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That was amazing., another victory Monday. This team has the heart and the will to beat anyone. Down by fourteen points, they never gave up. I didn’t have a good feeling going into this game, but still thought the Browns had a chance to win. In the fourth quarter, the Browns trailed by fifteen points, fumbled a punt return, had an interception called back because of a penalty and a missed extra point and still won. The best part, besides beating the hated Ravens, Cleveland still has a shot to win the division.

The field goals in the first half kept the Browns in the game while the defense finally started to stop Baltimore. I agree with the call not to try a 60-yard field goal at the end of the first half. I’ve seen enough blocked kicks returned for touchdowns in my lifetime. In the second half, both Kevin Stefanski and Jim Schwartz made the right adjustments and it showed. They decided to beat up the Ravens and they did. Three drives in the second half, twelve minutes, fifteen minutes and twelve minutes. Controlled the clock after Baltimore had taken a 24-9 lead. The defense made the MVP quarterback look silly. Sacked him three times and hit him six times. I always maintain a QB hit is just as good as a sack. The defense was so good, Lamar Jackson completed one pass in the fourth quarter. One. Defensive end Myles Garrett had two sacks, but his best play was stopping Lamar Jackson from making a first down when he was scrambling down the sideline. It forced the Ravens to punt, and Jackson didn’t see the field again.

On offense the run game was working and the short passing game as well. Incredible runs by running back Jerome Ford and tight end David Njoku. The “pile run” to set up the last field goal describes this team to a tee. Baltimore made first contact at the 38 and the ball ended up on the 26. The Ravens had not allowed more than one touchdown at home in nine straight games. Quarterback Deshaun Watson had a bad first half, he didn’t seem comfortable in the pocket. But in the second half, perfect, 14 for 14, and made plays that made the difference with a bad ankle. Running back Kareem Hunt has scored in five straight games. Not bad for a guy who started the season sitting on his couch.

Pro Football Focus grades. Offense, WR Amari Cooper, 75.5, TE Harrison Bryant, 70.6, RB Jerome Ford, 69.6, LT Geron Chistian, 69.6 and LG Joel Bitonio. Defense, CB Greg Newsome, 79.6, CB Mike Ford, 76.8, DE Za’Darius Smith, 72.4, LB Sione Takitaki, 69.6 and DE Myles Garrett, 68.9.

Next up is a home game against the Steelers. If the Bengals can beat the Ravens on Thursday night, Sunday’s game could be for first place in the AFC North. Do the Browns control their own destiny? Not yet, but they’re heading in that direction. Stay safe and Go Browns.

I could get used to this. The Browns are 5-3 and have their starting quarterback playing again. He was a little rusty in the first half but found his timing in the second half. He’s still holding on to the ball too long and isn’t going through all his progressions, but all in all it was a great warmup game for Baltimore. He also answered two media driven questions, arm strength and desire to play. Watson’s arm looked pretty good to me and by the time the fourth quarter rolled around, he looked like he was having fun. He needs to continue to play loose and not overthink everything. Over his last two full games (Tenn. & Ari.), Watson is completing 73% of his passes averaging 8.1 yards per attempt, has a 6.4% touchdown percentage and zero interceptions.

Speaking of turnovers, the Browns didn’t give the ball away once and they forced three turnovers. Great work by the offense and the defense. First shutout since November 2005 against the Dolphins. The defense started strong and ended strong. The Cardinals didn’t get into the redzone once. Very nice. They allowed the fewest net yards this season (58), 1.2 yards per play, seven first downs and had seven sacks. Now they need to do the same thing against a good quarterback and will get their chance this week against Baltimore. On offense, I was a little concerned about the running game, but the good news is head coach Kevin Stefanski kept running the ball. The Browns ran 40 running plays and 30 passing plays. Stefanski is growing as a head coach. This might be his best season as a head coach.

Pro Football Focus ratings. Offense, RG Wyatt Teller, 78.8, QB Deshaun Watson, 78.5, WR Amari Cooper 78.5, LG Joel Bitonio, 74.5 and TE David Njoku 66.8. Defense, CB Cameron Mitchell, 91.3, DE Myles Garrett, 89.6, DE Za’Darius Smith 87.9, CB Denzel Ward 86.1 and DT Dalvin Tomlinson 85.4.

