The next two weeks for the Browns are very important to them and for the teams they are playing. We travel to Cincy NEXT week to play Burrows Bengals, but first we must deal with steel as we play the Pittsburgh at home. This is a big game, bigger than most between these two teams.
I heard some local sports radio guy say this yesterday. "The Steelers, they're done,...done...the Browns should really worry about the Bengals." And I've heard others say it too on the local and national level. That attitude worries me. Not that they say it, of course they can say what they wish, it's their career and credibility. But the fact is, the Steelers will be done, when the Browns say they are done. The Steelers future, both immediate and longer term is in the Browns hands this week, and later in the season. We can finish them off for the year with two wins against them.
The Steelers are clearly not the Steelers of old, now they just - are old. But, they are still well coached and will still come to town where there are used to winning and getting their season back on track. I've said it before and I'll say it now, the Browns are going nowhere until they start beating the Steelers twice a season, and this is a home game and a must win. There is no other option. If you win, you go to Cincy next week and play for first place at the midway point. You lose and you go back to the drawing board and wonder how you can recover from it.
That's not dramatic, it's fact. Plus, you can make the point that it's a new day, and you are the team to beat in this division. You can also show the Steelers that Ben is probably really done. He's won here so much, it has been a given. If you win, that's three in a row against them going back to last season and post season, and the Steelers more than likely begin a new process of moving in a new direction. You've got a chance to knock them out, so do it.
Remember those talking heads I was talking about earlier? They also were talking about how we would beat the Chargers, and Cardinals, and blow out the Vikings this season, we were gonna be 15-2, 14-3. Well, that was ridiculous then - and now. And today with the Chiefs at 3-4, our loss to them looks pretty bad. That's why this game is so important, and next week too. You can play yourself back into it and send messages at the same time. That second point is a big part of the NFL, you have to show divisional teams that you are better and are going to beat them again the next time.
As a fan I am hoping the Browns take care of the Steelers this week and continue the shift of power in this division. But don't be fooled, the Steelers are coming to town ready to play and we have a ton of injuries. I have been concerned about these games with them for months, because proud franchises don't go quietly, you have to beat them. This is no gimme. They will be loose, with nothing to lose. I will believe the Steelers stink, when they acutally do.
The Browns also have to start beating teams that are good. Sunday would be nice step forward and get us ready for the next step. We will need to score some real points I feel and that could be a challenge. We may, and we should win this game, but it will take a great effort, as Mike Tomlin is coming here to win. Beat them and you may also help the Steelers move on to what's next for them. In short, show Big Ben the door.
Prove the sports media right this time.
Go Browns!
Some Of My Recent Browns Articles
