No, today’s game isn’t David v. Goliath. Not this year. Not this day. It’s just playoff football … at last … for the Cleveland Browns.
The Cleveland Browns have added to recent seasons’ successes to (finally) become a playoff team. But going back in time, this team was in the garbage pail with a zero-win season mixed in. Then, seven wins …and well…the Browns beat archrival Pittsburgh in 2020 during a year when the Steelers enjoyed an undefeated run well into the regular season.
So I think we can say with confidence that Cleveland is back. They’re awake and serious about football.
I will be honest with you (and it’s not a knock on Baker Mayfield’s playing ability), but all Mayfield had to do was step into his position. That’s because the overall machine was in working order. The defense is the main component for success, and the addition of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to the offense propelled this team to the success they are enjoying currently.
And for football fans–not just Cleveland fans–the Browns are a joy to watch.
The Browns have the skill, ability, and talent to be a nuisance in the playoffs, especially if they remember how they got there. But with any of these playoff-ready Super Bowl-hungry teams, that’s more easily said than done. One reason is that no team is either taken lightly or overlooked, and that includes the Browns. The 2020 version claimed double-digit victories, which was unthinkable five years ago.
It wasn’t a slow road to success for these Browns. It was more like an overnight turnaround.
Watching the Browns was like watching a baby fawn learning to walk on its own–slowly and feebly at first and, then–boom!–fast and shifty.
And ‘balance’ is the key to Cleveland’s emergence. During its re-emergence, there’s almost a 50/50 split between passing and rushing touchdowns. And the Browns will need to play balanced ball against the Steelers today, a playoff-proven, playoff-experienced opponent. Ben Roethlisberger is still around, so you know these archrivals won’t go down easily.
The Browns need to go into the game with the proper attitude. Don’t be satisfied just to have gotten to the playoffs. Go out there and grab a win!
So is today’s game an equivalent of David v. Goliath … a less experienced Browns going up against a steady and proven team? Well, before I answer, let’s consider the obvious: these teams played each other last week. The Browns won. Now, to advance, they have to repeat that feat.
No, today’s game isn’t David v. Goliath. Not this year. Not this day. It’s just playoff football … at last … for the Cleveland Browns.
