Dawgs By Nature: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: SB Nation interviews Jerome Bettis

Games to Watch on the Browns Bye Week

With the Cleveland Browns on a bye this week, it'll be one of the few weeks of the season where we can't ridicule our team. Instead, we can sit back and watch some other games, assuming you don't mind being a casual football fan at times. Here are a few games to note this week, including matches from the AFC North:

MORNING / AFTERNOON GAMES SEEN IN CLEVELAND

BALTIMORE RAVENS VS. CINCINNATI BENGALS (CBS - 1:00 PM)

These two teams met earlier in the season in a very competitive game; one that legitimized the Bengals as a contender this season. A little under a month ago, Carson Palmer hit Andre Caldwell for a touchdown with 22 seconds remaining, giving the Bengals a 17-14 win. The real reason the Bengals won the game? RB Cedric Benson did the unthinkable -- he ran for over 100 yards against the Ravens defense. That snapped an amazing 40-game streak in which the Ravens had not allowed a 100+ yard rusher. Compare that to the Browns, who could probably make a run at giving up a 100+ yard rusher for 40 consecutive games.

Right now, the Bengals are leading the division with a 5-2 record. However, their competition is not too far behind. The Steelers are also 5-2, while the Ravens are 4-3. Cincinnati has a division win over all three AFC North opponents, but one loss to Baltimore could swing the momentum the other way. We don't like to cheer for divisional opponents, but I'll usually be more include to root for the Bengals against the Steelers or Ravens.

ARIZONA CARDINALS VS. CHICAGO BEARS (FOX - 1:00 PM)

Remember what happened the last time these two teams met? It was back in the year 2006.

After leading 23-3 in the fourth quarter and making QB Rex Grossman look pathetic all game, the Bears rallied thanks to defensive touchdowns and a return from Devin Hester in one of the most shocking comebacks in recent memory.

This time around, it's different players though. The Bears are quarterbacked by the overrated Jay Cutler, while the Cardinals are led by veteran Kurt Warner. The defending NFC Champions are coming off of an upsetting loss to the Carolina Panthers, while the Bears are coming off of a poorly-played victory blowout against the Browns.

Warner almost always bounces back from a terrible game with one in which he'll tear a defense apart. This week, I think the Bears' defense gets torched like they did two weeks ago against Carson Palmer.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS VS. NEW YORK GIANTS (CBS - 4:15 PM)

This is the first time these two teams will face off since the Eli Manning / Philip Rivers situation in 2004. That's when Manning did not want to play for the Chargers, so he was dealt to the Giants, which paved the way for Rivers going to San Diego.

After beating up on some easier opponents early on in the season, the Giants have lost three in a row to fall to 5-3 and third in their division behind the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Meanwhile, the Chargers have to smell opportunity. They gained ground on the first-place Denver Broncos last week and are in the hunt for a wildcard spot. When you're in the same division as the Kansas City Chiefs and the Oakland Raiders, you could almost make a case that you're receiving a four-game handicap. With that said, the Chargers have not really "clicked" the past few years, as they've failed to move themselves from the "potential" category to the "elite category." The Giants need better production in too many areas. Ultimately, more production should be coming from Manning.

OTHER GAMES OF INTEREST

HOUSTON TEXANS VS. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: The Colts are the only unbeaten team remaining in the AFC, but they are running into the red-hot Houston Texans. After starting the season 2-3, the Texans have ripped off three straight wins. Quietly, QB Matt Schaub is having a breakout season, really proving why the Texans gave up what they did to get him from the Atlanta Falcons several years back.

MIAMI DOLPHINS VS. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: The Wildcat formation has beaten the Patriots before, could it happen again? The Dolphins have started to flow better since Chad Pennington's injury, and I think it's the stronger commitment to the Wildcat.

DALLAS COWBOYS VS. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: The NFC East match-ups will always get prime time billing, but for good reason -- they are usually fairly competitive match-ups. Right now, the Eagles and the Cowboys are the two teams rolling in the East. The Cowboys have improved thanks to the emergence of WR Miles Austin. For the Eagles, will Michael Vick continue taking a limited role in the offense, or will it expand at some point this season? Sunday Night Football.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS VS. DENVER BRONCOS: I feel like I'm still not giving the Broncos any respect. After losing for the first time last week to the Baltimore Ravens, it won't get any easier against the Steelers' defense. The Steelers have won four straight and will be looking to capitalize on whichever team loses the Bengals/Ravens match. Monday Night Football.

