May 18, 2013

Week 11: The Browns Will Win If…

November 18, 2011 by 14 Comments

The Browns found a new way to lose a game this past week, botching a 22-yard field goal in crunch time to drop an ugly one to the Rams. Coming to town this week are the Jacksonville Jaguars, whom the Browns are playing for the third straight season.

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The Jags, much like the Browns, are sitting at 3-6, but one of those wins came against the dreadful Colts last Sunday. The Jags had lost six of seven (a strange 12-7 MNF win over the Ravens) before their win last Sunday. This game looks to be ugly; the Browns are actually *better* on offense in terms of yards/game than are the Jags. The Browns sit at 294.1 yards (30th), and the Jags are at 243.6 (32nd). Ugh. The difference? The Jags are 11th in the league in running the ball. So, there that is. Without further ado…

The Browns Will Win If…

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Week 1: The Browns Will Win If…

September 9, 2011 by 39 Comments

It’s finally here! The Browns are ready to kick off the regular season, and the Cincinnati Bengals come calling. Here we have Pat Shurmur’s first regular season game as a head coach; on the other side, it’s Andy Dalton’s first game as an NFL quarterback. Welcome to the league, Ginger!

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On paper, the Bengals look to be in for a season of struggles, and given the fact that they’re starting a rookie at quarterback–on the road–this game seems like it’s there for the Browns’ taking. The Browns’ offense looked efficient at times during the pre-season, but struggled in Philly against a solid defense. Conversely, the Browns’ defense was a bit rough, though as the pre-season wore on guys like Phil Taylor became more noticeable. Call this a measuring stick for Cleveland: how “on the way up” are they? Beating the Bengals would help to define that a bit. Without further ado…

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The Browns Will Win If…

November 12, 2010 by 23 Comments

What a difference three weeks can make. Before the Saints game, I was dreading these three games (Saints, Patriots, and Jets), thinking they would all end horribly badly for the Browns. And now, here we sit on the Friday before the Jets game with a legitimate chance to go 3-0 through this tough, tough portion of the schedule. Oh, and #17 is comin’ back, baby! Getcha Michigan hatred ready!

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The Jets’ defense is solid; they’re 6th in the league in yards-allowed per game, and 3rd in the league in points-allowed per game. Their bread and butter on offense is the ground game, as they’re currently fourth in the league at 148.0 rushing yards per game. The Browns counter that with the 15th ranked rushing defense, surrendering 105.9 yards per game on the ground; however, they’ve allowed just 126 TOTAL rushing yards in the past two games. Rob Ryan! Rex Ryan! Eric Mangini and his former team! Braylon and the fans that love to hate him! Let’s get it on!! Without further ado…

The Browns Will Win If…

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The Browns Will Win If… – Calisthenics Edition

August 6, 2010 by 21 Comments

Every year when my church softball league re-starts, I go out and throw about 10 warm-up tosses. Then, when I have to make my first throw from deep in the outfield, my shoulder inevitably hurts like a mutha. Apparently, you can’t let your arm sit dormant for 10 months and expect to uncork frozen ropes from the warning track. Likewise, it’s getting to be time to dust off the BWWI columns for another season of Browns football. Lest I pull a hammie next month, let’s stretch out just a bit.

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This version is a little different, since I won’t be polling the WFNY staff or getting the pulse of our upcoming opponents’ blogosphere. And, since we’re not looking at a specific opponent, this will attempt to look at more generalities about what the Browns’ ideal game would look like in 2010. Given that we’re not even one full week into camp, the cart is definitely in front of the horse. But whatever. Let’s limber up. Without further ado…

The 2010 Browns Will Win If…

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The Browns Will Win If…

December 31, 2009 by 9 Comments

Four weeks ago in this space, I was lamenting the impending beat-down about to be administered onto the Browns by the Chargers (and let’s not forget that at the start of the fourth quarter that day it was 27-7 Bolts). How long ago does that game feel right now? I know the competition hasn’t been the best, but seriously… THE BROWNS HAVE WON THREE GAMES IN A ROW.