Moving forward, there are still some areas that need improving. On Offense, Watson needs to get through his progressions quicker and start throwing the ball to someone besides Cooper and Njoku. Those two caught nine of eleven passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Find another wide receiver to throw to, they’re there and they’re open. Also, more Pierre Strong please. The Browns defense is this team’s floor, how Watson continues to play is the ceiling. Finally, I think the team has a punt returner. It’s amazing what can happen when a team can return a punt, punt and pin your opponent deep and have a field goal kicker. I love it when the Browns have great special teams. Stay safe and Go Browns.

But it could have been. That didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to, but this team has heart and fight. After looking like they were going to get blown out by the Seahawks, the Browns fought back and had the lead. The ball just didn’t bounce the Browns way after two games where it did. Throwing an interception that bounces off an opponent’s helmet is so Browns. Still, down 14-0, this team didn’t quit like former Browns teams have.

If you’re going to complain about the play call on third and three, then you have to give credit to the play calling that brought the team back from a two-touchdown deficit. Most of the people who want Kevin Stefanski fired don’t like him to begin with. Seattle was set up defensively to stop the run on that play. In the fourth quarter, the Browns ran the ball eleven times and threw the ball four times. On the running plays it was first or second down. On the passing plays it was third down. If the quarterback executes the play, the Browns get the first down because there was a Browns player open over the middle. Despite all the problems this team has had to overcome, head coach Kevin Stefanski isn’t the problem. I think he’s grown as a coach. His play calling has improved as has his game management.

I’m getting a little worried about the defense. Third straight game they allowed an opening drive for a touchdown and the third straight game they allowed an opponent to drive down the field and score late. Another game with too many missed tackles. Of their seven games, in only two did they have less than ten missed tackles, the Bengal game and the Titans game. Coaches call the plays, and the players are supposed to execute. Finally, yesterday, there were too many chunk plays given up to the Seahawks. NFL coaches can figure out anything, and they might have figured out Jim Schwartz’s defense.

Pro Football Focus ratings. Offense, TE David Njoku (88.2), RB Kareem Hunt (79.6), WR Amari Cooper (78.8), C Ethan Pocic (71.4) and OT James Hudson, III (68.6). Defense, DT Maurice Hurst (92.4), DE Myles Garrett (78.7), CB Martin Emerson, Jr. (76.6), S Grant Delpit (73.3) and LB Jeremiah Owusu- Koramoah (69.5).

The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday October 31 at 4:00pm EST. I don’t really expect the Browns to make a trade. They don’t really need a running back after rushing for 155 yards against Seattle. I heard they might be interested in a wide receiver. It would have to be an upgrade over anything they have on the roster. A third day pick and WR Donovan Peoples-Jones seems to be the compensation. The offensive line again played very well, third straight game, so let’s not mess with it. If it were me, I would go after another pass rusher.

How this team is 4-3 is a miracle. Their quarterback play is terrible, they lost the best running back in the league for the season and they’ve given the ball away seventeen times, which is the most in the league. This team should be 6-1, but this is where I thought they would be after seven games. Beat Arizona and the Browns are 5-3 going into two tough games against Baltimore and Pittsburg. Finally, I ‘ve heard Deshaun Watson should be back for the Raven’s game. Let’s hope it’s the Titans game Watson. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Victory Monday part four, you can breathe again Browns fans. This team is now officially the Kardiac Kids 2.0. Was it a perfect game by the Browns, no. Well maybe the special teams (PFF grade of 90.3, highest in team history). Yes, there is a problem at the quarterback position. Also, the defense got used and abused by Gardner Minshew for the majority of the game. For five games the defense played out of its mind but lost the turnover battle. This game they can’t stop the Colts consistently and win the turnover battle. The NFL is such a weird league.

