Can the Cleveland Browns still make a run at a playoff spot with an easy upcoming schedule?

Can the Cleveland Browns still make a run at a playoff spot with an easy upcoming schedule?

Into our next topic. It’s brought to us by Mazda. For those of you who believe it’s not just about playing the game, it’s about redefining it because these moments do more than win. They push what’s possible, reminding us to go that extra yard, shift into that extra gear and keep the game moving forward. When you follow what moves you, the unexpected is Only the beginning and just like there’s more to every highlight. There’s more to every Mazda Mazda, move be moved. Before we move forward to what the Browns might do this week and like can they get on the roll after this win, you guys were both not here yesterday, so Dustin, let’s start with you. Um, what’s your biggest takeaway from the Browns win? Because obviously, It was an unusual game like to have two, like basically 200 yards and win by blowout is not common, but that’s what happened. What’s what’s your takeaway from that game? I mean, I, I expected them to win the game. They were favored going into it. I just, the Browns’ defense is so good and they’re so anemic on offense, especially now without Tyreek Hill, that I just figured that they would have an opportunity. Uh, to just kind of take advantage of a team that’s down and out and, and they kicked them while they were down and they got it done, you know, it wasn’t the sexiest performance. It was a terrible weather game. It wasn’t that cold, but it was, it was just really windy and rainy and it was hard to grip the ball and catch the ball and all those things that go into it, but my number one takeaway was the, the fact that we all were saying. They need to run Quinshan Jenkins a zillion times, and they ran Quinon Jenkins a zillion times, and he was great, uh, in this game, and that’s what they gotta continue to do if they want to try to win some games this year. Um, no, it was, we know our defense is really good. We know Miles Garrett’s really good. We, we know that Judkins is real, I mean, the, the, the pieces with the Browns that we expected to play well did. And and they beat a bad team so that’s that’s going to happen. You’re at home, you’re playing a bad team that’s in serious disarray. You’ve got a great defense. There’s nothing great about the Dolphins, nothing. There’s not one thing on their team that’s great. The Browns have a great defense and they probably have a top 5 back in the league, so. They got. They have a really good back too. Yeah, OK, fair enough. — But they don’t have a great
— defense or offense. Yeah. Go ahead. — What’s your
— takeaway from the game? Um like Dustin said, I thought that they did a really good job of playing and doing exactly the things that they needed to do after everybody cussed them out for a whole week about not running the ball. It was smart to get out there and. Especially in the conditions to run the ball, um, I thought that Quinshine played a heck of a game. I know I don’t even think he got 100 yards, but the one, it was nice to see him rip off a long run and then not be a penalty because I feel like that’s happened like 2 times to him this season. So it was nice to see him get going there and I just was watching. Just the way that The passion that he plays with like Quinine like it it’s so funny to me because you can tell and I don’t, I don’t wanna be, I don’t wanna sound like disrespectful when I say this and it’s gonna come off as very disrespectful, but I don’t mean any disrespect. I just need to prove the point. It’s a difference how you could tell that somebody that’s used to winning amongst people that’s used to losing because he when he when he plays and he makes a play like the passion that he exhorts and he’s like I’m used to doing this like I like I enjoy doing this to where other guys is like. Yeah, if we win we win if we lose we lose so it’s nice to have a guy who is not even afraid to say like I, I’m here to win. Like I ain’t, I’m not with that losing thing. I think he said that like after winning his starts it’s like I don’t care. I, I, I’m used to winning coming from Ohio State. Um, the defensive side of the ball, I thought that they played really well. Um, it was a couple of times that A Chain broke a couple of runs, but you know that, that’s gonna happen in some games, especially when you go up against the back like a Chain, um, but that to get them takeaways to get 4 takeaways, 3 picks, 1 pick 61 of them should have another one should have been a pick 6. Rashaw Jenkins, I ain’t forgot about you. No way you get a pick inside the 10 yard line and no score. — I just never heard of it
