Football Brainiac

FAIR WARNING
The Brian Billick firing alert is now set to Code Orange, or “Elevated”. I’ve been writing for weeks now that Billick’s job is all but gone, and after another blowout loss last week to the Colts, the Ravens have lost seven straight (a franchise low). Losing is bad enough, but what’s worse is that in that seven game span, Baltimore has been blownout 38-7 (PIT), 32-14 (SD) and 44-20 (IND). They are now assured of their second losing record in three seasons.

Let’s face it. Their defense is getting old, sick and tired. Their offense has absolutely no personality and they have players who act like spoiled brats. A loss to the Dolphins this week would be the icing on the cake, wouldn’t it? Oh, if there’s a God in Heaven above, please make it so!

IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?
With back-to-back victories against Tennessee and St. Louis, the Bengals have won two in a row for the first time in a year - exactly one year. If you’re a Bengals fan, you know that’s not a good sign. And if you are a Bengals fan, what are you doing on this site?

Seriously, though, there’s been very little coming out of Cincinnati for weeks now. In fact, my blog search alert for the Bengals has been practically empty for a while now. It’s as if Bengal fans went into hibernation until next season or something. One Bengals post actually asked if there was anyone still out there takling about the team. I can’t even find any fans writing criticisms of the team. It’s eerily quiet. I guess they’ve all jumped ship… or at least jumped in the Ohio River.

I GOT TO ADMIT IT’S GETTING BETTER
Well, folks, it’s about to happen. Hell is actually going to freeze over! The Cleveland Browns are going to make the playoffs. It might not happen this week, but trust me, it will happen.

There are two things that I have noticed about the Browns since their second loss to the Steelers. The first thing is that their offense has not been nearly as explosive as it was earlier in the season.

Their point totals have dropped from 33 (BAL), 27 (HOU), 27 (ARI), 24 (NYJ). The good news for them, though, is that they’re getting more production from Jamal Lewis. Don’t look now, but the Browns may actually have a balanced offense just in time for the playoffs.

The second thing I’ve noticed is that they’re doing better on defense. They may be scoring less each week, but they’re also giving up less, too (30-BAL, 17-HOU, 21-ARI, 18-NYJ).

It’s hard to tell if their defense is that good or that their opposition’s offense is that bad. With games remaining against Buffalo (who can’t score TDs), Cincinnati (who has forgotten how to score TDs), and San Francisco (have they seen an end zone against anyone but Arizona?), it may be difficult to judge the progression of this defense until the playoffs.

What do you spy going on in the AFC North this week?