 

0 recs  |  Comment 12 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

I never get tired of watching Dennis Green flip out. I honestly, just watched it a few hours ago. Hilarious.

by Simmsinns on Nov 7, 2009 3:09 PM EST reply actions  

Good stuff. Only second to ‘PlayOFFS!?’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwq7BYOnDrM

http://www.nba.com/media/cavaliers/come_on_cavs.mp3

by johnnyphoenix on Nov 7, 2009 3:37 PM EST up reply actions  

Actually, looking at Mora again I WISH we had a coach like that…

http://www.nba.com/media/cavaliers/come_on_cavs.mp3

by johnnyphoenix on Nov 7, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions  

I’m watching this OSU game right now.

It’s like Daboll is calling the plays.

by SpecialBrownie on Nov 7, 2009 4:39 PM EST reply actions  

Haha, I know right?

*We called a timeout.

by Simmsinns on Nov 7, 2009 5:19 PM EST up reply actions  

The best part of the game thus far? “Mucho Butt.”

by golanbatrac on Nov 7, 2009 5:22 PM EST up reply actions  

What about: “Stanky – Wich” ?

by Simmsinns on Nov 7, 2009 5:51 PM EST up reply actions  

“He doesn’t even like candles!”

“WHAT’S WRONG WITH HIM?”

by SpecialBrownie on Nov 7, 2009 6:03 PM EST up reply actions  

We are primed for Kansas City vs. Jacksonville and Detroit vs. Seattle, because we desire Ernie Sims and Demorrio Williams. Both are locked in positional battles. Ernie Sims is sharing time with DeAndre Levy, and Demorrio Williams is disputed in starting in place of Derrick Johnson. Both would be immediate starters at outside linebacker in our 3-4.

by mooncamping on Nov 8, 2009 9:38 AM EST reply actions  

Great call on Kurt Warner Chris.

by SpecialBrownie on Nov 8, 2009 4:02 PM EST reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Non-stop coverage of the team with the best fans in the NFL, the Cleveland Browns.

Community Guidelines
Send us a Scoop

Start posting about the Browns »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Dbn_small
DBN Community Announcement

Recent FanPosts

Small
Blount to replace Hardesty?
Small
Harrison's handcuff
Logo_ksu1_small
How About A Hardesty Vent Thread?
Dave_small
OT: 2010 SB Nation Madden 11 Online Season for Xbox 360
Small
Soccer-style Kickoffs are Offsides
Alex-mack_small
Predictions. Let's hear them.
Biggamebob_small
¿So What Do We Think We Know About 2010 Browns?
Grimm_small
Thoughts on Week 1 vs. TB
Clay1_small
"Eagle" Defense (2-5-4)

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Browns Links

Local Media Sources
Official Browns Site
Orange and Brown Report
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Akron Beacon Journal

Browns Communities/Blogs
The Watercooler
Waiting for Next Year
Dawg Scooper
Dawg Talkers
Dawg Bones
The Browns Board

free hit counter javascript

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

Turf Show Times
Rnadom Ramsdom: 9/9/2010
Gang Green Nation
Hard Knocks Episode 5 Recap: The Return of Revis Island
Gang Green Nation
Kevin O'Connell To Re-Join Jets

SBNation.com Recent Stories

Photo

2010 NFL Preview, Indianapolis Colts: Still The Team To Beat In The AFC

Photo +15 updates

NFL Week 1: Previewing And Predicting Every Game Of Opening Weekend

Photo link

Buffalo Rumblings Interviews Jim Kelly About The Bills' Progress

More from SBNation.com >


Executive Editor

Dbn_small Chris Pokorny

Minions

Alex-mack_small Bernie19Kosar

Dsc00156_small Ryan Kelsey

Rufiohookgrin01_small rufio

Moderators

Pryor_small Buckeye Brad