It Can Only Make....Not Break!

In these parts Sundays in the fall are for the 4 "F's". Sundays are family, food, fun, and football. We all get together and have these big Browns parties, complete with all the trimmings that real fans enjoy. We sit down as friends and families to watch, analyze, and voice our opinions about the Browns. But since 1999, there have been many trying Sunday afternoons. The celebratory dances in the living room in front of the TV have been too few and far between. But, the for the past three weeks, we may not have actually gotten up and gotten down with our bad selves in front of the tube, BUT we're loosening up those hips!

The Browns have won three in a row and that's big news. This Sunday it's the big brother/little brother battle with the Steelers. If the Browns can pull this off, it would be four in a row, and I can only speak for myself, I would probably go all Apollo Anton Ono/Emmit Smith about it. I'm hoping for that dance chance.

The Browns/Steelers match up has been one of the NFL's best rivalries for about 50 years. But over the past ten, it's just been a beat-down. Sunday it will be interesting to see if the surprising Browns can continue to stun us by giving Pittsburgh a go.

Occasionally in sports, the game takes a back seat to the bigger picture. Professional sports spark civic pride, bragging rights, a sense of well being, and can lift the mood of an entire area. Especially one that could use a lift. This Sunday is that day. The best part about it is, the Browns and the fans have no pressure this weekend. This game is not a make or break game for the Browns. The season can not be broken even with the worst of defeats. BUT.......this game could MAKE the season for the Browns for endless reasons.

First a loss. It's just a loss, the Browns would be 5-4 with 7 schedule friendly games to go. No big deal. With this team playing the way they have been nothing would be lost except one Sunday in November.

BUT....a win......and it is so much more. Pride. Civic pride! Every once in a while, a single win can ramp up everyone it touches. This win would be a win for the fans, the Browns organization, Romeo Crennel, Phil Savage, all the players, the fan who suddenly becomes a fan with the news that the dragon had been slayed. The NFL itself. Rivalries have become too few and far between in this league since the ESPN era began. Rivalries have become what the network wants us to watch, and we believe it. Do you really care about the Giants and the Eagles, or the Chiefs and the Raiders? Of course you don't. The Steelers and the Browns have been rivals because the TEAMS say they are. And lately this one has faded. But a win by the Browns, and all bets are off. It would be back on again. All accomplished in one three hour game.

Browns fans like me are just about ready to burst. This could be the Sunday we put the pin to pop. Wouldn't it be more fun for all, if this 2-time a year game really meant something? Well this week could be the game that brings all of that back to both cities. It's the best of all worlds, this game can only MAKE the Browns season, not break it. There is a huge upside, and virtually no down. The Browns are so much better this year, and it's fun to cheer them on again!

Try to keep that in mind this Sunday. I will try to keep that in mind when I'm watching the game with my friends. But I sure wouldn't mind goin' all Happy Feet at the end of the fourth quarter myself. It's been too long! GO BROWNS!