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The test will get tougher this week, as the Jags are still clinging to a slim, slim chance of making the playoffs by winning and getting some help. And, of course last year’s topsy-turvy game against the Jags prompted (I’m happy for ya, and I’ma let you finish) probably one of my best photoshopping efforts of all time. The Browns played solid ball control on Sunday against the Raiders, and capitalized on defense when they had to, shutting the Raiders out in the second half. The Jags are 16th in the league in yards per game on offense, but only 22nd in points-scored per game. Can the Browns do it again, and end the season with FOUR straight wins? Dead Man Walking Mangini certainly hopes so. Without further ado…

The Browns Will Win If…

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The Browns Will Win If…

December 10, 2009 by 22 Comments

Normally, this is where I’d try to write something funny about the impending embarrassment I feel in anticipation of a Browns/Steelers game. But, and I’m asking you to hear me out, I actually think the Browns could have a shot tonight, if they can avoid shooting themselves in the collective foot. No, I’m not drinking this early. Why do you ask?

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The Browns’ offense looked like they had made a little progress. I know you can’t look at the fourth quarter when the Chargers were playing a glorified prevent without Quentin Jammer, but even still Brady Quinn looked more comfortable, the Browns receivers caught passes, they had a tight end who managed to get open in the middle of the field and actually catch the ball, and there was a *gasp* Brian Robiskie sighting. The Steelers are staggering right now, having lost four straight. No Polamalu. Possibly no Whines Hard. Another injury (William Gay) to an already reeling secondary. So you’re saying there’s a chance… Without further ado…

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The Browns Will Win If…

December 4, 2009 by 30 Comments

This is liable to get messy. The Chargers are going to straight-up murder our donkeys.

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The Browns’ offense reverted back to the soulless dead fish we’ve come to know and hate for the first 9 games of the season. The explosion against Detroit was not seen at all on Sunday, despite the Bengals being willing to let the Browns hang around on the scoreboard. The Browns’ reward? A meeting with the white-hot Chargers, who have won six in a row and flat-out dismantled the Chiefs last Sunday. The Browns are facing a shortage of warm bodies on defense, combined with the aforementioned crap-fest on offense. Sounds awesome! Without further ado…

The Browns Will Win If…

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The Browns Will Win If…

November 16, 2009 by 15 Comments

[Inhales deeply] Ahhh! There’s nothing like the smell of imminent nationally televised embarrassment in the morning!

Browns and Bears

The Ravens are one of those teams that you really can’t get a true read on. They started 3-0 and looked solid. They then lost three straight, including blowing a beautiful comeback against the then-unbeaten Vikings. They then handed the Broncos their first loss in a big way. And then Cincinnati beat them again. So, the Ravens are an odd 4-4. Not that that matters much tonight. Without further ado…

The Browns Will Win If…

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The Browns Will Win If…

October 23, 2009 by 9 Comments

Let’s see. Hmm. So, maybe you’ve heard that the Browns have QB issues. And that their best linebacker is out for the season. And that apparently even when their defense holds on fourth and short it’s still technically a first down for their opponents. Gear!
Browns and Packers
The Browns actually improved on offense between the Buffalo game and last week’s loss in Pittsburgh. The defense played a solid first quarter. And then they got smoked. They were only in the game due to the Steelers’ running backs refusing to hold on to the ball for the entire third quarter. So, there’s not much hope going up against the one team that just smacked the Browns down in the pre-season. Right? Without further ado…

The Browns Will Win If…

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The Browns Will Win If…

October 16, 2009 by 26 Comments

Well, the silver lining is that the Browns won’t go 0-16. That’s all I’ve got up here today.
Browns and Bills
The Steelers suffered a big loss with DE Aaron Smith going down for the season with a rotator cuff injury. However, the Steeler defense tends to be a different animal with Captain Head and Shoulders back in the defensive backfield, and as Scott pointed out earlier this week it looks like S Troy Polamalu will play. The Browns have a tough offense to stop with Rashard Mendenhall looking better (though battling illness this week) and Fast Willie most likely coming back this weekend—and Big Ben always able to shred a defense that can’t get any pressure on him. Without further ado…

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The Browns Will Win If…

October 9, 2009 by 14 Comments

This Sunday is the first day of the rest of our lives without Braylon Edwards. OK, that might also be a little melodramatic, but one can’t help but wonder how the Browns roster has changed, and if this will truly be a case of addition-by-subtraction. One game at a time. We just need to keep getting better every day. [insert favorite coach-speak cliché here]
Browns and Bills
The Bills are a team that, on paper at least, is almost as bad as the Browns are. They give up 150+ yards a game on the ground and 27.5 points per game. They barely touch 110 yards a game rushing on offense, and under 200 yards a game passing. They have TO. So, on paper it would appear that this might be the game for the Browns to get off the schneide. But, as we know, nothing is ever easy for this Browns team. Without further ado…

The Browns Will Win If…

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