So Close, but Still Reason for Optimism

C’mon, you didn’t really think the Browns were going to go into Pittsburgh and knock off the Steelers, did you?  They did give a game effort in the 31-28 loss to the black and gold yesterday, but this is a time for optimism.  Why?  Look at the remaining games on the Browns schedule.  If the injury bug doesn’t bite too hard, there is a very good chance this team can win five of the last seven to finish 10-6.  Heck, they might win six of seven because the next week’s game at Baltimore looks winnable considering the Ravens’ struggles.

I wanted to see how the high flying Browns’ offense fared against a good defense, and in the second half Pittsburgh dared Derek Anderson to throw short passes and he wasn’t nearly as successful as he has been for much of the season.  Now, offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski and Anderson have to change some things up as well, since they will likely see the same strategy from other teams from here on out.  The Browns had receivers open on some short crossing routes, but Anderson had balls knocked down at the line, or threw behind his targets.

The game changed on Jamal Lewis’ fumble in the third quarter with the Browns leading 21-9.  It’s time to vent about something here.  I can’t stand the hold a guy up and try to strip the ball away from him play.  It’s cheap.  I know every team does it, not just the Steelers, but when you were a kid and guys did that on the playground, you would say it’s a cheap play.  In essence, Lewis was penalized for trying to get extra yardage, and that’s against the spirit of the rules.  Anyway, that fumble reversed the good momentum the Browns had built up.

The defense did some good things, mostly sacking Ben Roethlisberger four times after recording just seven sacks in the first eight games.  I couldn’t believe Willie Parker had over 100 yards rushing because outside of one long first quarter gain, I thought the Browns did a good job of controlling him.  However, the defenders couldn’t get off the field.  They allowed numerous first downs despite having Pittsburgh in several third and long situations.  Two back breakers were a 3^rd and 18 where Roethlisberger completed a 20-yard pass to Heath Miller, and a 3^rd and 9 where the big QB scrambled for ten to keep the winning drive alive.

You can’t talk about yesterday’s game without mentioning the tremendous effort of Joshua Cribbs on kickoff returns.  We’ve been touting Cribbs all year as a possible Pro Bowl performer, and he showed he deserves to be in Hawaii on Sunday.  I still don’t know how he stayed in bounds on the touchdown return in the second half, and he came three yards short of having two TD’s after getting tripped up on one in the first half.  I still would like to see the former Kent State product on offense a little bit, but he is so valuable on special teams, both as a returner and a tackler, I’m sure the staff doesn’t want to wear him out.

You can blame Romeo Crennel for wasting two timeouts following the Steelers last touchdown, but it’s obvious he was getting bad advice.  There was no reason to challenge that call.  Having a time out on the last drive could have allowed Phil Dawson to attempt his field goal a few yards closer, and that is precisely all he needed.

So it’s on to Baltimore next week to take on the Ravens.  It’s a chance for the Browns to establish themselves as the second best team in the AFC North, and to knock off another team with wild card aspirations.  If Cleveland wins, it will be very difficult for Baltimore to pass the Browns in the standings.  The Browns can’t allow themselves to have a hangover from yesterday’s loss.  The playoffs are there for the taking if they can continue to beat the teams they should beat.