The Browns open their season today at home with the Cowboys with a national TV game at 4:25.  Lots of hype here as it's also the first game with Tom Brady in the TV booth. These are two pretty good teams, kind of at the same place, with many wondering what kind of team they're actually going to be.  But, for the Browns because of the very good division we are in, the start to this season is paramount.  Need to win some early games.

The Browns have a mini season in two games.  This game, and next week at Jacksonville, they need to be at a minimum of 1-1.  2-0 would be great, but a split would suffice. These are two very tough games. First Dallas, a good team, good players, and good tradition.  We have a QB that has NOT played a down of real competitive football in any way in almost a year, and hardly at all over the last 3 years.  We have a new offense, and some injuries that will not help us today.   Can they win this game?  Yes, but I feel the defense will have to do it, by keeping the score as low as possible.  If we start getting above 26 points or so, I feel the Browns may be in jeopardy.

Next week though to me is the real key game no matter what happens today.  Jacksonville is a conference rival that is thinking playoffs like us, and it's a potential tie-breaker game.  Trevor Lawrence is happy with a new bank busting contract, they are good, very well coached and at home.  Plus, it will probably be 100 degrees on the field and that's a big deal.  I know that many on local sports shows are poo-pooing this game and almost laughing at the Browns possibly losing it, as they have us going 17-0, but it's a KEY game.  I think it will be far tougher than the Dallas game, because for both teams they understand the possible ramifications.

If you win today, you can go to Florida on a high, and play confidently in tough conditions trying to go 2-0.  If you lose today, you're looking at the possibility of going 0-2, and that's a tough hole climb out of.   A win today takes lot of pressure off this team, management, and Watson.  A loss today? Well it will depend how you lose.  It you play very well and just come up short, that's the NFL.  But play poorly on offense, or Watson looks bad, the fan base will lose it's mind.

Here's the harsh reality of today and next week.  The time has come if the Browns really want to go where they think they can,  it's time to start winning these kind of games.  No more rust, no more ramping up, no more excuses, no more - anything.  I mean what do you want?  Dallas at home, national TV, in a big game.  It's time to start winning these kind of games, and the same next week.  And somehow get this defense to finally play well on the road and win a game that you probably should.  I think we are all a bit tired of moral wins, and "looking at the film."  Yeah, I'm calling them right out of the gate.  They think they are an elite team, so play like one, and do what those teams do.

Start 2-0 and things are great!  Start 1-1, and that's very livable.  Start 0-2 and it's a minimum of 2 weeks to possibly get back to being mediocre.  Gotta start beating the really good teams like this at full strength, because that's what's up the road in post season.   Serious teams get this done. 

GO BROWNS!