Browns v Steelers Game 5 Preview

What: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns

When: Sunday 1 pm

Vegas: Browns (-1) OVER/UNDER: 47

This picture brings a tear to my eye

 

The Ebola filled Pittsburgh Steelers come into Sundays game riding high after a win against the mighty Jaguars 17-9. Big Ben threw for 273 yards and a TD, LeVeon Bell rushed for 82 yards, and Antonio Brown had 5 catches for 84 yards.

Last week the Browns completed the biggest road comeback win in the history of the NFL, beating the Titans 29-28. Brian Hoyer completed 21/37 passes for 291 yards, Ben Tate rushed for a career high 124 yards, and the receivers were led by Taylor Gabriel (95 yds) and Travis Benjamin (2 TDs).

Required viewing for this week

 

WHAT TO WATCH FOR 

Which Browns team are we?

Are the Browns the first half team we saw in Pittsburgh get outscored 24-3? Or are they the second half team that outscored the Steelers 21-3 in the second half? My guess is they’re somewhere in the middle. The Browns CANNOT come out flat and get behind early in front of their home crowd.

 

Joe Haden(?) vs. Antonio Brown

So you’re telling me our cornerback who struggles guarding Pittsburgh’s premier wideout when said cornerback is healthy now has an injured hip?? Fuck. That’s not good for the city of Cleveland. Hips are pretty important when you’re a defensive back so I’ve heard. If Haden plays I’d like to see A LOT of Tashaun Gipson help on Antonio Brown’s side. I’m not afraid of their other pass catchers. Markus Wheaton is a bum and Heath Miller is a hillbilly. Stop Antonio Brown and you have a very good chance to come out with a W. If Haden doesn’t play, you might have a couple instances where you want to punch out your TV.

 

Has Spencer Lanning learned how to combat flying leg kicks?

This was last time:

Hopefully this is what he does tomorrow when Antonio Brown flies at him:

CONTINUE READING AT CLEVELAND SPORTS CENTRAL

The greatest player in US Soccer history will play his final game tonight

I know the cool, macho American thing to do is to hate on soccer but bear with me for a second. Landon Donovan has been the face of US Soccer for nearly 20 years. He’s second all-time in caps (appearances) with 156. He’s the all-time leader in goals (57) and assists (58). He was named US Soccer Athlete of the Year four times, played in three FIFA World Cups and helped the USA reach as high as 10th in the FIFA World Rankings in 2003. Oh yeah he also scored probably the most memorable goal in USA history:

If those USA chants don’t give you chills, get right up on out of here.

Donovan has his fair share of records domestically as well. He’s the MLS all-time leader in goals (143), assists (136), playoff goals, playoff assists and is 6th in minutes played. Other than that, pretty ho-hum career for #10.

donovan1

 

Despite being inexplicably left off the 2014 World Cup roster by Jurgen Klinsmann, Donovan has continued to be about as classy of an ambassador for his sport as you could ask for. He took the snub in stride, even had a sense of humor about it. (Which is bananas to me. He’s denied his last chance to play in a WC and he’s able to make a pretty damn funny commercial about it? He’s a bigger man than me, that’s for damn sure)

Honestly though. I understand Klinsmann wanted a “changing of the guard” of sorts, but that last match against Belgium, deadlocked 0-0, who do you want coming off the bench? An MLS journeyman with 32 national caps (Wondolowski), a 19 year old (Green) or the greatest player in United States history? I know Green ended up scoring but c’mon son. Give me the captain.

I know I’ll be watching the match tonight at 7 on ESPN and I also know most of you won’t, and that’s cool. But give the guy some props for an outstanding career wearing the red white and blue.

#RE10PECT

Bottlegate Exclusive: Watch Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love freestyle rap in Brazil

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Wait a second. Did Bottlegate just get an exclusive? A reader sent in some video of Kyrie and K-Love rapping, we put a track over it, and VOILA- Billboard #1 single.

Love it. Uncle Drew and Wes together spitting hot fire in the back of a cab in Brazil. Get LeBron in there and you have the most talented 3 man vocal group in the eastern hemisphere.

20 days till the season opener.