The holidays are finally here!
Regardless of what our readers celebrate, we hope everyone gets to spend quality time with their families and enjoy the upcoming football games.
The Cleveland Browns are taking the day off to be with their families.
Freddie Kitchens and company need to wind down and recharge for their upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday.
In honor of the Browns, let’s look at three reasons to be thankful as a Browns fan.
1. The Browns Are in the Wild Card Race
For the first time since 2002, the Browns have an opportunity to secure a playoff spot.
The season started off ugly, but Baker Mayfield and the rest of the team rallied around Kitchens’ 1-0 mentality.
After a few suspensions, locker room problems, and injuries, it feels like a miracle to say that the Browns are closing in on making January football a reality.
In 2017, Cleveland went 0-16.
The amount of improvement from 2017 to 2019 is incredible.
Browns’ fans need to remember that this is a newly formed team and growing pains happen.
Cleveland is in good hands for the foreseeable future, and for the first time in awhile, family members aren’t going to make fun of anyone for wearing orange, brown, and white.
Updated playoff standings: AFC is wide open after the Pats and Ravens. And other than the NFC East champ, the NFC field is basically set, barring a total collapse by someone pic.twitter.com/DlZEGnIqrR
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) November 26, 2019
2. Baker Mayfield Started Every Game This Season
Since 1999, no Browns’ quarterback started an entire season.
Tim Couch and Derek Anderson played most frequently, but still never completed a full season.
Last year, Mayfield took over as starting quarterback for Tyrod Taylor in Week 4. He played 13 games.
In 2019, Mayfield has played all 11 games to date.
The Browns look like they finally have a franchise quarterback.
After beginning the season with a 2-6 record through eight weeks and the Myles Garrett controversy in Week 10, Mayfield has shown poise and leadership.
Much like Cleveland as a team, Mayfield is experiencing sophomore growing pains, but he is overcoming them quickly.
The Browns true test will be against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16.
3. The Browns Can Surpass the Steelers This Weekend
This Sunday, the Browns get a revenge game against the team they just recently defeated 21-7.
More importantly, the Steelers are currently one game ahead of Cleveland in the Wild Card race.
If the Browns win this Sunday, they pass Pittsburgh in the division.
Is there a better way to get revenge for the Myles Garrett and Mason Rudolph incident?
The Browns are starting to get healthy, as well. If they can continue to win with backups for the next two weeks, their team is only going to get better.
Enjoy the holiday knowing that the Browns have a realistic chance to make the playoffs, groom a franchise quarterback, and surpass Pittsburgh in the standings.
When was the last time Cleveland even imagined that?
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