Week 15: The Bengals host the playoff-hungry New Orleans Saints on Sunday
The Look Man traveled to Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday in order to answer the question at hand: is the Cleveland football club ready for the next step in the maturation process: winning a must-win game at home vs. a playoff caliber opponent? The answer came back a resounding no, but not without some substantial evidence of growth by the fledgling franchise.
The day was sneaky cold, with a gunmetal gray sky and temperatures in the high 30s. While no precipitation fell from the heavens, the moisture in the air was palpable and the 15-20 MPH wind gusts communicated the message that this was a day for Rust Belt football. The official crew consisted of Brain, Davey D, KT, Monty-Q and the Look Man, all attired in weather-appropriate Cleveland Browns attire specially selected for the occasion. The North Coast football season dictates a certain sartorial protocol in order to avoid being over- or under-dressed. Too much gear, and the quarter mile walk to the stadium bathes you in your own sweat. Too little, and the north wind bites into your posterior with the fury of a rabid pit bull. We parked at the usual reserved spot, and steeled ourselves for the 3-hour battle with the elements via a full complement of liquid heat and the banter of a crew ready for action. We equipped ourselves with flasks of additional fuel for ritualistic celebrations during the ball game, then trundled toward the gates to purchase our tickets from the legion of ticket scalpers en route.
After a quick stop to obtain tickets at a significant discount, we pressed pass the throng of Browns Backers heading to Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame sits adjacent to the stadium, its manicured lawns a magnet for juiced fans stumbling to the football shrine. The bullhorn edict, "Keep off the grass!" crackled past us as we made our way by the museum and on to Security. As we entered the gate, the kickoff occurred without our participation or approval. While getting our bearings, we decided to check the action at the closest aisle. We were greeted by Tim (Sofa Boy) Couch throwing a 78-yard TD on the first play from scrimmage to the waiting Quincy Morgan. The play obviously stunned the Colts’ defense, which was caught in man coverage on the play. The crowd erupted in unison as ‘Q’ romped to the paint, and the game was afoot.
While the offense wasn’t spectacular, Sofa Boy did manage a second TD pass on a wounded duck to Kevin (KJ) Johnson. The pass hung up for an eon due to the Flinging Futon hitting his hand on a helmet, but the net result was six points. Another drive ended in a long FG. The Browns defense went on to stuff the Colts for the rest of the first half en route to a 16-0 domination. Even Referee Ed (The Incredible Hulk) Hochuli’s bizarre calls just before the half couldn’t dampen our spirits. That is when the bottom dropped out.
Manning and the Colts came out with a stunning no-huddle offense in the second half, which completely bamboozled the Barking Dawg D. Unable to get nickel and dime packages onto the field, Manning carved the Browns up like a Christmas ham by audiblizing on 3rd down. The James Mungro (Jerry) 29-yard burst for the TD punctuated the opening drive of the second half and cast a feeling of foreboding. Still, the score was only 16-7, with Sofa Boy and the offense never having really been stopped in the first half.
The play selection by the Browns braintrust left much to be desired. What little creativity they might have had was stifled by Sofa Boy leading the troops backward on each possession with sacks and fumbles. Indy quickly scored on a second long drive that ate clock and wore down a confused Dawg D. Colts WR Marvin Harrison showed why he is the most productive receiver in the league with 9 catches for 172 yards. Manning’s audibles at the line in the face of 73,000 cheering fans constituted a virtuoso effort. Real worry was setting in as the Cleveland offense showed little signs of life and the D’s dead legs became obvious.
Late in the quarter, Sofa Boy finally upholstered a drive that concluded early in the 4th quarter with a TD run by William (The Exorcist) Green. The Browns led 23-14, showing signs of turning the game around. But the optimism was short-lived, as P&P marched down the field again for its 21st and 28th points of the half. Down 28-23 with little time left and no timeouts, Sofa Boy came up with one final drive. A burst by RB Jamel White was followed by a key pass interference call, placing the ball at the Indy 10-yard line with seconds to play. 1st and goal, pass incomplete, second and goal, Sofa Boy scrambles to the 5 yard line. 3rd and goal, incomplete pass to KJ. Fourth down. We joined hands, hoping for the miracle TD that would tie the game and propel the Browns deep into the playoff picture. Incomplete off the hands of rookie WR Andre Davis. Game over. Thanks for coming.
The incomplete pass signaled more than the end of the ballgame. It was, in effect, the grade for the Browns season. The Browns’ education in how to beat an opponent in a must-win, how to make game time adjustments to turn momentum, and how to preserve one’s playoff aspirations in a meaningful game, were incomplete as well. Granted, there were highlights, but the net effect was a feeling of disappointment, loss and frustration. Browns exec Carmen Policy expressed it best when he said, "I thought we were going to step up and understand what it was all about - playoffs, home field, dealing with the big game - and we just didn't do it. They don't know how to win in this kind of situation. It takes you to a different level when so much is on the line. We haven't learned how to deal with the major game. We haven't learned how to grasp control of the moment when you're on center stage."
While the Browns’ playoff hopes are still mathematically viable, they are as unlikely as a white Christmas in Hades. The Browns must win the remaining 2 games vs. Baltimore and Atlanta, combined with 2 losses by the Steelers. An AFC North Division title would be positive, but in truth, it would allow the team to back into the playoffs as opposed to showing real growth. A wildcard berth is even less likely, and the necessary permutations would fill this column without shedding real light.
The Look Man was somewhat disappointed in a couple of facets of the game. First, the offensive and defensive playcalling was pedestrian. In a late season, cold weather game, the home team needs to be more physical, calling "message plays" on short yardage that tell the opponent that it is going to be a long day at the office. Similarly, inside the 10-yard line late in the game, the home team must run the ball at least once, if only to serve notice. Finesse has no place in these situations. Raw, intimidating power is the only effective communication medium.
