Birds Flock to the Lake: Browns – Cardinals Preview

As the calendar turns to November, the Cleveland Browns are 2-5 and in third place in the AFC North. The quarterback situation is stable (on the field at least). The defense cannot seem to handle running plays. Penalty flags fall like rain drops. Yet, the team still has more games in front of them than behind. The road to respectability now throws up another obstacle in the form of the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals.

Last Browns Win: Week 11, 2003. Browns 44 – Cardinals 6

In the most recent Browns-Cardinals matchup in Cleveland, the home team enjoyed its largest margin of victory since returning in 1999. Cleveland dominated Arizona in all facets of the game, out-gaining the opposition 481 yards to 187. Cardinals quarterbacks Jeff Blake and Josh McCown (that name rings a bell) combined for 13-of-32 passing for 152 yards and three interceptions. On the other side, Kelly Holcomb put on a clinic throwing for 392 yards and three touchdowns. Andre Davis,¹ Quincy Morgan, and Dennis Northcutt each pulled in a touchdown pass as the Browns coasted to an easy home victory.

Last Browns Loss: Week 15, 2011. Browns 17 @ Cardinals 20

Four years ago, the Browns and Cardinals clashed in the desert. Journeymen quarterbacks Seneca Wallace and John Skelton proved even competition as Cleveland blew two separate 10-point leads before the game went to overtime. Despite possessing the ball first in the bonus period, Cleveland managed only 14 yards of offense before yielding to the home team. Arizona gained 32 yards on the ensuing punt return and quickly entered field goal range. Jay Feely socked the game-winner and sent the Browns out of town with another “L.”

On tap: Week 8, 2015. Cardinals @ Browns

The 2015 Arizona Cardinals lead the NFC West with a 5-2 record. On the year, Arizona has defeated New Orleans, Chicago, San Francisco, Detroit, and most recently, Baltimore. The two losses came at home against St. Louis and on the road versus Pittsburgh. The Redbirds rank highly on both sides of the ball. The offense sits second in the league in points scored (229) and fourth in yards gained (2,848). Defensively, the Cardinals are eighth in points allowed (133) and fourth in yards allowed (2,248).

After leaving Cincinnati, quarterback Carson Palmer has found a second life in the desert. On the year, Palmer has completed 145-of-222 passes (65 percent) for 2,012 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. Palmer’s name does not often come up when fans discuss “elite” quarterbacks, but perhaps the omission is unfair. Palmer ranks second in the league in touchdown passes, third in yards, second in average yards per completion, sixth in yards per game, and seventh in passer rating. In other words, at 36 years old, Palmer has aged well. The most prolific receiver in Arizona remains Larry Fitzgerald. The 32-year-old leads the team with 622 receiving yards and six touchdowns. On the ground, running back Chris Johnson paces the rushers with 567 yards and three scores.

The Browns’ most glaring weakness this season is their run defense. After Cleveland drafted nose tackle Danny Shelton in the first round, many fans expected fewer openings for opposing tailbacks. Instead, the Browns defensive line is an elixir to opponents — a cure for their tailback’s ills. St. Louis back Todd Gurley scored his first two career rushing touchdowns and recorded 128 yards on the ground last week. The Browns rushing D ranks dead last in yards allowed (1,057) and 28th in touchdowns allowed (8).

Head coach Mike Pettine believes, however, that his front unit has what it takes to stop the run. “There are times when I don’t like how we get pushed back up front, and there are other times where we play well,” Pettine said. “I know our guys are competitive and I rarely see one of our players turn down contact so I don’t question our toughness.” While toughness is commendable, there is no substitute for execution. In that department, the Browns have plenty of room for growth.

Browns quarterback Josh McCown left last week’s game with a shoulder injury. Pettine said that McCown got “limited work” during Thursday’s practice, but he expects McCown to start on Sunday. While McCown’s situation remains touch-and-go, there is some good news on the injury front. Cornerback Joe Haden is listed as probable for this week, and Pettine wants to get him back in the lineup as soon as possible. “You don’t just replace that guy, there’s bound to be some form of a drop off and you try to work around it as best you can,” said Pettine. Beyond just Haden, safety Tashaun Gipson and linebacker Craig Robertson are also eyeing a return to the field against Arizona. The defense could take a major step forward if all three starters are able to return and make an impact in the game.

With Arizona on deck, the big question seems to be, “Is the season already over?” The eternal optimist in me argues that if the Browns were to win out (don’t laugh)² they would be 11-5, likely good enough for a playoff berth. Until they are mathematically eliminated, I want to believe. On the other hand, I have seen enough football this year to know this is a flawed team that would likely be lucky to go .500. If nothing else, Pettine is keeping the faith. “You feel good about it because we know how close we are…When we’ve played for stretches to our ability and we haven’t had any self-inflicted issues, we’ve played well.” His message centered on consistency. While the Browns have showed flashes of excellence in the first seven weeks, the team needs to put together four solid quarters in a row. They will get another chance this Sunday in the comforts of home.

1. Not to be confused with linebacker Andra Davis. [↩]
2. Ed’s note: Laugh. [↩]