The Cleveland Browns resume play following their bye week at 1-3. There is a common belief that they would be 0-4 if Carson Palmer had started at quarterback for the Bengals in the Browns’ 20-12 victory rather than backup Ryan Fitzpatrick. However, Palmer didn’t play and the brown and orange took their good fortune into their week off, and resume play on Monday Night Football.
Did I mention they are playing the World Champion New York Giants?
The same Giants who led the pre-season game they played in August 30-3 just shortly after the first quarter ended?
The Browns have started the season 0-2 at home, and are staring in the face of a three game losing streak at Cleveland Browns Stadium if they can’t beat the Giants on Monday night. When you play a 16 game schedule, every game is important, but Monday night’s contest is huge. This team quite simply can’t drop to 1-4 and 0-3 at home.
How do you avoid this situation?
You pull out all the stops. I understand the Browns wanted to get back to the running game against the Bengals, and there is no problem with that. Jamal Lewis is a weapon, and the pounding he provides wears down defenses as games go on. It also eases some of the burden on the struggling Derek Anderson. However, if offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski has to call some gimmick plays to open up the Giants’ eyes early in the game, this is the game to do it.
Why not let Josh Cribbs throw a pass? Why not run end arounds or flea-flickers? On defense, why not blitz Eli Manning? Pull out all the stops. Leave nothing on the table. To quote Al Davis, “It’s time to just win, baby”. Of course, Davis said that when we was trying to win football games, instead of being in the firing coaches business.
If the Cleveland Browns want to get back in the playoff mix, they have to win against the Giants. Romeo Crennel needs to send that message to every player and coach in the organization. A loss likely means that the vultures will be circling each and every week for the remainder of the season.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 
The win verse the Bengals was worse than any of their losses this year "I seriously mean that" Marvin Lewis had no respect for Cleveland, he honestly felt they could beat the Browns while Carson Palmer rested up for Dallas. "His gamble almost paid off"
I never imagined myself dreading the thought of a MNF game in Cleveland, but Romeo Crennel and his 3-4 defense verse Brandon Jacobs may get ugly. And let us not forget about Plaxico and his ‘coming out of suspension’ party. As for the offense, 46 points in 4 games adds up to embarrassment for fans like me who proclaimed this team as an offensive threat. Yes, the potential is still there, getting Dante finally on the field will help, Ryan Tucker will bring some strength and toughness to the line, but the play calling has been simplified too much for a guy who is turning out to be Tim Couch all over again. As I watched Drew Brees last Monday I envisioned Brady Quinn leading the Browns down the field in the same fashion. Rob Chudzinski is in my opinion a good offensive mind, but what I see is Romeo Crennel’s fingerprints all over his play calling sheet…. Trying to hide Derek Anderson’s flaws should not be the motivating factor in the game plan instead it should be doing everything possible to utilize the weapons that this team has!!! If Anderson can’t do it and they don’t want to use the "other guy" than maybe they should learn from the sandlot style that the Dolphins are using to win games. Maybe Josh Cribbs can run this offense better than Derek Anderson "I would not complain if they gave it a try"
I respect your writing style, but your optimism for this team comes only from your heart, it does not come from what you and I have witnessed on the field these past few weeks. This team is primed and ready to select one of Mel Kiper’s 2009 top 5 prospects. Yes, if they win this game things can swing them back into respectability, but not playoff contention.
Demetrius: I’m not particular optimistic about this game, I’m just pointing out that the same old game plan will not work against the Giants. I agree with you about the sandlot style. Josh Cribbs has thrown one pass in four years!!! They have this great weapon and they do not use it. I’m just trying to say if they don’t try something different, starting with Monday night, you are right. This team will go something like 4-12.
JD