Cleveland Browns
2011 PFF All-AFC North Team
While the offseason has arrived for all but four teams, we continue on, recognizing the excellence of individuals for seasons well played. We began our look at the 2011 All-Division teams yesterday with the AFC East, but today it’s the AFC North’s turn to take its place in the limelight.
As with all of these teams we’re using some discretion when it comes to personnel and system in order to get the best possible lineup on the field from each division, so don’t necessarily expect to see the teams match in that regard.
Here is PFF’s All-AFC North Team for the 2011 season.
Re-Focused: Steelers @ Browns, Week 17
The Pittsburgh Steelers got some ideal preparation for the postseason in the form of a closely contested divisional clash that featured some wintery weather and went down to the last play. Unfortunately, they also got some bad news after the game when it was revealed that running back Rashard Mendenhall had torn his ACL on an innocuous-looking play in the second quarter.
The Steelers hung on to beat the Cleveland Browns 13-9 when a last-second Hail Mary pass fell incomplete and now travel to Denver for a postseason game on the road. Despite losing Mendenhall, they should still be favorites, although a lot will depend on how Ben Roethlisberger’s ankle holds up, because it still seemed to be limiting him here.
The Browns year ended with a spirited effort and they will look to retool in the offseason, especially on the offensive side of the ball, as they only scored more than 20 points once all season and that was back in Week 2.
Three to Focus on: Steelers @ Browns, Week 17
After Week 1 their defense was too old, after Week 9 the Ravens had their number. Yet here we sit in Week 17 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, defending AFC Champions, waiting to pounce and retain the AFC North crowd should Baltimore slip up again.
This is the last chance for the Browns to show what they can do and make a big statement against a divisional rival heading into the final week of the season. Their playoff hopes ended long ago but you can bet they’d take an enormous amount of satisfaction from making sure the Steelers don’t win the AFC North, regardless of what happens in Cincinnati between the Bengals and the Ravens.
I’m a big fan of ending the season with divisional games and with the battle atop the AFC North heading into the final week it makes this one even better. So with that in mind let’s take a look at the thee areas to focus on this week.
Re-Focused: Browns @ Ravens, Week 16
It was a familiar story for the Cleveland Browns as I once again came away from watching them thinking they have the building blocks in place, but their lack of a top quarterback and receiver kept them from completing what would have been an impressive comeback.
For the Baltimore Ravens it was again the type of performance that makes you wonder if they can make any noise when January rolls around. Once again the passing game was lacking and they go into Cincinnati next week knowing that they need to shake their road woes or face a tricky trip to Denver or Oakland in the Wild Card round of the playoffs as opposed to a bye week to rest up.
Despite the Browns falling just short and the Ravens failing to inspire expectations of a run to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis, this game featured some key performances, both good and bad, from both sides. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at the performances of note from this Week 16 matchup.
Three to Focus On: Browns @ Ravens, Week 16
On Monday morning the Baltimore Ravens were licking their wounds after a beat down at the hands on the San Diego Chargers. They were an angry team that was facing up to the prospect of having to go on the road in the playoffs once again. Fast forward to later that night as they celebrated with the Pittsburgh Steelers failing to take advantage against San Francisco. The Ravens once again had their destiny in their own hands. In order to win the AFC North and get a first round bye it’s very simple – just win out.
After another disappointing season, the Browns will surely be relishing the chance to play spoiler as they get to take on the divisions two best teams to end the season. Improvements have been made in Cleveland, but before they can think about challenging the rest of the AFC North, they need a capable signal caller and some offensive playmakers.
The Ravens know that they are just two wins away from one of the best regular seasons in team history. However, the Browns will be desperate to prove a point on Sunday, so with that in mind let’s take a look at the three areas to focus on.
Re-Focused: Browns @ Cardinals, Week 15
On the surface of things, a Cleveland Browns versus Arizona Cardinals contest didn’t appear to be something that would provide much excitement. Indeed you only needed to look at the respective quarterbacks on display to think this game could go down as one of those instantly forgettable end of seasons.
Well credit to John Skelton, Seneca Wallace and their respective teams, because in front of a sellout crowd at the University of Phoenix stadium, we were given a match up that delivered more quality, tension and excitement than anyone could have predicted. Ultimately that was to the joy of the home fans, who saw their team overcome a 10-point deficit, with the Browns finally losing their battle to reign in the explosive Patrick Peterson’s punt returns.
That said this game deserved to be remembered more for a break down in coverage or overtime punt return. No, this was a game that featured several impressive performance (and some not so), and it’s only fair we do our bit to highlight them.
Three to Focus on: Browns @ Cardinals, Week 15
When you’re this late into the season, there are three kind of games. There are the ones between two teams fighting for playoff seeding, the one between a future playoff team and a team playing for pride, and then there is the game between two teams who are out of the picture already.
This game is somewhere in between the second and the third, as the Cleveland Browns have no playoff shot, while the Cardinals need a miracle. The miracle has already started with wins over the Cowboys and 49ers. If they can handle two of the better teams in the NFC, then Cleveland who has lost six of their last seven should be no problem. Quarterback Colt McCoy could very well miss this game as well, which should make things even easier. Read the rest of this entry »
Re-Focused: Browns @ Steelers, Week 14
What looked like a routine victory for the Steelers on paper, proved anything but as the Cleveland Browns came into Pittsburgh and threatened the Steelers AFC North chances (as well as the health of several starters).
Indeed, while the result is what was expected and desired, it’s hard to tell how much this could cost the Steelers in the future. Ben Roethlisberger was hobbled and Maurkice Pouncey forced from the game while Ziggy Hood also disappeared in the second quarter never to return. The extra layoff will do them good but it’s hard for any team to contend with three players picking up knocks, especially one trying to chase down the Baltimore Ravens.
Still it’s to their credit they overcame a stubborn Browns team who struggled, outside of an opening drive, to move the ball. A shame for Cleveland though as their defense really stepped it up with big stands and key turnovers to stop Pittsburgh from building up a lead before the big play threat of the Steelers’ receivers knocked them out for the count. Let’s look at some of the key performances.
Three to Focus on: Browns @ Steelers, Week 14
The AFC North has boiled down to a battle of who’ll blink first between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. Once again, these two sit atop the division as we head into the final quarter of the season. Baltimore controls their own destiny thanks to a pair of head-to-head victories over their primary AFC North rival. The Steelers need at least one Ravens loss if they are to take the division, while avoiding any slip-ups of their own.
The role of the spoiler is all the Browns have left this season but they are definitely a team on the up, despite their record. As was seen last week, they have enough talent defensively to keep them in games longer than in the past but a limited offense continues to hold them back. Read the rest of this entry »
Re-Focused: Ravens @ Browns, Week 13
There was something very business-like about the way the Baltimore Ravens handled Sunday. After suffering disappointing defeats to lesser opponents earlier in the year, the Ravens calmly focussed on the run in this one and the result was clear. Not quite a blowout, but the Ravens never looked threatened in the second half as they eased to victory.
For the Browns it highlighted how far they still need to come, despite the improvements they look to have made this season. The biggest need for improvement will be at the quarterback position where they need someone to show they can win games like their three AFC North divisional foes if they are to have any chance of competing within the division anytime soon.
That being said, one or two Browns, and more than a few Ravens, really stood out again this week so let’s take a look at the key performances from this one.
 |
|