That was a dud of a game yesterday, but it was stress-free Browns football. The Browns have played in meaningless year end games before, only because they were terrible. Then we as fans had to wait till the next day to see if the GM and/or head coach would be fired on “black Monday.” Those days are gone. Yes, the backups looked terrible against the Cincinnati starters, but who cares. Their playoff seed was already locked up and all they had to do was play a game and get the hell out of Cincinnati unscathed. There were a couple of injuries, DT Shelby Harris and WR Cedric Tillman. Harris has a shin injury and Tillman is in concussion protocol. It was good to see WR Elijah Moore, DE Ogbo Okoronkwo and P Cory Bojorquez return and play. Hopefully the rest will help with the return of S Juan Thornhill, WR Amari Cooper and K Dustin Hopkins.
As for the game, like I said, I really didn’t care. The only question to be asked is did Jeff Driskel do enough to be the backup QB for the playoffs? P.J. Walker has won some games for the Browns this year, but I think the team has got all they could get out Walker already. The team will practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. Still no news on if S Grant Delpit will be able to return for the playoffs. I did notice the team took S Ronnie Hickman out of the game yesterday pretty early, that might mean the team is getting ready to be without Delpit. Finally, congratulations to DE Isaiah McGure on recording his first NFL sack.
Because the Jaguars faltered down the stretch and exhibited terrible play calling in the final moments of the Titan game, Cleveland will travel to Houston for their wildcard game. While most Browns fans are concerned about facing Houston and C.J. Stroud, I’m not. I have faith in the Browns coaching staff and the key players performing well. The Texans do get defensive help with both their pass rushers and their best linebacker returning from injury, but the last time I looked, their starting cornerbacks are still playing and Cooper and Flacco lit them up last time.
If the Browns can take care of business in Houston, their probable next opponent would be in Baltimore. However, there is a scenario where the Browns could host the next game. The Browns need to beat Texans, the Steelers need to beat the Bills and the Dolphins need to be the Chiefs, then the Browns would host the Dolphins in a divisional game. Going to Baltimore seems to be more realistic, but you never know, it’s been a strange year in the NFL.
The Browns 2024 opponents have been announced. Cleveland will host the Bengals, Steelers, Ravens, Chargers, Chiefs, Cowboys, Giants and Dolphins. Cleveland will travel to the Bengals, Steelers, Ravens, Broncos, Raiders, Commanders, Eagles and Jaguars. It’s been a while since the Browns and the Eagles have played overseas, so this game might be the one. Because the NFC has the extra home game in 2024, the Eagles would be the home team.
Finally, because it’s “black Monday” some Browns fans are worried about losing defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to another team if they hire him as their head coach. I’m not worried. He loves Cleveland and the trend now in the league is to hire young up and coming coordinators. Schwartz will turn 60 this year. Also, it would have to be the perfect situation, and right now I don’t see that situation. Besides he’s being paid extremely well by the Browns.
It’s playoff week Browns fans. enjoy the week, stay safe and Go Browns.