For the first time this season the Browns lived up (or down) to our new T-shirt slogan: We almost always almost win. No Browns game had ever ended 17-12 until yesterday’s wet and sloppy loss to the Jets.
Let’s hope the brutal helmet-to-helmet hit on K.C. Concepcion turns out to be only the second-most devastating blow that Minkah Fitzpatrick has struck upon the Browns. (It was his 2023 hit that ended the elite phase of Nick Chubb’s career.) It was Fitzpatrick’s 14th career personal foul, and the second of that drive against Concepcion, whose absence was missed and whose return may take a few weeks.
On the bright side, our veteran linebacker Quincy Williams, signed from the Jets this offseason, played like a man on a mission and forced three fumbles, the first time a Brown had done that in 45 years. A fourth-quarter go-ahead touchdown to Denzel Boston and Carson Schwesinger’s subsequent strip sack gave the Browns a two-point lead and the ball in Jets’ territory with 4:13 to go.
Must we detail the disaster that followed? Suffice it to say that this game reinforced the notion that the Browns have plenty of growing up to do, and that the offensive line is arguably their weakest link. It surrendered eight sacks, and the running backs could muster only 56 yards on 17 rushing attempts.
Our watch party of 24 deserved better, especially given the team spirit on display at the Northville Sports Den. Dick Nolan gave us a huge boost in our ongoing “Change for Charity” challenge with Grand Rapids’ Beer City Browns Backers, smilingly donating a hefty jar of metal money to benefit Dementia Friendly Services. Our Backer of the Week, Tom Martin, led an enthusiastic “Here we go Brownies” cheer, including an uplifting key change, to stoke the second-half rally.
And Jeff Mueller donated a beautiful vintage Browns coat to the club. Fittingly, he ended up as the winner of our weekly trivia contest, which once again took two questions before an answer emerged. They were as follows (answers below):
- The last time the Browns won their fourth straight game came against the Jets and included a touchdown pass thrown and caught by which former Jets?
- In the epic 23-20 double-overtime playoff win over the Jets on Jan. 3, 1987, who led the Browns’ defense with three of their nine sacks?
Congratulations also to Matt Surella, who won the raffle prize of an autographed Myles Garrett photo and football card.
CLUB NOTES
Feb. 7 may seem far away, but seating is limited for our 20th anniversary celebration. “Top Dawg” Hanford Dixon is already confirmed as our special guest, but your prompt reservation will greatly assist our efforts to further plan this Sunday afternoon event to maximum effect. Please check out the details here and let us know we can count on you to join us at Slows Bar BQ in downtown Ann Arbor.
WEEK SIX PREVIEW
A return to first place is just one win away, if the Browns can best the dastardly Baltimore Ravens at home next Sunday at 1 p.m. Lest we forget, as Dave wrote a decade ago, “The very existence of the Baltimore Ravens derives from supreme treachery … Their every success heaps more indignity onto the Browns, as if the ends justify the means, no matter what our parents brought us up to believe. The fans in Baltimore, having lost their Colts in another disgraceful move only a dozen years prior, now back the product of an epic betrayal without a shred of shame. How apt it is that the death of the original Browns, and the psychic need to preserve their cultural legacy in Cleveland, led to a new outfit named for a poem in which the title character represents a ceaseless, tormenting reminder of loss.”
With or without all that baggage, come join us at the Den for another stanza in this intriguing season. We’ll have a 50/50 raffle, more trivia, and a word or more from Backer of the Week Cheryl Popps. Win or lose, football is more fun in the company of those clad in our accustomed autumnal colors.
Bark hard, keep the faith, have a great week, and we’ll see you soon.
Brownsgirl (Susan) and Ace Davis (Dave)
https://maybethisyear.com/ P.S. trivia answers: Joe Flacco and Elijah MooreCarl “Big Daddy” Hairston |