CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Browns played the new year with practice. With everything else that happened last week, this was a huge victory.
They will go on an even bigger Sunday.
After days of positive covid-19 testing, interruptions and delays, the Browns found some normality and reopened their facilities on Friday to resume preparation to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers and possibly end a post-season drought dating back to 2002.
A season like no other will end on Sunday with a defeat and bitter disappointment for the Browns (10-5) or continue with a victory that would launch them into the AFC playoffs for the second time since their revival in 1999.
“I feel the weight of it,” said wide receiver Jarvis Landry.
It was a tough week for the Browns. They had to scramble players to get on and off the coveted 19 reserve list and will lose at least three starters, including full-back Denzel Ward, when they face AFC champion North Steelers (12-3).
For the first time in three days, they had no positive test and now need to spend the next few hours unscathed. Last week, his trip to play against the New York Jets turned into a lost weekend after a positive test for linebacker BJ Goodson led to four wide receivers, including Landry, being maintained as close contacts.
Landry, who lost the first game of his career, and the rest of the players are back. But the group will miss assistant coach Chad O’Shea on Sunday because he tested positive for covid-19.
Coach Kevin Stefanski will again call on team boss Callie Brownson to replace her. She became the first woman in NFL history to handle the roles of coach in play on November 29, when tight end coach Drew Petzing did not travel to Jacksonville as his wife gave birth to the couple’s first child.
“We will not miss a beat there,” said Stefanski.
It seems that the Browns handled the recent turmoil as well as could be expected. Players got used to virtual meetings and dynamic adjustments, so the past few days have been nothing out of the ordinary – at least by 2020-21 standards.
“We are where we need to be in terms of preparation,” said Stefanski, who named defense star Myles Garrett as game captain. “We didn’t miss the pace of Zoom’s meetings and the mental aspect of that. We finished our work on Wednesday. We have some extra work done today. I’m comfortable where we are. ”
The Browns are also taking a break with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, resting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger along with MVP contender and championship leader TJ Watt and other prominent players. The Steelers are trying to recover for their first playoff game – which, depending on how things are going to turn out, could be against Cleveland.
But even with backup QB Mason Rudolph leading the Pittsburgh “B” team, the Browns know they’re busy as they try to complete a recovery that started after they went 0-16 in 2017.
A victory would restore pride to this football-crazed city and its beloved franchise.
“That would be special,” said Pro Bowl point guard Joel Bitonio, cast by the Browns in 2014. “You put your heart and soul and, unfortunately, your blood, sweat and tears to play for this team, and they gave it to you all.
“You bet a lot and win a lot from it, but the ultimate goal is to win Super Bowls. You see the guys winning, and you see the friends winning who you talk to and they have a Super Bowl ring, and you want to be part of that conversation. Our next step is to win this game to have a chance. ”
That’s all Landry wants.
After reaching the Browns in a 2018 negotiation in Miami, the five-time Pro Bowler promised to change the team’s identity.
“All of our dreams and goals are aligned to be able to play these meaningful games, make it to the playoffs and win championships here in Cleveland,” said Landry, who has played a post-season game in seven NFL seasons. “I think the weight isn’t just on my shoulders, it’s on everyone’s shoulders.
“Everyone really, really wants it.”
Grades: Stefanski “feels good” that RG Wyatt Teller (ankle) will play after losing the last two games. … Rookie G Nick Harris (knee) has been ruled out and his defeat weakens a group that recently lost Chris Hubbard due to a knee injury at the end of the season. … LBs Sione Takitaki and Tae Davis (ankle injuries) are questionable, as well as OL Kendall Lamm (illness).
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