— like touchdown for fantasy, so I’m happy he didn’t get in. That’s sad. That’s that, but it was nice to see those guys make those plays. Miles got back on the sack numbers. It’s been like 2 or 3 games that he didn’t get a sack, and you could tell like that offense that defense was motivated seeing that offense score. Like you could tell that those guys was like they went down, they scored. So the offense, the defense was like, OK, so let’s go get a stop. So they go get a stop, boom, they get the ball back and then they put some points up on the board and it’s just like, oh. That’s what we’re doing today. Those guys just play with an extra pep in their step, and it was good because before the game Grant Dale Pitt was talking about how he don’t even know when it feels like anymore because it’s been so long, and that’s, that was so scary to hear when I was doing the pregame and I heard him say that, like that’s a scary feeling to me that put this game at a crossroad because if they lost this game to Miami, it’s over. They, it ain’t no coming back from. That the entire locker room is probably checked out. They booking flights to Cancun or wherever the heck they go, but to see them win and to hear them talk after the game about how important that win was for the season and to hear them happy again like it’s like alright we’re glad to be back in the building we wanna, we see what when it feels like let’s continue to get this feeling going so it was an inspired when I know it was ugly on offense and people got their things about the offense, but. That defense we always said that that defense was good enough to keep them in a game or win a game and that’s kind of what happened. Want to talk about one guy specifically on defense before he move this forward, uh, as you guys both be corners, DBs, uh, Tyson Campbell in his second game as a Browns player, he had the The pick 6, and I thought he played a tremendous game. — I’ll
— give you stats real quick. What’s that? Can I give you Campbell stats? Yeah, go ahead 30 coverage snaps, 0 receptions allowed, 1 pass breakup, one pick 6, a perfect game from a cornerback. Anomaly against a bad team, or do you think we have something here with Tyson Campbell? No, I said from the first game. I know everybody was, was down on him after the first. Game that you play, but I told you when I watched him because I specifically watched him because I’m like, oh they’re gonna go at him so I need to see what he’s doing. I like his press technique. I like the fact that he’s on top of the route a lot of the times. DK is just a physical specimen. Like I don’t know why people forget the fact that DK is like 6’4, 230 and stuff like that and very strong. So yeah, and he’s like runs like a 43, so like he’s a physical. and then Tyson for the for for half that game he held his own he did really well but then the other half obviously he got beat for the touchdown and that’s that’s what stuck in our minds as as fans we see like, oh this dude got beat for a touchdown. He’s terrible he’s trash, but if you go back and watch, he actually played them really well, so I was happy with his technique and I thought that he did a really good job of showing that again. This past weekend, now obviously weather does play a part of that as well because it was raining it was windy, so it wasn’t a lot you could do, but he has some very good tight coverage and he was there for the tips and the overthrows gotta get those and he made them pay. No, he’s a nice player. I mean, I, I thought he did a nice job in this game, um, obviously the Pittsburgh game you get beat for a touchdown. People remember those moments, um, they don’t remember the 90 snaps you played where you didn’t do anything wrong. Um, no, it’s, it’s to me it’s, it’s a nice addition to the team and the secondary, I thought the secondary played really well in this game. Now it helped that our our pass rush was killing them and and Tua couldn’t have any time to throw and the weather was bad and all that stuff, but I mean overall that’s a nice addition. I’m happy to have him. You know, if the, now listen, I don’t think any of us think, uh, you still think the Browns are going 89? Yes, you do. I’m not getting off that until they are until they lose 10 games, they’re going in. So if the Browns are going to have even a decent season, certainly 89 would be pretty good. It’d be great. They have a chance to get on a roll here. Um, obviously this weekend’s tough. — You believe they’re gonna
— win 8 games in my whole heart. I believe they’re gonna bet on it. No, I can’t. I’m an NFL employee. Well, that’s a great out for you. Yeah, yeah, yeah, but um. Guys, as unlikely as it is, it’s possible to get on a roll here if they could somehow upset New England. You got to buy and then you got the Jets. If they win this Patriots game, — they’re
— not beating the Patriots. OK, OK, — I’ll
— go if they beat the Patriots. I know it’s a big if. Talk about it, b. They would play the Jets after that with a buy in between. You’d be a 500 team in theory because the Jets, not that they couldn’t lose to the Jets, but the Jets, the Browns are going to be favored in that Jet game. Maybe not. The game’s at the Jets, but they’ll still be. I would get beat the Patriots, they would be coming off of a buy, they should be right now. I don’t think they’re gonna beat the Patriots either. Obviously the Patriots are a touchdown favorite at home. They’re playing well. Drake Mays playing — really
