This is Cleveland

So, in the midst of this “blizzard” in northern Ohio, I was thinking about the 2012 NFL season, specifically the Browns, of course. Let’s review, shall we?

The season opened on September 9^th at home with a heartbreaking loss to the Eagles.  This started what would become a five game losing streak away in Cincinnati, home against the Bills, and away against the Ravens and the Giants. All these games, with the exception of the Giants game, were lost by less then two touchdowns.

Week 6 provided the first Browns win at home against the Bengals but that was followed by a loss in Indy. The Browns returned home and beat the Chargers in a low scoring 7-6 win, but lost at home the following week to division rival Baltimore Ravens. The first half of the season left the Browns with a 2-7 record, and fans worried.

Week 11, they headed to Texas and got beat in overtime 23-20. Things started to look up starting Week 12 when the Browns went on a three game winning streak, at home versus the Steelers, in California versus the Raiders, and again at home versus the Chiefs. With a record of 5-8, there was actually a small chance, if the stars aligned just right, the Browns had a shot at the playoffs.

That small chance all but disappeared when the Browns had back-to-back losses to the Redskins at home, and then in Denver.

Now, it’s Week 17. The final week for many fantasy teams, football pools, but more importantly, the last regular season game. More then that, the Browns are traveling to Pittsburgh hoping to sweep the Steelers, but we’re a battered force, with even Brandon Weeden questionable for the game. The injuries are catching up with the Browns and the Steelers both, so there’s no telling how this game will turn out. Regardless of what happens on Sunday, the Browns will still end the season with a losing record, and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters to Pat Shurmur. And at the end of the season, Brown’s fans will once again begin their yearly mantra, “There’s always next year.”