The Browns went to Denver, scored a bunch of points losing to the Broncos to go 3-9.  Our all-time record in Denver now is 4-15 with 2 of those wins in 1970 and 71.  We have not won in Pittsburgh (regular season) in 20 years and we’re there today.  This is a big game for the Steelers.  For the Browns, it may be the last game Jameis Winston starts as the Browns need to start looking to next season.  Winston has started 5 games going 2-3.  As much as this team has changed with his play, his fun, and his overall good duded-ness, he’s not the answer to take you where you want to go.

There’s a concerning attitude about his time as the Browns starter.  I keep hearing that these games are “entertaining” or “more fun to watch”, and being fair that’s true.  This is where many are as fans.  The fact that we can complete passes, some even down the field, and score a few touchdowns just like every other team is reason to celebrate?  The last few games without any question have been different, but they have not been better.  Yes, we beat the Ravens and Steelers at home, but we generally play them very tough at home year in and year out.  And I’m not saying it’s not good to beat them.  We are still 3-9 and no matter how we got here.

The NFL loves entertaining games, and the Browns have given them two in prime time the last two weeks. The snow globe game with the Steelers and Monday night with the Broncos.  The NFL is in the TV and entertainment biz not the sport biz anymore and they love those games.  Conversely, the Browns are not in that biz.  We are a sports team trying to compete with the really good teams.  We have fallen so far that the fact we are now are “watchable”  is viewed as positive.  The only thing we are doing differently now is losing prettier.

The Browns are at the place where 2025 is what to start planning for.  Who will play QB?  The draft?  Nick Chubb?  Watson? The Salary Cap?  This front office and coaching staff has a five year sample now, and they are .500 overall.  They have played in only 3 playoff games over 5 seasons going 1-2. None of them at home, and 2 of them 4 years ago in consecutive weeks with Baker Mayfield at QB.  Then last year with Old Man Flacco getting mauled by the Texans.  The sample size is significant, and the results are the results. The only PS game we won was run by a coach we fired this year, who took over when Stefanski was sick in his basement with a QB now leading the league in passing in Tampa.  Those are just facts. 

I know it’s hard to hear, but that’s the truth.  With all the money spent, trades, all the draft picks chosen and traded away, the bust free agent signings, coaches of the years, defensive player of the year, we are a .500 team over those years.  And at seasons end we will be below that.  That adds up to where we are.  Setting team passing records while throwing 2 pick sixes when it matters (almost 3) in games we lose.  And BTW this group has not won a game in the Mountain or Pacific time zones, five years and counting. 

I’m like you, I would love to see us be really good winning games that need to be won in the regular and post season. I would love to see them get back to drafting really good players that want to be here. And I would love to have them return to their true identity of AFC North style football.  Beating the Steelers today would be a great start getting that 20 year winless monkey off our backs. 

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be a very good franchise that wins and is loved for that, and not be the entertaining youngest brother who can put on a nice show for the family at the holidays. 

GO BROWNS