— well like, um, yeah, in fact, he’s 4th in the for whatever that’s worth. Yeah, I think it’s Patrick Baker. Baker dropped after his 3rd. I don’t know what he was going into Josh Allen. Cowboys offense is explosive. — It’s like he’s he’s having the season
— that Joe Burrow just. Yeah. Stafford’s having a good season. No, I’m talking about. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, anyway, but um. You know, but yeah, I mean Drake May is 4th, the odds of MVP, which is pretty impressive for a guy who was OK as a rookie, but he wasn’t like outstanding. He’s really taken his game up a notch here in year two. and so do you have any hope of them getting on a roll here by beating New England? Yeah, I think it’s, I think it’s optimist, well, I’m an optimistic person. I think that winning that game. — Give
— a lot, right, like I think guys are still motivated because you still look around the conference. You’re 1 game behind Cini, 2 games behind Pittsburgh. Like the division is still there, you know. I think that you still got 3 games, so you’re gonna play each opponent. Listen, I know, I know it sounds crazy. It sounds crazy. Browns, the Browns offense has not given you any reason. Believe that they could do it. I’m just telling you it’s, it’s still there. If I, if I’m on the Cleveland Browns, that’s what I’m telling myself. It’s like they, they 2 wins above us right now. Like I, the division can be had. Well, I, I, I, I appreciate the optimism from Tyvis, uh, but I don’t live in La La Land. I live in reality where this team is they’re gonna push that 4.5 win total like that’s gonna be close. They may, they may win 5 games, which that, that to me would be. Exceeding my expectations going into the year, so they’re at that point they have no chance to win this division. I wouldn’t think so. I mean just because they had this game on Sunday, do you forget all the things that have happened? No, and Miami’s another terrible team, and you took care of business against a terrible team. And, and maybe the Browns are the kings of the terrible team. Maybe they, — I
— mean, you said it, Adam. They scored 31 points. They blew out the Dolphins, yet they still didn’t do anything on offense. No, certainly nothing in the passing game. Now they, they didn’t throw the ball that much, but they did the week before and they didn’t do anything in the passing game. So my point is, OK. Drake May this weekend is playing like you guys said an MVP. OK, how are we gonna score more than 17 points this week? I think it’s gonna be very hard, very challenging. Where are the Patriots defensively, by the way, I’m not, — I don’t have a good feel
— for that. Uh, we can pull it up, Steve. Give me 16. I wanna say they’re, they’re very good, very good. Uh-huh. Very average against the pass and overall, they’ve been pretty good. Now, they played a lighter schedule, so you take that into consideration. But 2nd in the league against the run, 5th in terms of opponent points per game against. They have forced 9 takeaways. It’s tied for 6 in football, so. And it’s 7. 7.5 dogs right now. I see. I saw 6.5, so it’s it’s a lot for it to go to 5 6.5 to 7 that’s that’s not a it doesn’t. I don’t see the blown out in the. It’s hard to win the NFL and especially it’s hard to win on the road. We know that it’s gonna be a really challenging game. The Browns would have to come up with a with a miraculous game plan and they would literally have to execute everything, all those little things where some teams like the Chiefs can get away with with these little errors like the Browns have no room for error. They have to play a perfect game to be good teams. They would have to the the tight end room would have to have a big game. I’m because Judy is not gonna have a big game. I’m gonna tell you that whoever whoever our number one receiver is is not gonna have a big game. And that’s because Christian Gonzalez is a dog. If he’s playing, he’s locking up whoever he’s playing. I’m gonna tell you that now. So who it’s gonna have to happen from the tight end room and the opposite side of Christian Gonzales. Will you say his name again? Krishna Gonzale? Sounded very weird the first. Yeah, I, I mean, the Browns are not gonna, you know, I, I, I, I do love your optimism as well and I hope that you’re right because it, you know, the Browns I’m just terrible is boring and not good for business, but I just can’t see them being consistently competitive with the good teams on their schedule and the idea of them being in a playoff hunt. Is not realistic. They’re, they’re 2.5 games behind Pittsburgh at the moment, which is not a crazy gap, but really it’s more than that because they lost to them, so they wouldn’t have the tiebreaker right now. And you know Pittsburgh’s not that good and the division is kind of weak, not kind of weak division’s weak. This is the worst AFC North in forever. That being said, the Browns are still, in my opinion, the worst team even though Baltimore. I like Lamar is gonna come back at some point. I think he’s coming back this week. Yeah, and he didn’t practice. Well, whatever, whenever he does come back they’re gonna go they’ll go on a run. — They’ll go