Let’s start with the quarterback position. Deshaun Watson had no reason to be playing in that game. I don’t care if it was only five passes, he was not ready. As the fans wait for a health report on Watson, alternatives have to be discussed. I’ve heard fans want to bring back Jacoby Brissett. No thanks, he’s a career backup who wins one and loses two. They already have that in P.J. Walker. I’m leaning towards Kirk Cousins. He’s on a team going nowhere, he has a no trade clause to prevent him from going to a team where he has to learn a new offense and he’s in the last year of his contract. The Browns and Vikings have already worked out a trade this season, (Za’Darius Smith), Cousin’s already knows Stefanski’s offense and if he’s successful, it increases his value in free agency. I’m not saying cut Watson, but if his injury is a season long thing, put him on IR and go get Cousins on a one-year rental. It’s just a thought, but the team can’t call up P.J. Walker again unless the sign him to the active roster.

Remember went the biggest worry for Browns fans was a kicker would cost the team the playoffs. Dustin Hopkins is now seven for seven on field goals of 50 yards or more. He’s the only kicker in NFL history to hit a 50 yarder in five straight games and he kicked a career long 58 yarder. What can you say about Myles Garrett? First time a player to have two sacks, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick in a game. He carried this team to a victory. DT Jordan Elliott and DT Dalvin Tomlinson have had two great games. On offense, the offensive line has found its rhythm and Jed Wills had another good game. All three running backs played well. Kareem Hunt looked like Kareem Hunt from two years ago.

As for opposing fans complaining about the Browns benefiting from poor officiating, shut up. Since 1999, NFL officials have found the most obscure rules to screw the Browns. For two straight games, the ball has bounced the Browns way. About damn time.

Pro Football Focus rankings. Offense, TE David Njoku (75.4), RB Jerome Ford (71.6), RT Dawand Jones (70.5), RG Wyatt Teller (66.0) and C Ethan Pocic (65.2). Defense, DE Myles Garrett (94.2), DT Dalvin Tominson (78.7) S Juan Thornhill (71.9), CB Denzel Ward (66.1) and DT Shelby Harris (60.8). The signings of Shelby Harris, Juan Thornhill and Maurice Hurst, the trades for Za’Darius Smith and Dustin Hopkins and the drafting of Dawand Jones have been moves by GM Andrew Berry that are paying big dividends. Jones had 40 pass blocking repetitions and allowed one pressure and zero sacks.

Now the team heads to Seattle where the Browns have only won three times. This is not going to be an easy game. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz needs to fix what the Colts offense did to the Browns defense. I guarantee the Seahawk’s coaching staff is watching the tape frame by frame. Let’s all hope the quarterback decision comes quickly this week. Stay safe and Go Browns.

This victory is the sweetest one so far. No one gave the Browns a chance against the so-called best team in the league. Hell, even some Browns fans were chalking this one up as a loss. It did appear to be pretty daunting. Injuries to key players, starting a third string quarterback, looked lost the previous game played versus Baltimore. San Fransico thought they were going to roll into Cleveland and walk all over the Browns. They even started a pregame fight. Well, the Cleveland defense brought San Fransico back to earth. How good is this Browns defense? Let me tell you.

They’re number one is first downs allowed (52), number one in third down conversion rate percentage allowed (23.1%) and total yards allowed (1002). The Browns played man to man 71% of 49ers QB’s drop backs. Brock Prudy was six of nineteen for 51 yards in those drop backs. Cleveland’s defense plays man to man the sixth highest rate in the league. When they do they allow a QBR rating of 7.5, yards per play of 4.7 yards and a completion rate of 44%. All three categories are number one in the NFL. This defense is elite. They’re number one in defensive efficiency.

On offense, the Browns have some work to do. They’re 30th in offensive efficiency. The running game started to come around, 160 yards rushing is very good considering there’s no Nick Chubb. The offensive line played better considering Joel Bitonio didn’t play and the 49er defense was second in the NFL against the run. Creative play calling helped to set up the run. Even Jedrick Wills had a good game. He still made two or three mistakes, but it was his best game this year, however that’s not a very high bar. Third string quarterback P.J. Walker was good, but still made mistakes. His second interception was a designed QB run, but he thought he saw something and threw the pass. The Browns have played thirteen third string quarterbacks since 1999 and Waker was the first on to win a game. So I’ll take it. This might have been head coach Kevin Stefanski’s best game play calling.

