NFL

Browns Beat Steelers and Save Mangini

In the off-season the Cleveland Browns quickly scooped up the former New York Jets coach, Eric Mangini. Then they did the unheard of in hiring him, even before they filled their GM opening. Like that wasn’t insane enough, the geniuses that run the Browns decided to let Mangini pick the new GM. After the Browns horrible start to the season, they quickly got rid of the new GM and many experts stated that Mangini could very well follow him out the door at the end of the season.

The Browns came into Thursday’s night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a pathetic (1-11) record. During most of their games this season, they haven’t even been competitive. The Pittsburgh Steelers had lost their last four games after starting the season (6-2). The defending Super Bowl Champions needed a win Thursday night in the worst possible way. Isn’t playing the Cleveland Browns just what the doctor ordered? Forget the fact that the Steelers gave away games to the Chiefs and the Raiders. They have owned Cleveland ever since the Browns came back into the league in 1999. The Steelers had beaten the Browns the last 12 times they played! Evidently, not even playing against the Browns will save the Pittsburgh Steelers this season.

The Browns surprised the Steelers and the rest of the NFL by pulling of a 13-6 victory Thrusday night. At one point the Browns were leading this game 13-0. They found a way to pull of the win without Brady Quinn even passing for 100 yards.

The Browns were carried by Joshua Cribbs, and quite possibly their greatest defensive game in the past couple of years. Cribbs broke off a 55-yard punt return and 87 yards rushing on only 8 carries. You might need to read this next part a couple of times, for the information to truly set in. The Cleveland defense sacked Ben Roethlisberger eight times! Corey Williams and Marcus Benard had 2 sacks a piece. The Browns signed Marcus Benard off of their practice squad on November 10th . The game against the Steelers was only his third career NFL game.

By pulling off a victory over their long time rival, the Cleveland Browns have more than likely saved coach Eric Mangini’s job. Yes, that really is about all it takes to give Mangini one more season to make progress with the team.

Top 10 Reasons You Should Watch The Cleveland Browns

Sometimes I feel like I need to go to one of those meetings. You know the one’s where you go and talk to people about stuff you’re having problems with. You feel comfortable talking to this group because they all have the same problem as you do. They understand you. I need to go to one of these, stand up and say, “Hi I’m Bryan and I’m Cleveland Browns fan.” Do they have groups like this? If not, they sure should. No matter what happens though, I still love my Brownies. Sometimes, I just need a reminder of why I put myself through this every Sunday. You know what? You should watch the Browns, too. Let me give you ten reasons why. Read more…

Leave Tony Romo Alone for One Week

It is the month of December, which means the Dallas Cowboys will play the whipping boy of the NFL.  I will admit the Cowboys as a team deserve all the criticism that can be dished out.  They always start out seasons strong and then fall apart in the final month of the season. 

The Cowboys lost the first of their four December games this past Sunday to a struggling New York Giants team.  The Giants did play a lot better last week than in the past few weeks, so I am reluctant to blame the loss solely on a December Dallas collapse.

The Cowboys still have four games left in the regular season, since their last game is not until January third.  This December, the Dallas Cowboys could play well and still end up tumbling down the standings.  Just look at the teams they have to play and it’s easy to see how they could play their best December in years and still keep up the losing tradition.  They play the (9-3) San Diego Chargers this week, and then play the undefeated Saints next week at New Orleans.  They get a slightly easier game on December 28^th against the Washington Redskins, but the Redskins have been playing very competitive ball of late.  The Redskins have lost their last three games, but only by a combined seven points.  After the ’Skins, the Cowboys get the pleasure of playing the Philadelphia Eagles in week 17.  What a brutal schedule to end the season with! 

No matter how hard their schedule is, Dallas has put in years of hard work to gain their December reputation.  In the past 4 seasons, Romo has lead them to a 5-9 record in December.  He has done plenty more harm to his team than helped them in this stretch by throwing 19 interceptions and only 4 touchdowns.

There is one thing going around the net that I just can’t stand though.  Romo is getting thrown into the fire for the loss the Cowboys took from the Giants this past week.  Are you serious?  You can hound the guy all you want to for his pathetic play during the past four Decembers, but not for that game.  The guy threw for 382 yards and three touchdowns without any interceptions.  The team you can bash for that loss, but at least for one game this December, Romo is off limits.

NFL Player Power Rankings: The Best of Week 13

Week 13 of the NFL was full of great performers.  The competition for the top 5 was so ruthless that I left off a guy that passed for 400 yards.  I’m sure I will catch a ton of flack for that one, but these 5 guys played mistake-free football.  Here are my power rankings for the top 5 individual players of week 13. Read more…

Washington Redskins Play Santa and Give Early Christmas Gift to New Orleans Saints

The Washington Redskins have noticed that Christmas is almost here and they decided to get in the giving spirit.  They should be proud of themselves.  After all, this was a complete team effort; no one player could do that much giving on his own.  In the end, all their gifts added up to 33-30 loss for them, and a still undefeated season for the New Orleans Saints. Read more…