help also if the Bengals are overstuffed with turkey and not totally ticked off that they lost to freaking Oakland last week.

Rick: …(sigh.) We had a much better shot before the Bengals lost to the Raiders. I have to imagine they are going to be a little motivated. How can we win? Well, they have to keep taking shots down the field for one thing. If they don’t connect on anything deeper than 15 yards they have no chance. Here’s an obvious one- the defense has to play better. There must be pressure on Carson Palmer. This is not optional. If we thought Stafford looked like an all-pro wait until we see what Palmer will do to us with that kind of time.

Denny: Honestly, I’m going to say there’s a better chance that we see Buddy the Elf beat the Bengals this weekend than we see the Browns beat the Bengals. After the Bengals got a wake-up call against the Raiders I can’t imagine they’ll be coming out soft this week.  On the flip side of the coin I can’t imagine the Browns’ psyche is anything but battered (beer-battered? mmmm, beer battered).  If they are going to keep it close, the D needs to buckle down, and the offense needs to explode all over the Bengals not just for one quarter, but for the entire game.  If the Browns can put up 40+ points, they have a chance.

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What say, there, fuzzy britches?