— you know they got issues they’re they got a lot of issues. — I don’t know that they’re making the playoffs this year at 1
— and 5. I don’t think they’re making the playoffs. I think they’re gonna probably end up with, you know, they’re 1 and 5 now. Yeah, I think they’re gonna get 8 or 9 wins. If I had to bet right now, I’d still bet the Browns finished in last place finish in last place, yes, of course, — what are you betting
— right now? Browns 8989. And the Bengals are, you know, if they can do what they’d the Bengals, but if if they can just sort of hold their own. Until Burrow comes back, uh, December like they’re only gonna bring it back if they if they can somehow be around 500. Yeah, well, they’re playing the Jets this week, so they have a good chance to win this week. What’s the record now? — Are they 3 and 4
— I think they’re the Bengals have a better chance to win the — division and get a wild card because
— all Flacco needs to do is have a good month, right? Have a good month now, — which he did
— in Cleveland. Last, well, 2 years ago, yeah, yeah, not this year, but, — but I’m
— talking about when they made the playoffs, they had a good. They’re playing. They got 2 home games in a row, 3 home games in a row starting with the Pittsburgh game which they won. — It is so
— silly that he, he was traded to the Bengals. — So you’ve got a beef with
— it. I don’t have a beef with it. It’s just, it’s just dumb, you know what, you know what I thought? I said I was talking to somebody down in down in Columbus yesterday and I was saying the Browns problem, the reason why the Browns are in the situation that they’re in. It’s because they. Uh, they try to do right by people too much in a cutthroat league, they try to do the right thing like, like the Deshaun Watson guarantee thing that’s like them just trying to do the right thing like them. Uh, guaranteeing Amari Cooper’s contract knowing that he wasn’t good anymore, that’s like the right thing and then them trading Joe Flacco, like that’s like them, they came to Joe and asked him, Do you want this trade? and he said, yeah, even though it’s their division opponent, they just wanted to do right by Joe even though it’s gonna cost them so it’s like. It’s, it’s sad because like they’re they’re they seem like genuinely good people, but like in this league you gotta be cutthroat like so I think that’s it’s like their own fault, so before we move on, Tys said he could talk. Browns on a bit of a shot in print shirt. They might get 5 wins. Now listen, you go and beat New England. — Maybe we’re singing
— a different tune if they can score more than 20 points. And they beat the Patriots. Yeah, — they’ll all have a conversation
— at play the Jets, but I, guys, I can’t just look at a team that’s, uh, what are the Browns now, 2 and 2 and 25. I can’t look at a 2 and 5 football team that has barely scored over 17 points on offense this year in most games. — And think that they have a chance to do anything
— right? — it’s when your offense
— is in the same you know what we said the same thing about your Cleveland Guardians and they made the postseason. There you go. — There’s the motivation you need right there
— compared the two sports. — What was different was they run differential -45 or something like that
— the Brown. Yeah, fortunately for the Cleveland Guardians in Major League Baseball, you don’t have to have a quarterback to win games. — There’s
— no one most important position. — I just negative
— Nancy. It’s not negative, dude, and you’re making it sound like we’re negative because you’re sitting over here drinking some Kool-Aid on, on, on the, uh, the Browns making the playoffs. No, at least he’s not going that far. — They’re not making the playoffs he
— just said they could win the division. What are you talking about? Dustin, this is the same with the Indiana basketball players this — weekend that Giannis is the greatest player to ever
— live. That’s a fact. Well, first off, at least I can understand where he’s coming from in that situation because he’s probably talking about he’s the freakiest, most. — Unbelievable basketball player we’ve
— ever seen. He dominated any era of basketball. — I don’t disagree
— with you. I think that it’s hyperbole, but you’re, you’re right. — You’re out of your mind if you think Giannis is the best basketball
— player. He’s not the best basketball player of all time. — He may
— be dominated in whatever. I don’t want to get into this. The Browns are not the Browns are not. A legitimate playoff contender. We all understand that Ty understands that. He said they could win the division. He doesn’t really believe. — You make the playoffs if you win
— the division. I mean, anybody can win the division. Yes, — in the
— losses back. Well, the Browns win their division. — No they win
— another division? No, they’re not winning the division, but they are 2 games back. — You really think
— they’re gonna win. Come on, seriously.