Pro Football Focus ratings: Offense, TE David Njoku (77.7), RT Dawand Jones (73.5), C Ethan Pocic (71.9), WR Amari Cooper (71.3) and Kareem Hunt (69.8). Defense, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (89.8), DT Dalvin Tomlinson (72.9), DE Ogbo Okoronkwo (71.7), S Juan Thornhill (70.9) and DE Myles Garrett (66.3).

Moving on, the prevailing thought is QB Deshaun Watson and LG Joel Bitonio will be healthy enough to play next week against the Colts. Watson needs to get back in the grove he had for the last three quarters of the Titan game. Hopefully the offensive play calling will continue to evolve. Enjoy your week Browns fans and stay safe. Go Browns.

Name a Browns season that hasn’t been a roller coaster ride, but this is getting ridiculous. A complete embarrassment of a game. Talk of a changing culture in Cleveland? Not when it comes to the Steelers and the Ravens. Same old, same old. The Browns chance to win the AFC North just got slimer. Don’t get me wrong, there is still a possibility, both Cincinnati and Pittsburg are train wreaks right now, but if Lamar Jackson keeps playing like he did yesterday, Baltimore is the class of the AFC North.

I’ll start the blame game with head coach Kevin Stefanski. Seven of his first ten plays were pass play. Pass plays. Pass plays with a rookie quarterback. The first play was a running play and went for 25 yards and of course the offense gets called for a penalty. But the play worked. Even down 14-3, you continue to try and run the ball. Nope, Stefanski was determined to make Dorian Thompson-Robinson into Deshaun Watson. Not having running back Nick Chubb is really hurting this team. Do the Browns have a great offensive line? Not right now. Chubb helped cover up poor line play. The Browns don’t have another player who can do that. What in god’s name is wrong with Elijah Moore? Bonehead play after bonehead play. All in all, I think it’s time for Alex Van Pelt to start calling plays.

On defense, the team started out great. A three-and-out on the Ravens first two possessions. Then after an interception, one play, one Jackson rushing touchdown. I believe the Browns defense spent the entire second quarter on the field. Then add the fact they couldn’t tackle and it’s a recipe for disaster. I still believe the defense is legit, these kinds of games are going to happen, but man that was brutal. At least the team has a kicker.

The whole question of Watson starting led to this loss. We may never know what really happened, but the situation was a major failure. So what happens next. I hope the Browns will consider signing a veteran tackle who will actually play. Getting Kareem Hunt more involved in the offense would also help. Get backup quarterback P.J. Walker up to speed. By the way, Josh Dobbs was not going to win that game. And finally, more impute from Alex Van Pelt. It’s only game four and there are thirteen games left. When I first saw the schedule, I hated the week five bye, but now I’m grateful for the timing. This team needs this bye right now. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Living in Nashville, TN this one is much sweeter. All week, Browns fans here in the Music City heard the noise from the local sports experts pick the Titans to win because of the way the Browns played against the Steelers. Their reasoning was, the Titans finally won a game and stopped an eight-game losing streak. They felt their team turned the corner and because “Cleveland is Cleveland” and the Browns were in disarray after Monday night. They didn’t know, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is a great game planner on a short week. They also forgot the Browns were 17-9 at home under Stefanski. They didn’t consider just how great the Browns defense is. Surprise.

After three games the Browns defense has allowed 163.7 total yards a game (1st), 52 rushing yards (1st), 111.7 passing yards (1st), seven first downs (1st), third down conversion rate of 19.51% (1st) and 10.7 points allowed (1st). They’re allowing 3.2 yards per play and opponents are going three and out 61.5% of the time. Every position group on this defense has elite players. With this defense, all quarterback Deshaun Watson had to do was be average. He was better than average, he was really good. Watson, after watching the Steeler game three times, once with the team, once with Stefanski and once by himself, told the head coach, he needed to be in the shotgun with an empty set. Kudos to Kevin Stefanski for listening to his quarterback and not being stubborn. Watson threw some incredible passes. They didn’t all connect, but 81% of them did. I’ll take that any day of the week. Don’t get me wrong, the Titan run defense is legit, but their pass defense is atrocious. I was glad to see the offense attack the perimeters. That’s how the running game will work in future games. Finally, the Browns have a kicker.

