7-3 is a very impressive record going into the bye week, especially considering all the questions we had when the season began. I was concerned about Tyreek Hill fitting in. I was concerned about (yet another) first-time head coach being given the top job. I was concerned about the offensive line holding up.
All of those concerns have been alleviated.
On Sunday, the Browns did a fantastic job of taking Hill and Waddle away from their deep patterns. Their game plan was to stop the deep threat, and they did so. But Mike McDaniel countered beautifully. He ran the ball often, and didn’t let up. He called pass plays for Sherfield and Ingold and others, because the Browns were preoccupied in stopping Hill and Waddle. The impressive thing to me is that McD didn’t wait until halftime to make adjustments. He immediately saw how the Browns’ DBs were playing, and he adjusted on the fly. That has been missing in Miami for a long time.
Our makeshift secondary continues to play well enough to win. Another game without an interception, but we’ll take the W. We have no star power in that secondary, but somehow they hang in there. Xavien Howard is well overdue for a few breakout games after the bye. Byron Jones remains questionable, but I expect a decision very soon, because NFL rules state that we have to declare him eligible or not.
It’s taken a while, but I’m beginning to NOT be surprised when we put up 30+ points. I don’t know if we can continue that consistency, but it’s a beautiful thing to see each week.
Special teams is definitely a concern. They cost us. Jason Sanders perhaps could benefit from a challenge if we give some kickers a tryout this week. You simply can’t miss routine extra points, especially two of them.
We’re half a game ahead and in first place, and that is the most unexpected thing of all. We have a really tough schedule coming up, with 3 December road games in a row at San Fran, L.A., and Buffalo. Those are the types of games that used to scare fans, but the way McD has the guys playing, it’s not quite as daunting. But let’s get past the Texans first, after we enjoy this bye week.
This team goes as the O-Line goes. Who knew the line was only a few injuries away from being decent…as bad as that is to say out loud. Robert Jones and Shell are just better than Eichenberg and Austin Jackson. The evidence is overwhelming at this point despite the difference in pedigree.
If the line continues to gel and McDaniel continues to call smart games, we can do some damage the rest of the season because once we start to run the ball, protect Tua and kill clock, that will in turn keep our mediocre defense off the field and fresh when it counts…especially in road games where weather can be more of a factor late season.
No reason to think that McD will suddenly get stupid. It’s never good to fall behind, but when we do, we always seem to come back. That mentality goes a long way…
The teams better when they have the peddle to the metal.
My bold prediction is that the whole AFC East division will be in the playoffs together.
Until someone else from another division steps up, you could be right. Assuming the Chiefs, Ravens, and Titans win their divisions, there are a lot of bad teams vying for a playoff wildcard. New England is last place in our division, but as a wild card, they are in there with the Chargers, Colts, and other ho-hum teams.
Well, the Bills have lost a home game. Moving the game from Buffalo to neutral Detroit is good news for the Browns. The Bills are still the stronger team, but you never know. We lead them by half a game. A full game would be even better. Go Browns.
Also, the Bill are at the Lions at Thanksgiving. The Lions always seem to step up for that traditional game. We can hope !!
I’m upset the Bills game was moved. I know it’s for players safety, but man bit would’ve been epic to watch. I love blizzard and ice games. They are so rare especially nowadays.
Yeah, the NFL has to stop mollycoddling these guys. The heavy snow occurred on Thursday and Friday, leaving 2 full days to plow the field. Remember opening day a few years ago when they Dolphins played at home vs. the Titans, and they delayed the game for HOURS because of a slight rain sprinkle? The official word was “lightning danger,” but come on. Really? How many players in NFL history (or any sport) got struck by lightning? It doesn’t happen
I have to admit that I am nervous about tomorrow. It seems when we’ve played lesser quality teams, it’s always a close game.
Any team can beat another on any given Sunday. But we are the stronger team, and we’re not playing down to opponents like we did in the past decade. Those days are gone. The Lions staggered us by taking a 14-0 lead, but we didn’t give up and got right back to our game plan. It seems to be working, just knowing we’re the better team and sticking to the game plan. It’s a bit discouraging to have gone from 1st place to second in the last 2 weeks, without even losing a game, but that’s what happens when the easy part of the Bills’ schedule coincides with out bye week.