Secondly, the lukewarm fans sat back waiting for results instead of making things happen. Granted, they got louder when Manning was audiblizing in the second half, but Cleveland fans in the 80’s and 90s didn’t even let a QB communicate with his guys due to the incredible decibel level. My buddy Brain asked me about my most memorable Browns game and it was a playoff game in '85 vs. the Bills at old Cleveland Municipal. The Bills were driving for the winning score in regulation and the fans started cheering so loudly that the Look Man thought the place was going to collapse from simple harmonic motion. Browns LB Clay Matthews picked off Jim Kelly at the 3-yard line to end the threat and the place went bonkers. The current Browns Fan is a little too well-heeled for my tastes. The Look Man would love to see the Dawg Pound return to its former greatness, but it will take a few wins in situations like Sunday in order to propel the fans to that level.
There were other NFL games on this cold December Sunday, many with playoff implications. But none would eclipse the matchup on the shores of the Great Lake Erie in either suspense or emotion. Sure, the Bungals fell to 1-13, the Grayders bowed to the Marine Mammals, and the Tennessee Flaming Thumbtacks punished the Chowds on Monday Night, but on this weekend, center stage belonged to two Midwestern combatants seeking to claw their way into the playoffs for 2002. After the dust cleared, there was only one combatant left standing. The other is still looking for answers to the same questions raised going into the contest.
Looking ahead:
The AFC West battles internally with the Bolts at Chefs, and the Donkeys at Oaktown on Sunday. With Priest Holmes out, I like the Bolts to flambé the Chefs. The Grayders must take care of business at home to stay in the hunt after a disappointing loss to the Fish. Otherwise, both teams will be 9-6 headed into the final week of the season and an uncertain tiebreaker miasma.
The Browns go on the road against the old Browns in a battle. The winner would be a half game out of first place if the Stillers lose on Monday night, and possibly still in the Wild Card chase depending on the AFC East and West outcomes. Irrespective of these issues, second place in the AFC North is on the line, so it should be special.
Blitzburgh at Central Florida Cannonballs on Monday Night Football could well be the game of the week. A loss puts the Stillers in a must win for the AFC North, with only a half-game lead over the winner of the Browns-Ravens game. The Cannonballs would very much like home field advantage to avoid a trip to the Frozen Tundra in January. Get set for some clack-a-lackin’ in this one.
Out.
The Look Man
’s The Bengals host the playoff-hungry New Orleans Saints on Sunday. It will be the Bengals' last chance to avoid the first winless home schedule in team history. Simmons was asked if avoiding a 14- or 15-loss season is motivation for the team. "We're 1-13," he said. "It's bad right now. It can't get any worse than now. "If we win the last two games, that's good, but now we're at 1-13. Either way, it's going to stink."
Colts @ Browns:
16-0 halftime; tale olf two halves
Starvin Marvin toasting Henry
No huddle, no problema
Sofa still stinking on critical times; 3 and out; D can’t win em all; sometimes you have to yank the ute
Manning: His passes like eagles they flew; When faced with defenders they rose to the sky;
Grayders-Phish:
Outhit outplayed outcoached
Age issue on WRs Rice and Brown; Brown- WPP
One handed snag by Surtain "certain-ly" contributed to the win
Jason Taylor getting dirt on Loose Gannon ; Joe Gannon from Dragnet – Just the facts Ma’am
Time of possession story
NOLA @ Vikes
Gutsy call; fumble for Stuffedpepper, still scores
Randy Ratio ? Reverse from Bennett
Pride vs. Toughness
Icons face a resilient Bungals next week in PBS
Stillers – Panthers
Stillers got after it; Peete picked a peck of picked off passes;
@Tampa next week for Stillers; AFC North still up for grabs with 2 losses and 2 wins by CLE; Santa Claus is REAL dammit!
SD @ Buffalo:
Brees to the pine for The Water Boy: "That’s some high quality H2O."
Flutie – America’s midget to the rescue.
The Junction Boys – starring ? as Coach Bear Bryant
Trent Lott & Strom Thurmond issue; Don Nickles
Al Gore – no go in 04; Joe Lieberman vs W in the Super Bowl of political matchups
Smallpox vaccinations cleared; Bungals vaccinating opposign teams against whatever it is that makes them not be able to count to 11
Cardinal Bernard Law vs. Cornerback Ty Law ; I fought the Law and the Law won!
Chowds @ Thumbtax:
Santa’s sleigh pulled by Eddie (Boy) George and Robert Holcombe with McNair starring as Rudolph
Fisher with the beard looking like one of Santa’s elves if not the big guy himself
Brady Bunch struggled in a physical matchup
Defensive adjustment to the no-huddle; Browns need to review the tape to show how its done
Thumbtax turning it around at the right time with timely running, little passing
Priest Holmes – bum hip; could be the Bo Knows injury
G-men smash Cowpokes – Michael Jackson not happy with improvement ; Camp(o) Confusion ; Starsky getting decleated left and right
Harrington irregular heartbeat after seeing Sapp and Simeon up close and personal
Ed McMahon thought he may have already won, but no!
Iggles roll toward playoffs with Touchy doing a great job; Reid – COTY?
Home field for NFC will be ciritical; irght now looks like Iggles, Pack and Tampa
Jags @ Bengasl:
Curse of the Sambino
Counting Coup
Dick’s Disciples – denied 3 times before Corky crows
3 wise men bringing gifts
Mikey denying that he sought inside help on revamping the front office – fire your relatives you idiot