Browns lose to Ravens, 37-27
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 am by Displaced Cleveland Fan
Another one slips away.
The Browns lost at home to Baltimore. This was a must-win game for the Browns to have any shot at the playoffs. Sure, they’re far from being statistically eliminated. But for all practical purposes, this season is done.
It looked somewhat hopeful about halfway through the third quarter when the Browns were up by 2 touchdowns. But they managed to let the Ravens score 24 unanswered points. The defense had been pretty good most of the year, but not today. Sure it didn’t help that Derek Anderson threw one interception that was returned for a touchdown and the offense couldn’t stay on the field long enough to give the defense a break. But still, the defense has played better than they did today.
The Browns are now sitting in third place in the AFC North at 3-5. The Ravens now are 5-3, with a 2-0 series lead over Cleveland. Oh yeah, there’s also Pittsburgh sitting at the top at 5-2. The division is lost. And there are too many good teams vying for wild card spots. It is finished.
So where do we go from here?
There are 8 games remaining. The Browns need to use that time to see if Brady Quinn can be the starting QB. I don’t know when Romeo Crennel will make a QB change. Unfortunately, the Browns have a short week this week since they play Denver on Thursday. So if Brady does replace D.A., it may be held off for a week. But the change needs to happen. The sooner the better.
And something needs to be done with Braylon Edwards. If he hadn’t dropped that touchdown pass late in the game, the Browns might have held on to win. But this has been the story for Edwards this year. He cannot be relied upon. He is a liability. He does not need to be on the field.
Now, I know Edwards is a Pro Bowl WR. And it is likely that he is just having an off year. (Unlike Derek Anderson, a Pro Bowl alternate last year who will likely never produce like that again.) I believe Edwards can be a solid #1 WR. But he is hurting the team now. He needs to sit.
I realize that benching Edwards will put the Browns in serious trouble at the WR spot. But it can work if necessary. You still have Stallworth, Steptoe, and Cribbs. And even if Stallworth is injured, which he has been most of the year, I still say bench Edwards for a game or two. Play Steve Sanders. Play Kellen Winslow as a WR. Whatever. Just hold Braylon Edwards accountable. He is a Pro Bowl WR. He needs to play like one. Make him sit until he gets his head back in the game.
Really, at this point, what do you have to lose? The season is over. We’re starting the 2009 preseason this Thursday. Bench D.A. and Edwards. Play Brady and whatever other WR’s we have. Get ready for next year.
Tags: Brady Quinn, Braylon Edwards, Derek Anderson, football, Romeo Crennel, scores
