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| Third-stringer Thad Lewis gets the start at QB for the Browns today, making this game look a lot like 2008 and 2010. |
The thing about these games is that everyone knows the ax is coming. And usually Pittsburgh is fighting for a playoff spot.
The other thing about these games is that they're started by the Browns' third-string quarterback due to injuries. We watched Bruce Gradkowski muddle his way around the field in 2008 en route to a 31-0 thumping, in which the Browns only had eight first downs. Colt McCoy did a little bit better in 2010 since he put up some points, but the Browns still lost 41-9.
In terms of the game we're about to see today, Pittsburgh may not be going to the playoffs, but it'll still probably resemble that shutout in 2008. The aftermath should look similar too, as the Plain Dealer reports both Shurmur and GM Tom Heckert will be fired, much like Crenel and then-GM Phil Savage.
What do you watch for today? Well, if you're excited for Thad Lewis, you probably haven't seen him in practice. I know Shurmur loves the guy for some reason and likes to keep him around, but Lewis has a worse arm than McCoy, and the Steelers have the No. 1 pass defense for a reason. Remember those bounce passes Colt threw last week? Well get ready for more of those, and a few dying quails.
On a more positive note, Montario Hardesty has a chance to go out and maybe show that he was worth trading up in the second round to get him. The Browns offensive line has been pretty steady this year, with its only replacement coming because left guard Jason Pinkston had a blood clot. John Greco has done a pretty nice job filling in, and with all that continuity, the Browns have a much better chance of putting together a decent run game than anything else today.
Defensively, the Browns do have their work cut out for them. With a secondary ravaged by injuries—and the release of Dmitri Patterson—Ben Roethilsberger could have a very nice day passing the ball. It's probably also fair to expect that the Browns won't force the same number of fumbles they did against the Steelers in week 12.
And I'd really like to see Travis Benjamin get a chance to return the ball today. I know it's Josh Cribbs' "job," but what kind of team has a player make a record punt return and then never lets him return the ball again? It's truly absurd.
Really, though, it's sort of hard to imagine the kind emotions going through Shurmur as he goes through his normal gameday progressions. You've got to imagine he and Heckert have to be at the very least annoyed the news broke that they'll be fired—even if everybody did know. How that affects a pregame speech, I have no idea.
At this point, the players and coaches have just got to be thinking that they want this season to be over so that the chips can just fall where they may. But there's still a game to play, and thus a prediction to make.
The Prediction: Steelers 30 - Browns 9
Phil Dawson gets three field goals as the Steelers roll to an easy victory. Let's hope they won't be his last in an orange helmet.
I'll be back with more throughout the week as the Browns will probably make their moves to forward the organization very quickly.
~MAS
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