Well this one ended the regular season with a thud didn’t it? But I’m not that upset. It was a meaningless game with nothing on the line other than the Browns attempting to tie the 1986 team for the second-most wins in a regular season in team history (12). Had the Browns won, they would have gone 12-5, while Bernie Kosar and the 1986 Browns went 12-4.
But the most important game of the season lies ahead, as 11-6 Cleveland travels to Houston to take on the 10-7 Texans next week in the AFC Wild Card Game. I won’t focus as much on this game in my article like I normally do, since it means nothing. But I will focus on what I saw from this game that could help the Browns next week. Instead of the normal Keys to Victory, Let’s take a look at some Playoff Prognostications!
The Browns got out of this one mostly healthy.
All things considered, Cleveland should be ready to go next weekend. Staying as healthy as they possibly could ahead of the Wild Card Game was priority number one. Even though we would have loved to have seen them get to 12-5, getting out of this one with the big players you have left and staying healthy, was more important.
The only big injury worry right now, is Shelby Harris. He’s one of those underrated, but key pass rushers the Browns need on that defensive line along with Myles Garrett, Za’Darius Smith and Ogbo Okoronkwo. Cleveland is going to need as many fresh pass rushers as they can get when they’re challenged by CJ Stroud next week.
He went down with a shin injury early in the game, but the good news is he walked to the medical tent under his own power. Hopefully it’s nothing too serious. If Harris can play against the Texans, he might be an X-factor. Houston is obviously going to key in on Garret and Smith. If Harris has a great game, he will be another strong pass rusher they’ll have to deal with. Prayers that he is okay and ready to go for next week!
Ogbo is back!
This one shocked me! After Ogbo Okoronkwo suffered a torn pec muscle earlier in the season and went on IR, I thought he was lost for the year. But before the game, I saw he was listed as active. I didn’t see him play too much, but I think he was just getting used to the speed of the game again, and getting adjusted to possibly play for next week.
Still, coming back that quick from a torn pec muscle?! That takes guts. Ogbo is one bad dude! If he’s even remotely healthy, he could be a problem for Houston. As I said when the Browns signed him, Ogbo is a unique pass rusher. He might be a big guy at 6’2, 250. But he has the dexterity and flexibility to be able to dip his pads low at weird angles, and spin off opposing offensive linemen. He also has the speed to still get to the quarterback too.
Do you guys remember when Derrick Thomas used to play for the Chiefs? Thomas was very strong. But where he was almost unblockable, was when he would move his body and dip his pads in such a way, that offensive linemen could not get a good grip on him. He got low and was extremely fast. But before they knew it, he was often in the backfield, and their quarterback was picking dirt out of his helmet after a sack! Ogbo plays like that for the Browns.
Jim Schwartz will be angry after this game.
Usually I wouldn’t say this is a good thing. But this could be a blessing in disguise for Cleveland. The Browns’ backups got smoked by the Bengals today in a meaningless game. But Jim Schwartz still cares. It doesn’t matter if the starters are playing, or if guys off the street are playing in preseason games. Coach Schwartz has a standard for everyone in his unit. He expects a tough, smart, physical defense. And he takes it personal when points are given up. He gets angry.
Some defensive coordinators get like that more than others. The best ones do for sure, though. Shoutout to my high school classmate, Carey defensive coordinator DJ Dyer. He coaches like Jim Schwartz does, which is a great thing! He was part of the Blue Devils’ staff that helped win the State Championship in 2021. And a big reason they took the trophy home, was because of the way his guys played defense. They were tough, physical, stingy, and they took it personal if teams ever scored on them. They took on the personality of their coach!
I hope Jim Schwartz and the Browns starters use this bad defensive day as motivation. If they do? Look out!
Houston, you have a problem!
Well folks, after a wild, wacky and downright insane regular season, the Cleveland Browns are set to begin the Playoffs against the Texans. Who’d a thunk it? After Nick Chubb went down. After Jack Conklin and Deshaun Watson both went down. After so many other starters went down, the Browns were not supposed to end up in this position. The injuries were supposed to kill them. This promising season was supposed to be ruined. But the Browns are not only alive and well, but they also have a legit shot to win next week in Houston!
Are you guys as excited as I am for this one? All next week leading up to the game is going to probably go as slow as molasses. But I absolutely cannot wait. Until then, Dawg Pound:
Thank you for reading, and as always GO BROWNS!
Statistical Leaders
Jeff Driskell: 13-26, 166 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Pierre Strong: 14 carries, 65 yards
David Bell: 4 receptions, 68 yards, 2 TDs
Source: ESPN
Picture Credit: clutchpoints.com
