Browns MUST beat the Steelers Sunday...

i've said that before on other post but was shut down by alot of people saying that dobbs not hill and so forth. i agree because it would give any different type of element might help.

 

one thing to remember- and really remember, because it comes up every year -

is that upsets happen in the final weeks. More than a few times has a team with "nothing to play for" comes up big against a team with playoffs on the line. I'm interested to see what the Bengals, coming off 2 strong performances, have to offer the Ravens.

 

Colts aren’t losing to the Jags at home with a playoff spot on the line. It has literally zero percent chance of happening so no the Browns can’t lose and make the playoffs realistically it’s not gonna happen.

 

If the Steelers beat the Browns and the Bills lose just one of their next two games against the Pats tonight or Miami next week, and the Ravens beat the Bengals the Steelers are guaranteed not to see the Ravens the 1st game. The Ravens would be either the 5 or 6 seed and most likely either the Colts,Dolphins or Browns would be the 7 seed. And that’s who the Steelers would get and I’ll take my chances with anyone of those 3 teams at Heinz Field in the first round, and would love the Steelers chances of winning against anyone of those 3 teams and making it to Divisional weekend the following week.

 

While we are on the subject of the playoffs and seeding I continue to think the Chiefs are looking more vulnerable each and every week. They have won their last 7 games by a combined total of 27 points. I just don’t think you can keep doing that consistently every single week and win every single time At some point I think it’s gonna catch up to the Chiefs if they keep pushing their luck against these better teams they are gonna see in the playoffs. I know Mahomes is good and he will be very tough to beat but assuming the Chiefs win this week against the Chargers and finish 15-1 they will need to win 14 games in a row if they want to win the Super Bowl and that is a tall tall order to do I don’t care how good you are. Teams that go into the playoffs on long winning streaks of 10 games or more it usually doesn’t end well for them.

So not saying the Chiefs will lose in the playoffs but it’s something to keep an eye on when it comes to them and I think they are very vulnerable. If they continue to play these close games every single week like they have done the last 7 games at some point I truly believe one is not gonna go there way and they will lose in the playoffs to somebody.

 

I couldn't find this stat. Which teams have entered the playoffs on such a win streak? I can only think of the Dolphins and Pats. The '84 49ers were close. 9 wins in a row.

 

Ravens last year won 12 in a row and lost to the Titans in the playoffs. The 04 Steelers won 16 in a row and lost to the Patriots in the playoffs . I know there are a few other examples over the last 15 years or so if I looked it up I can find it but those are the first two examples that come to mind. The bottom line is it’s just very hard to win that many games in a row I don’t care how good you are. The longer winning streak you have the better chance you have of losing at some point I feel in the playoffs.

 

That sh**hole in Buffalo is a hell of a party, I've had many a great time there.

 

I will assume you are correct. Which tells me a few things. First, I was right too, lol. Second, there is great value in being the 2nd seed. Impossible if Bills win out. But, they won their super bowl already. Belicheat, will have something for them tonight. They’ll want to rest players next week too. So, Dolphins’ chances are improved.

Say they lose tonight, does the 2nd seed and avoiding the Ravens mean enough to play Ben?

 

You can keep saying that, but it’s not factual.

 

I say yes to begin the game at least. I still think this offense has to get some more consistency playing together and you aren’t gonna do that by resting players. So I start the game with Ben and the starters and I am constantly scoreboard watching and seeing what is going on in Buffalo and kind of just go from there. But I’m with you though having the 2 seed over the 3 seed I think is very important and can make your road to getting to the Super Bowl much easier. I want the Bills here at home in that divisional round assuming the Steelers and Bills both win on wildcard weekend. I think that is very important to have and it will improve the Steelers chances of winning that game and making it to the AFC Championship game the following week. It’s a tough decision for Tomlin to make but being the 2 seed I feel is a big advantage over being the 3 seed.

 

Theoretically it’s not factual but realistically it basically is. You honestly believe the Jags who are 1-14 and have been blown out the last month or so badly and have looked terrible in every game they have played and have mailed it in for the year have a legit chance of beating the Colts in Indy with a playoff spot on the line? Like I said the only way the Browns get in if they lose to the Steelers is if the Colts lose to the Jaguars that’s it. There is no other scenario for the Browns with any other team if they lose to the Steelers that they will get in the playoffs.

 

Probably true

 

I doubt the Colts lose to the Jags, but after watching the Jets win against the Browns and Rams I'll stop short of making any guarantees.

 

Yeah, so gotta beat the Browns

 

Based on the last few weeks I would start Mason and bring Ben in for the second half...

 

That’s why beating the Browns is important because the Steelers will avoid the Ravens as the 2 seed if the Bills lose just one of these games to either the Patriots tonight or Miami next week, and the Ravens beat the Bengals next week. So I’ll still say getting that 2 seed is very important if it can be had. You can’t just not play for it at all if you have the chance and by resting all the starters for the Browns game that is essentially what you are doing because I highly doubt the Steelers backups are beating the Browns with a playoff spot on the line.

 

I guess it depends on how much the Jags want Trevor Lawrence. I would assume they would want him very much, if not at the very least to turn him into some huge draft collateral for future picks. I don't think the Jags play to win this game at all. They're not the Jets. They seem to know what's at stake.

 

I would like to see it just for something different and even if something works a bit activate Dobbs during the PO run and build a few plays around him. Anything to make an opposing D need to prepare different. Honestly if Ben goes down in a PO game what difference does MR or Dobbs make, I do not think either are going to do much, but at least Dobbs gives you some athleticism to sprint for the first down and keep a drive runnng.

 

There is like this big part of me that really wants to see Mason Rudolph take down the Browns and knock them out of the playoffs with back up players at key postions.

 

don't think we have enough healthy o-linemen to sit Pouncey and Decastro……………..the rest need to play the first half to stay sharp.... after that, they can ride the pine and let the JV team get some

 

That's a great idea, however I have no confidence in Randy F designing any new plays, I just don't think he could do it.

 

Well, Bills aren’t going to lose tonight to the Patriots. Hate the Patriots so I want to enjoy this.

If we must beat the Ravens 3 times in a season, so be it. Worked in 2008.

Rest up next week and take it to them.