Pro Football Focus grades: Offense, TE Harrison Bryant 75.1, QB Watson, 74.6, WR Amari Cooper 72.3, RT Dawand Jones 65.3 and C Ethan Pocic 64.3. Defense, DE Myles Garrett 93.3, DE Alex Wright 90.5, DT Maurise Hurst 89.6, LB JOK, 87.1, LB Anthony Walker 84.7 and DE Za’Darius Smith 70.7.

Next week the Browns host the Ravens and QB Lamar Jackson will be a challenge, but the Browns have played him well at home. Enjoy your victory Monday, stay safe and Go Browns.

The season isn’t over after two games. Yes, the loss of running back Nick Chubb is devastating and it changed the complexation of the game. Now the team has a short week to forget about the Steelers game and get ready for the Titans. A short week is a good thing. In Cleveland right know, fans are again overacting to a game. But it was the strangest game I ever saw. I’ve never seen part of a first quarter played twice, WTF. Two things I know, the offense is still not there, and the defense has the potential to be very good. I’ll wait till after week six to call this the Browns best defense. You can’t argue, if the defense can play like that every week, they’ll keep this team in games until the offense comes around.

The problem with the offense, QB Deshaun Watson is still not right. It seems the game is still too fast for him. When he got a rhythm going, he was very good, but stupid penalties broke that rhythm. I’ve never seen a quarterback get two facemask penalties in a game. Total loss of composure. Fans can blame LT Jedrick Wills, but you also have to blame RG Wyatt Teller and C Ethan Pocic. Drive killing penalties on both. It’s time to replace WR DPJ as the punt returner. He cost the team around 30 yards by no fielding the punt. Unacceptable. Like I said it was a weird game. The Steelers never got into the redzone. They had nine first downs, were four of fourteen on third down and generated minus seven offensive yards in the fourth quarter. No team can win a game with four turnovers, no team.

PFF grades on defense: DE Myles Garrett, 91.3, S Grant Delpit, 90.0, DT Maurice Hurst, 82.2, DE Ogdo Okoronkwo, 80.8 and DT Shelby Harris, 79.5. PFF grades on Offense: WR Amari Cooper, 81.4, RB Jerome Ford, 78.1, RG Wyatt Teller, 76.3, C Ethan Pocic, 74.1, QB Deshaun Watson, 59.1. RT Dawand Jones had a passing rating of 74.6, the best passing rating on the offensive line.

With the season ending injury to Nick Chubb, the Browns should be in the market for a number two running back. I have confidence that Jerome Ford can handle the load, but a veteran backup is needed. The best available free agent is Leonard Fournette. Running backs available in realistic trades are Cam Akers, Cardarrelle Patterson, Michael Carter and Rashaad Penny. No, the Browns are not going to trade for Jonathan Taylor or resign Kareem Hunt.

As for the rest of the AFC North, Baltimore is 2-0 only because they have a healthy QB Lamar Jackson. Their offense is still not firing on all cylinders, but Jackson is making the difference. Pittsburg is 1-0 and their defense is great, and their offense is terrible. If they don’t change their quarterback and or the offensive coordinator during the season, Mike Tomlin will have his first losing season. In Cincinnati they’re 0-2 and their franchise quarterback has a calf injury to his plant leg, and he just can’t throw the ball accurately.

The Browns had the opportunity to put this game away late in the third quarter after the Steelers got within three with a field goal. All they had to do is run the ball. Even if they had to punt, the Browns defense continually stopped a terrible Steelers offense. The Browns possessed the ball for over ten minutes in the fourth quarter. The way the defense was playing, I honestly thought the final score would be Browns 22, Steelers 19. Like Woody Hayes always said, “three things happen when you throw the ball and two of them are bad.” Stay safe and Go Browns.

