I wish there was something good to say about yesterday’s game, I really do. The Browns didn’t run, didn’t tackle, didn’t block, didn’t defend the run, didn’t defend the pass, didn’t coach well, passed the ball OK, and stunk on special teams. All of that combined equals a 27-20 loss to the Raiders… and it wasn’t really that close.

People (me) actually thought the Browns would start off the season with a 3-0 or 2-1 record because of the easy schedule. Ha!

Yesterday was the Raiders first road win since November of 2013; Their first win in Cleveland since 1985; And their first win in the Eastern time zone since 2009.

Bottom line is this team isn’t very good and isn’t very fun to watch. Not during one minute yesterday did I enjoy myself watching that game. Even after 3 hours in the Muni Lot I couldn’t force myself to get pumped for the game. No playmakers on either side of the ball will do that to you. Yesterday’s loss was expected.

But that’s kind of what happens when Josh McCown is your quarterback. And that’s not even a knock on Josh, I thought he actually played pretty well (in the second half) and threw some nice passes. He is what he is.  It’s just… we know what we’re going to get with Josh and that’s why that last interception was so expected. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t even mad/sad/or dejected after that. It was mostly just a “Alright whatever” kind of reaction. 3 games in and I’m already apathetic! Pretty good sign.

Let’s look at the game tape

OUCH tailgated before the game

Joe Haden wandered around the concourse during the game

Fantastic Special Teams play all day

Brian Hartline made a pretty nice catch with his legs

Would like to see Gary Barnidge get involved more because he truly may be our biggest offensive threat

https://twitter.com/UofLFanBASE/status/648231551138963456

And the crowd was going wild!!

And then Charles Woodson picked off McCown and the Browns lost.

But it wasn’t all bad, at least the game gave us this

Couple quick thoughts:

• So about that whole thing where we’re able to run the ball and be able to defend against the run. LOL.
• So about that whole thing where our secondary and offensive line are the strengths of the team. LOL.
• I watched the first half of the game at Dive Bar. It was a great surprise to walk in and see the bar had doubled in size. Great spot to watch a game.
• Duke Johnson had THREE yards rushing.
• Hey Josh please stop underthrowing Travis Benjamin
• A quick reminder: The Browns have the highest paid defense in the league

Pretty excited to travel to San Diego to watch this team.

4-3. I don’t care how you get there. I don’t care who you beat. I don’t care what the score was, you’re 4-3 and right in the thick of things in a very competitive AFC North. If you would have asked me back in August if I would be happy with a 4-3 record after 7 games, I would have said “Yes” so fast it would have made your freaking head spin. When was the last time the Browns were over .500 this far into the season? 2007? (That’s just a guess. I’m not looking it up. If someone wants to, be my guest). After 15 years of shitty football, it’s nice to have an actual, competent football team to cheer for. Can you imagine if the Browns would have blown this? With the most anticipated sporting season in Cleveland history starting Thursday, the Browns would have been an afterthought. Losing 2 games in a row to 2 winless opponents is no way to keep a fanbase satisfied. Am I happy with how the offense looked? No. Am I happy with how Brian Hoyer looked? Not happy but content. Do we need to be better on third down? Oh yes. Has the defense strung together three straight games where they’ve looked good as fuck? Absolutely. Now enough of me answering my own questions. Let’s look at the damn game tape.

The day started with the sexiest t-shirt known to man being released upon the helpless victims of the Muni Lot

TBDBITL kicked things off pregame

http://instagram.com/p/uoLu6HEfuq/?modal=true

God damn he looks majestic

The first half was gross. Here it is summed up in six seconds

This guy liked it though

Jordan Cameron got concussed. How dare they hurt a man so good looking

And The King showed up (In Browns gear!)

The second half was much better. Paul Kruger had a MAN’S GAME and finished with 3 sacks.

I’m fine with ending the Travis Benjamin experiment. Put him at receiver full time… Dare I say bring back Josh Cribbs? He couldn’t do a worse job.

Whitner and Dansby forced a fumble, Haden returned it 40 yards. Hello turning point

Which set up Hoyer + Hawkins = 6

The rookies played well on defense. Gilbert made a couple of nice plays and Kirksey was all over the place knocking dudes around like this

Kinda don’t understand why we’re not seeing more of this fella

Mingo sighting! Mingo sighting!

And that led to Ben Tate putting the game away

A couple quick thoughts:

• Any time the running game would like to come back, that’d be great.
• Hopefully Billy Winn is back next week to combat the John Hughes injury (if his injury is bad)
• Why are people bitching about the quarterback? 19-28 275 yards and a TD. Shut up. He played well.
• Need to be better on third down if we want to beat the Buccaneers.
• Mack, Cameron, Gordon. All Pro Bowlers, all didn’t contribute yesterday.
• Like I said before, “Memo to the AFC, do NOT let this team be 6-4 of 7-3 by the time #12 comes back.”
• Don’t look now but that’s three straight superb performances by the defense. Looks like Happy learned to putt.

#OnToTampaBay

PS- Hey guys…. 4 days.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PocwgXHuDpM