Really don't have a lot to say, just opening it up. They're really bad but they pulled a huge upset last Sunday, might be feeling chippy.
The real fun seems to be about where we are at the end of the day. If the Colts beat the Steelers and we don't step on our dick, we're headed for a showdown for the AFCN. If the Steelers win, we're in the playoffs. If the Dolphins lose to the Raiders, we're in the playoffs.
Nick Harris at RG as a non-surprise could be a bit of a challenge if Williams plays. He's a beast and Nick is a small-ish athletic center (great at leverage) playing guard. He'll be our long-term starting center soon but as a RG, he's no Wyatt Teller.
Haven't done homework on weather yet, or scouted the Jets beyond "they suck." Do they do anything well, like on defense?
Beat me to it, Shep. Very possible that the Browns are in the playoffs by Sunday at 4:30 pm.
Miami has a tough road ahead withe the Raiders and Buffalo.
If the Browns go 11-5, they have a 1% chance of missing the playoffs. The odds of that nightmare scenario playing out are miniscule.
Q is out, so that's great. Should be able to run.
Just about the only thing the Jets do well on defense is stop the run, a solid 4.0 per carry. But with Williams out against one of the league's best rushing teams, maybe not so much.
They're horrible based on yardage, points, and a DPR of 104. They don't get sacks, either. Weather is really good, 38 and sunny, not much wind. Could be another huge game for Baker.
Let's use the Jets as a tune up for the divisional title game.
Browns 38
Jets 17
with the Jets getting a latte score to make it look more respectable than it is.
Personally I am glad the Jets won last week. It does 2 things.
1) It gets the monkey off their back. Teams getting close to 0-16 start playing desparate...and sometimes desparation lands a punch. They got the win. They have dodged that bullet. Just like when you finally accomplish anything major in your life, there is a momentary let down, release, relaxation. The Jets themselves may be in for a let-down game this week.
2) It serves as a reminder to the Browns...on any given week. The Browns just saw this Jets team beat a playoff team last week. They now have immediate proof that this is not a game they can just throw their cleats on the field and win...they have to take it seriously and put the Jets in their place early. If I were Stefanski I would be making all the scenarios where the Browns miss the playoffs posters and put them all over the training facility, and screen savers of every laptop.
Here is a tidbit...the Jets have an 8 game streak of scoring on their 1st drive of the game. The Browns need to end that streak!!!
The Jets rush D is decent, but it does give up big plays. They have given up 9 of 20+ (T-17th), and 4 of 40+ (1 off the worst in NFL)....Browns give up 6/1 on that front. They are terrible on pass D...29th at Passer Rating (104.5), giving up 30 TD with only 10 INT's and 24 sacks.
Offensively the Jets are 31st in passing yards, 31st in passer rating, 30th in passing TD's, and 22nd (T) in INT's. They are 23rd in rush yards, have only 4 rushes of 20+, and 1 of 40+ yards.
If the Browns truly play to their potential, this is a blowout. I expect a win...but fear the Browns will sit people like Myles Garrett, Hooper, and Richardson.
Still
Browns 41
Jets 16
I think we'll take the pedal off the metal in the second half with a secure lead and probably sit some guys.
30-10 after a meaningless late Jets touchdown. Browns are up like 23-0 at the half, score a TD early in 3rd, sit some stars.
BTW, Quinnen Williams is out and headed for IR.
Speaking of the IR - looks like we get Ronnie Harrison back in time for a tune up before The War for the North.
We get Land Clark's officiating crew Sunday. Don't know much about him or his crew.
We should win comfortably. Jets are just plain awful, and our guys are so close to the playoffs they can taste it.
I just want a Browns win, Ravens loss, Dolphins loss and a Colts win. That's my Christmas wish.
Harrison is practicing, another good sign. He just might play.
I'm not imagining Stef opening up playbook so I expect same as Giants game: feed Chubb and Hunt, Baker scalpel, plenty of 13 personnel, defense opportunistic and solid.
I'm thinking 24-13 with a
Jets late TD and a 21-6 lead at half.
It feels a little like an NBA "rest game." Harrison looked good in practice but then Stef said he's unlikely to play. If it doesn't backfire, it's the right idea.
Think I am ready? Look at what my talented wife made me for Christmas.......
I did really good, too. Great LS tees with brownie, one white and one brown. Both really awesome, last one is just orange on brown like the color rush.
I got 2 new Browns caps...one new style, one with a 1946 patch....my wife sure knows/loves me.
I think this game is leaning into an opportunity for Baker to stay red f-ing hot. That's my reductive take. Good enough weather, one of the league's worst pass defenses, and #6 is seriously feeling his shit right now.
We should be able to run, especially with Q out. That should balance out Harris instead of Teller. But I'm feeling an aggressive passing attack from the first whistle, take a lead, then start grinding it out.
I'm repeating myself, but I think that early lead suppresses the score. I keep landing in that 27-10 range.
Browns flight delayed due to a COVID-19 positive test, which appears to be B.J Goodson.
Not great. I don't like COVID-19 disruptions.
It'll also be interesting to see what happens at the LB position. Is Mack Wilson going to get the nod, or is he still in the dog house? I hope Mack plays and has a monster game. Go flip Stefanski the ball Randall-Jackson style.
Oh, cool, we're out all of our wide receivers.
Landry, Higgins, DPJ, and Hodge all out for COVID close contacts.
Hope our TEs are ready to catch passes.
YIKES.
What the literal hell is this!?!
What did these fools do, all go to a party together!?!
We gotta hope Jed is cleared because it's gonna have to be ugly football time.
We literally have no WRs other than the practice squad guys. I hope Switzer is cleared too.
That's the sound of a 23 and 22 personnel base.
You can still pass from that, but whooo boy this is gonna be weird.
I don't care if the Jets are the worst team in football - If we win this, Stefanski locks up coach of the year.