Browns control their playoff destiny from here
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Four downs on Browns (8-5) v. Chicago Bears (5-8)
First down: Just win, baby.
Calculating the Browns’ playoff possibilities with four games to go is a waste of energy because the tie-breaker variables change with each week’s games. The surest path to the post-season is to keep winning and they’ll be in. If they sweep their final four games and finish 12-5, they can hope for Baltimore to lose two of its last four and also finish 12-5. In that case, the Browns would win the AFC North based on a better AFC record. Less than that, the Browns should aspire to keep hold of the AFC No. 5 seed. If so, they would play their wild-card game against the No. 4 seed on the road -- either in Jacksonville, Houston or Indianapolis. If they slip to No. 6, they’re looking at a date at Kansas City, Miami or Baltimore. So there’s a big difference in venues awaiting the fifth and sixth seeds. One note about today’s game: A loss to the Bears would not affect the Browns’ favorable 6-3 AFC record. But a loss could move them out of the No. 5 spot if Pittsburgh or Denver wins. And then we’d be left to revisiting the tie-breaker possibilities next week.
Second down: Flacco Fever intensifies.
Through two games, Joe Flacco has rescued the Browns’ QB position by passing for 565 yards and five touchdowns. (He has committed three turnovers -- two interceptions, one fumble). That earned him a significant raise – from about $65,000 a game on the practice squad to about $95,000 a game. Under his new contract, Flacco can earn additional bonuses with each win -- $75,000 for each regular-season game and lots more in the post-season, up to $4.05 million total through the Super Bowl. It’s money well spent by the Browns. Flacco has won over everybody with his cannon arm, calm demeanor, quick grasp of the Kevin Stefanski offense, and a blue-collar work ethic that meshes perfectly in the Browns’ locker room and with Cleveland fans.
Third down: Will the squeaky wheel get the grease?
Myles Garrett’s post-game tirade against referee Ronald Torbert’s officiating crew in the Jacksonville game was pointed and deserving -- and costly. He was fined $25,000 for saying, among other things, “The officiating was a travesty today. It was honestly awful.” Garrett was doubled-teamed all day but when Jacksonville gambled on some one-on-one situations, left tackle Blake Hance absolutely mauled Garrett without drawing a flag. Initial reaction to Garrett’s outburst was that it could backfire and cause officials to look the other way when Garrett is held by offensive linemen. But it just may draw awareness to an obvious blind spot in an overall horrendous season by NFL officials “It is what is,” Garrett said on Friday. “Right now I’m not getting any calls, so it can’t get much worse than that. I’m not trying to offend anybody. I just want them to do their job to the best of their ability. Same here.”
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah figures to be chasing Justin Fields much of the day. (Cleveland Browns)
Fourth down: Strawberry Fields Forever.
The last time Justin Fields played in Cleveland Browns Stadium, he was sacked nine times in all, 4.5 by Garrett, and was credited with 1 net yard passing. It was an NFL debut that aroused sympathy for him and condemnation for then-Bears coach Matt Nagy. Two years later, the Bears have a different coach and five new starters on their offensive line. Fields’ game has evolved, but not to the point where the Bears are satisfied that he is their franchise quarterback going forward. Because the Bears own Carolina’s No. 1 draft pick – in all probability the top overall pick in the 2024 draft – they are likely to use it on USC QB Caleb Williams and get what they can in a trade for Fields. Fields has tremendous physical tools and is mostly hurting defenses with his legs. That is kryptonite to Jim Schwartz’s defense. The key player against Fields will be linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. “I think everything is by personnel,” he said of Schwartz’ possible scheme to defend Fields. “So, I mean, of course, it’s slightly a bit different when we’re playing a dual-threat quarterback like that. You have to be more patient with your fits and making sure that you’re in the right places because if the mistakes do happen, they can really hurt you with their feet.”
The pick: Browns 24, Bears 17.
My record: 8-5.
