MVN - Most Valuable Network

Browns Look to Clinch Playoff Berth With Help on Sunday

Back in 2002, the Browns only playoff appearance of the new era, the Browns didn’t clinch a berth until literally after they beat Atlanta at the stadium because they needed help from other teams. Well, this weekend the Browns still need some help, but this time is different because the Browns can lock up a playoff spot a few weeks early.

All the Browns need to do is take care of business Sunday at home against the Bills. If they do that along with losses by both Tennessee (at Kansas City) and Denver ( lost at Houston on Thursday) then the Browns are in the playoffs for the first time in five years and only the second time since the reincarnation since 1999.

Of course, this weekend’s game versus Buffalo is not going to be an easy task by any means. The Bills (7-6) enter the game just a game behind the Browns. Buffalo this year is that team that, thanks to a plethora of injuries, seemingly should be nowhere near playoff contention yet here they are in December one game away from jumping ahead of the Browns and into the driver’s seat.

One can very easily argue that Buffalo’s success is just as much a surprise as the Browns this year.  Starting quarterback Trent Edwards is a rookie who didn’t even win a game at Stanford last year, yet is 5-1 as a starter. They are also doing this with their leading rusher battling injuries over the past month and their top receiver playing the role as one of the more prominent fantasy football busts this year.

Yes Lee Evans, I am glaring in your direction…

Conventional wisdom seems to favor the Browns this Sunday. I just don’t see Buffalo defensively having any kind of chance to match up with either Kellen Winslow or Braylon Edwards. It’s hard enough for defenses to keep the Browns out of the end zone this year when either one of these guys is taken out of the game. Throw in the fact that quarterback Derek Anderson is a much better passer at home and this is a recipe for a big day for the Browns offense.

In fact, I’m going out on limb right now. Even if Tennessee wins tomorrow, it won’t matter because the Browns are going to win out the rest of the season to finish 11-5. This is a team that scores touchdowns not kick field goals when in the red zone.

Prediction: Browns 34 – Bills 20

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 13th, 2007 at 11:42 pm and is filed under Columns, Game Previews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.