Cleveland is Cleveland. How about those Elves? This win feels different than last year’s opening game win. Last year’s team wouldn’t have survived two turnovers. Last year’s team wouldn’t have survived the weather. The tone was set from the very first play. Defensive end Za’Darius Smith hit Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow as he was trying to throw a pass. Cincinnati’s offensive line had no answer for the Browns defensive line. DC Jim Schwartz brought the pressure and Burrow felt it. A good defense can pressure opposing QB’s successfully when the secondary covers very well, and that’s what the Browns did. Bengal wide receiver Tee Higgins didn’t have a catch. Tyler Boyd only had two catches for ten yards and elf hater Ja’Marr Chase only had five catches for 39 yards. Burrow had the worst game of his professional career.

On offense, you could tell the weather was affecting the passing game, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was overthrowing and underthrowing his passes. In the second half, head coach Kevin Stefanski put the ball in Nick Chubb’s hands and Watson made enough plays to make the difference. The first touchdown was an audible by Watson, and the Bengal defense fell for it. Wide receiver Marguise Goodwin was only in the game for ten plays, but his presence has felt. Both the long passes to him were incomplete, but he was able to get behind Cincinnati’s secondary easily. The Bengals had to respect him when he was on the field. WR Donovan Peoples-Jones had a couple of clutch catches and WR Elijah Moore showed his speed. Finally, I think the Browns have found their kicker and the special teams played very well.

The top five offensive players rated by Pro Football Focus were: RB Nick Chubb, 76.6, LG Joel Bitonio 74.9, WR Amari Cooper 70.3, Elijah Moore 67.2 and Deshaun Watson 66.8. The top five defensive players rated by Pro Football Focus were: S Grant Delpit 91.3, Za’Darius Smith, 90.5, Myles Garrett 89.9, Greg Newsome 79.8 and Shelby Harris 69.9. The Browns defense held the Cincinnati offense to 142 total yards, 67 passing and 75 yards rushing for 2.6 yards per play.

The Browns now head to Pittsburg for another important game. My main worry about this game is the play of the Browns offensive tackles. Due to the injury to RT Jack Conklin, rookie Dawand Jones will start and have to block the Steelers T.J. Watt. On the other side, LT Jedrick Wills was the weak spot on the offensive line. Let’s see what the coaching staff comes up with to deal with the Steelers pass rush. Enjoy this victory, stay safe and Go Browns.

Another year and another highly anticipated week one in the NFL. Browns fans are either convinced this is the year or convinced it’ll be a disaster. There’s never any middle ground. Right now, throughout the world, Browns Backer clubs are gearing up for game one. Presidents and their board members are anticipating their club’s biggest crowd, until late in the season if the team gets on a run to the playoffs. It’s an exciting time to be a Browns fan and a busy time to be a club president.

It was my honor to serve as president of the Middle Tennessee Browns Backers for fifteen years. The hardest part of the job was finding an establishment to show the games. First, I had to convince the owner or manager that yes there are Browns fans in Nashville, TN. and they would gladly show up every game day to watch, eat, drink and spend their hard-earned money in their establishment. Next, I had to negotiate the signs, posters and flags that the club would put on the walls. Could we keep them up all season? If not, could we store them in the establishment? Some places agreed to the first, some agreed to the second, one agreed to neither and we had to take them down and put them back up before and after every game. Whatever made the owner or manager happy. You had to have the mentality of an arbitrator.

The club really got lucky when we could use the same establishment for consecutive years. In the off-season my wife and I would always frequent the place to show our support. Prior to the first game, the club would have a pregame tailgate party either outside or inside the establishment. The only stipulation was you had to be a dues paying member or an out-of-town guest to eat and drink. It was always a good time. I’m glad to see the Middle Tennessee Browns Backers continues this tradition.

This Sunday, my wife and I will head to The Nashville Palace and join our fellow Browns Backers for the pregame tailgate party and see friends we haven’t seen since last year. The current president Ernie Nagy, his wife Janet and their entire family do a great job in running the club. I thank every year and Ernie will ask me if want to be president again. Sorry, I did my time. If you haven’t visited your local Backers club, I encourage you to do so. There’s nothing like watching a Browns game with like-minded individuals. Stay safe and Go Browns.