The Battle of Ohio

Good Morning Browns fans! While the Browns rested up and got healthy, we got to watch Baltimore and Cincy beat up on each other. It pained me to have to actually cheer FOR the Ratbirds on Sunday, but they eventually got the job done and knocked off the Bengals. The loss dropped Cincy to 6-4 heading into this Sunday's pivotal match-up with us. SHOULD we have any real chance against an experienced playoff team like the Bengals when their backs are up against the wall? Probably not. We have a journeyman quarterback and NO running game. That would seem to be a recipe for a ferocious pass rush and little offensive success for the Browns. The Bengals SHOULD come out flaming to try and knock down their northern state-mate quickly. BUT.... the Browns have already beat the Bengals this year without a running game to speak of...as the Ravens did yesterday. The Browns nasty defense is getting better week by week. They bring heat on nearly every play and Dalton can be rattled. The Bengals have an annoying habit (if your a fan) of playing up to or down to the level of the competition every week. A close physical contest favors Cleveland and their stout front seven. As a Browns fan, I want to be thankful for an improving team with a solid coaching staff that seems to have a bright future (FINALLY), but in the NFL, the time is NOW. If our nasty defense can dominate up front and stop the run we could actually sniff the playoffs THIS year. The start of Sunday's contest is crucial. Like Rocky Balboa against Clubber Lang in the second fight, the Bengals are gonna try and kill us quick. The longer the Browns can stay in the contest, the more confident we will become...and the heavier the nagging cloak of doubt will weigh on Cincy. Will we be victorious? I think it depends on the turn-overs. If we win that battle, I think we can win the war.