Season In The Balance For The Browns
Oct 8, 2008
Author: DawgBones.com

The first time we heard the Cleveland Browns had a must win was when they prepared for their Sunday night showdown in week two against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both media and fans alike said the Browns must beat the Steelers, they did not. We then heard from Phil Savage, the General Manager of the Browns, a week later. According to him the Baltimore Ravens game was a must win, they did not win that one either. Now with the defending Super Bowl champions coming to town on Monday Night Football the Browns truly have a must win game.

It is a must win game because of several reasons. If the Browns truly have aspirations of contending for the AFC North title this year and making the playoffs they must win Monday night. If embattled starting QB Derek Anderson wants to keep his job the Browns must win Monday night. If the Browns want to keep their fan base engaged for the rest of the year they must win.

A win against an undefeated, defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants team would catapult the Browns confidence into the stratosphere. Getting a win two weeks ago against the Bengals was just what the doctor ordered. The bye week was at the right time to get players healthy. The nationally televised game in Cleveland is another star aligning for the Browns. The Browns will not enter this game lightly having been throttled by the G-men in the pre-season on Monday Night Football in New York. Lastly the Giants have played five teams with a combined record of 5-13 in 2008. Take away their outing against the Redskins and the Giants last four opponents have a combined record of 1-12 in 2008.

The Giants have also only had one of their first four games of the year on the road. The only truly competitive game they had was a week three overtime win at home against the same Bengals team the Browns beat heading into their bye week.

So if ever there was a time for the Browns to get a win against a team that is favored by eight over them at home, this is the week. This truly is a must win game and would not only put the Browns right back into the AFC North race, but legitimize what we heard all off-season, that this team is for real and not a fluke.

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