Browns v. Steelers

Did you enjoy the newspaper columns this week about how the Browns v. Steelers rivalry has lost its luster because the Browns always stink? How about the articles on the same topic that were written last year? How about the ones written the year before that? And the year before that?

Reading the sports sections (PD and Beacon Journal) in this town, it's hard not to feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day. There's a seasonality to the media coverage of Cleveland sports. Right now, we're transitioning from the annual bout of frustration about the Browns to the annual premature euphoria about the Cavs (You know how this plays out, right? Can LeBron turn things around? Yes!... [2 months pass] Well, maybe... [2 more months] Oh no! We suck again!) During this transition period--usually just in time for the holidays--we have the bitter recriminations when, as Vinny predicts will happen again this year, the Indians inevitably fail to sign key players. 'Tis the season to be jolly.

Anyway, here's the prediction. I know Big Ben's out, and that Duce Staley is going to get most of the action at RB, but the Browns defense still isn't good enough (28th against the run) to stop Pittsburgh's running game (3rd best in the AFC). This is not a game in which the Browns can afford to play catch up. They need to establish their own running game, get the lead, and make Charlie Batch, who is starting in place of Roethlisberger, throw the ball. Otherwise, Pittsburgh will chew up huge chunks of clock on the ground and the result will be the usual one.

I don't think the Browns get it done this week. Pittsburgh 21, Cleveland 9.