Our Browns begin their post season today in Houston with the Texans in the NFL's first post season game this year. Browns a slight favorite - about 2.5 points. In a few hours we will know whether we are going on or home. The Browns are overall better and should win this game as they have grown up immeasurably since acquiring Joe Flacco.
Winning post season games is tough. I know, many franchises make it look easy as they win all the time, but for many teams the post season is a treat and something to be enjoyed and cherished as a player and fan. As you listen to the talking heads spewing on ESPN about these games it all kind of runs together. We are knowledgeable fans here and we know what you can and can't do in most any football game to win or lose, let alone post season games, so we're not going there here. Of course you can't turn it over, blah blah blah...
Post season football is way more than that. Teams are good and have earned their way in, no argue there. What post season play does very well in the NFL is this. It tells you categorically where you are as a team and organization. This is not September 30, you're not playing some decent team in week 4 at home on a sunny day as you joke around with the opposing team pregame. You are playing good teams that fought the exact same fight you have, and now it's a single game scenario. And if you answer it, the next week you get another chance and so on.
There's no hiding your problems or weaknesses anymore, we are way beyond that. Many teams over many years steamrolled into the post season and have come up empty in January after being the talk of the town in October. Today the Browns storm into Houston with a great defense that's been the touted all year as being the NFL's best. Well today they get to prove it on the road against a good young team that we helped rebuild - quickly. And we'll find out where the Texans are too. Are they good, or are they just a nice story this year?
If the Browns play well and move on, we can safely say this team is on the right track, and we'll get another crack at it next week in the final 8 and see if we can play in the post season against the real elite teams. Also, to win these kind of games, your great players have to play great right now. The Browns have played quite well all year and they have to find another great game and play it today. They overall, have been solid especially on defense.
This season has been one the Browns have been waiting for. Even though the injuries have been painful and plentiful, good fortune has found the Browns, some of it serendipitous. Some officiating breaks have gone our way in big moments. We saw the Bengals twice basically "Burrowless". Aaron Rodgers crippled the Jets, the Jags had a hurt Trevor Lawrence, and the Titans turned out to be really bad. Some teams have missed their own opportunities to beat us, and we had a lot of big games against really good teams at home. Hey, some good luck is part of any teams run. Oh, and Joe Flacco is HERE! His presence has evened a lot of things out. If he weren't here, neither would we be.
To dream you are a Superbowl contender, you must answer the bell against the best teams. A loss today, and we wonder what can be better next season to take us further. Post season is final and is the ultimate learning experience for your entire franchise. It's THE measuring stick, as it's you against the best from top to bottom - Coaches, players, schemes, conditioning, organizational and roster decisions made now and six months ago.
GO BROWNS!
Read - LAST WEEK - I'm With Joe!
