Cleveland Browns: The Most Important Week Since 1999

Heading into the final five games of the 2020 season, the Cleveland Browns are sitting nicely at the fifth seed of the AFC Playoff race. Along with everything else this year, this is not a joke. With a record of 8-3, they are second in their division behind the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers. However, they only have one win against a team with a winning record. They beat the Indianapolis Colts way back in Week 5. With virtually no chance to catch the Steelers, the Browns must rely on one of the three wildcard spots. That brings us to this week. A pivotal match-up on the road against the 8-3 Tennessee Titans. A true test from a formidable opponent. It is the most important week for the Browns since 1999.

Wasn’t There A Playoff Game?

Yes. In 2002 the Browns went 9-7. They almost won a wildcard match-up against the Steelers but fell short. Does anyone remember Kelly Holcomb? He was the biggest thing in Cleveland for about two months. He even had his own mustard and sold it in stores, regionally of course. That playoff game was the most important week for the Browns until now. Given the expectations from the 2002 team compared to the current team, this week’s regular-season game against the Titans means much more. Eighteen years of anguish, heartache, and finding ways to lose that have never been seen before. I’m talking to you Dwayne Rudd and your premature helmet toss. The Browns hold the embarrassing mark for the longest active playoff drought at 18 years. Tampa Bay is second at 13 years. This is the week where it all begins. It could start something big in Brownstown for years to come. Or it could all start to unravel and fall apart in ways that are all too familiar.

Baker’s Critics

I do not understand some fans who are critical of Baker Mayfield‘s play, some going as far as questioning his future with the team. They are having the best season since their expansion team came back to the league over 20 years ago. The Browns are 8-3 and very much in the playoff picture and Cleveland fans are complaining? I’m not ready to jump ship after a few errant passes. If Mike Holmgren would have thought that way, then Brett Favre would never have been a Hall of Famer with a ring. Should Baker be able to hit a wide-open receiver 10 yards downfield rolling to his right? Absolutely, and he’ll tell you that as he channels his inner Ron Swanson.

.@bakermayfield dropped the Ron Swanson quote during his presser ?

(via @thecheckdown)pic.twitter.com/FdR9p7Lirm

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 30, 2020

Fans who actually know the game of football understand his value and see his continued growth as a quarterback. Dan Orlovsky was a quarterback in the NFL. He is best known for the infamous safety he took as he unknowingly ran out the back of the endzone when he played for the Detroit Lions. A play that will no doubt live on as one of the most unaware and boneheaded plays in recent NFL history. Despite the inconsistent career Dan has had on the field, he has turned into a successful football analyst for ESPN. He sees all of the positives from Baker’s play and points out a few things that the average fan won’t catch.

Credit where’s it due. @bakermayfield hasn’t turned the ball over in a month. Love this 3 play stretch from him here! @Browns #NFLGamePass pic.twitter.com/TAk06S1SaD

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) December 1, 2020

Buckle Up Browns Fans

This final five-game stretch will feature three teams with winning records. Two of which are divisional leaders in the Steelers and Titans. It will prove to be a wild finish. It must be refreshing for Browns fans to be able to live this out. At this point in the season, the storyline is usually the Browns are on their fifth starting quarterback and interim head coach. Now they have the first slot at 1:00 p.m. for CBS with heavy playoff implications on the line. I forgot to mention, this will be Myles Garrett‘s first game back from Covid-19. We will see the Cleveland Browns take their best shot on Sunday in the most important week for the franchise since 1999. Which way will the pendulum fall for one of the most doomed franchises in the history of all sports? In the year of changes, I think it’s time the Browns changed their fortune once and for all.

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