Bengals continue their wretched season and lose to the lowly 49ers. As a Cleveland fan, the result of that game pleases me. Two bad teams put up what sounds like (no nfl network and not worth going out for) a pretty bad performance. They’re the Cleveland opponent in weeks 16 and 17.
[Browns-centric talk]
The Bills/Browns game tomorrow is probably the most interesting game available in terms of playoff implications, but no one seems to be too interested outside of those cities. The Browns clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Tennessee loss, but even without the latter, they set themselves in great position with a win. The weather is supposed to be bad - snowy, windy, classic Cleveland December weather. Unfortunately I’m not sure the Browns have a classic Cleveland December offense.
Fortunately Lewis has recovered from his mid-season suckitude and has rattled off a month of good performances. I think the Browns could be a better rushing team with a back more suited to their style of blocking, though. The Browns have such a player on their roster - Jerome Harrison - who sees a few carries in the game, looks great on them, and then gets put on the inactive list for another month. I don’t know what the kid did to deserve his treatment, but he’s been electrifying on nearly ever run I’ve ever seen him make and yet he’s never given opportunities.
The Bills really aren’t a very good team. They’re statistically near last in both offense and defense, and 4 of their 7 wins were against Miami and the Jets. Still, they’re no pushovers and it’s a huge game. I expect the weather to be an equalizing factor as a significant advantage of Cleveland - the downfield passing game - will be somewhat nullified and the Bills run it decently.
Arguably the biggest regular-season game of the Browns in the last decade - in 2002 when they went to the playoffs they needed to have other teams win after their game, so they didn’t have their fate in their own hands like they do tomorrow.
If they win tomorrow, facing Cinci and SF for the rest of the year, they could win out and finish 11-5. Who’d have guessed? Unfortunately the Steelers have the tiebreaker, and it would require them to drop 2 and finish 10-6 to give up the AFC North title. In any case - go Jacksonville.
[/Browns-centric talk]
I don’t have a convenient place I can copy and paste spreads from and I’m a bit pressed for time after writing all that. If anyone wants to list them, feel free.