Grant Delpit said leading up to Cleveland’s game against Miami that he forgot what it was like to be a part of a win.

The Browns safety and his teammates rediscovered that winning feeling on Sunday.

Behind a complete effort from all three phases, the Browns rolled to a 31-6 victory over the Dolphins to snap a three-game losing streak.

“I remember now. Feels good,” said Delpit in the locker room after the game. “I think it was a huge win, honestly. Just to get one and now to multiply those, we can’t keep pinballing around in the season, going up and down.”

Quinshon Judkins scored three touchdowns as the Browns (2-5) got over the 17-point hump for the first time in 12 games. The defense held an opponent with a touchdown for the first time in nearly two years and special teams forced a key turnover in the second quarter.

“We always talk about complementary football, but seeing us all come together is important and good to see,” said quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who completed 13 of 18 for 116 yards to get his first NFL win in his first start in front of Cleveland’s fans. | https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401772754

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Epicor
From small businesses with big dreams to growing enterprises with global vision, we’ll equip you with the right tools to move forward, think ahead, and lead the way. Discover your success at www.easierwithepicor.com.
Living For We
New episodes drop every other Tuesday, starting February 11th. Listen to Living For We wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video version on Ideastream’s YouTube channel. Learn more at ideastream.com/podcast/living-for-we.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4k
Did you know your Fire TV is also an Xbox? Turn any TV into your gaming and entertainment hub with Fire TV Stick 4K devices — no console required. Head to Amazon.com/firetvlockedon to get started. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription and compatible controller required.
Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year.
Buckeye State Credit Union is a LOCAL brand that offers a wide range of products from checking accounts to home equity lines of credit & auto loans. Head to Buckeyecu.org for more information.
Menu RX: “Whether you’re chasing peak performance, building your dream body, or seeking optimal longevity, Menu-Rx will help you reach your goals. Go to Menu-RX dot com to get your consultation today.”
Buckeye State Credit Union
Experience the difference with Buckeye State Credit Union. We make banking effortless and convenient for you. Visit us online at buckeyecu.org and discover how Buckeye State Credit Union simplifies your financial journey. Buckeye State Credit Union – Your Money, Simplified.

Subscribe and ring the bell for the latest talk about the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland Cavaliers and Ohio State Buckeyes: https://bit.ly/ucss_subscribe

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ultclesports

Watch live on YouTube 11 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays on YouTube and WKYC+ on your Roku and Fire TV apps!

The Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show is your daily source of the best conversation about the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland Cavaliers and Ohio State Buckeyes, as well as sports throughout Northeast Ohio. Produced by Mike Lucas, Anthony Antonelli, and Earl Mauldin. Hosted by Jay Crawford, Adam the Bull, G Bush, Jason Lloyd, and Tyvis Powell.