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It couldn't get much better for Browns and Indians fans this week as both teams enjoyed some rare success, even if at different levels. About the only thing that could top it is if the Cavs got into the picture and Lebron James hosted the season premiere of Saturday Night Live (like that's going to happen!).

It's not too often that Cleveland fans get to revel in the success of the Browns and Indians at the same time, but it's happening now. With the Browns defeat of the hated Ravens 27-13 on Sunday, giving them an odds defying 2-2 start, and with the Indians crowned as Central Division champs and preparing to host the New York Yankees in the Division Playoffs on Thursday, this is definitely a week to be enjoyed.

The Tribe, despite an 0-6 record against the Yankees in the regular season, enters the playoffs with a lot of well earned confidence. C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona give them a great 1-2 punch, and with Jake Westbrook the #3 starter and sporting a 2.91 ERA over his last 13 starts, you have to like the Tribe's chances. As long the Indians' bats don't go into one of their occasional slumbers, they could very well knock off this latest version of the Bronx Bombers and their super-sized payroll.

In addition to excellent starting pitching and a strong albeit sometimes nerve racking bullpen, Tribe fan's hopes' are even higher because of the recent resurgence of Travis Hafner's somewhat long lost power and RBI stroke. And with Victor Martinez and Grady Sizemore also leading the way offensively, and with well timed contributions from Asdrubal Cabrera, Johnny Peralta, Casey Blake and others, Indians fans may well be cheering on the Tribe in late October at the same time the Browns are preparing to play meaningful mid-season games for the first time in years.

The Browns are one bad half (or one bad field goal attempt) against Oakland from starting the season 3-1 and tied with Pittsburgh for the division lead. They are beginning to have a look about them that could spell unexpected trouble for the remaining teams on their schedule, many of which had already marked their game against Cleveland as a win and may now have to reevaluate.

Unless another string of devastating injuries inflicts this team, they should continue to improve as the year goes along and as they get more comfortable playing together and knowing each other on the field and most importantly, learning how to win together.

It may well have been the plan all along to start Brady Quinn against St. Louis after the upcoming bye week. But unless Derek Anderson completely self-destructs against New England and Miami before that, or is injured, it now seems highly unlikely that Romeo Crennel would make such a move and disrupt the developing positive chemistry that Anderson seems to have with his receivers, especially Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow, both of whom are playing like they want a spot on the All-Pro team this year.

So for Indians and Browns fans, enjoy these special moments together in the fall sun. Who knows, with both franchises fielding fairly young teams and with most key players signed for at least the next few years or longer, this could be something Cleveland fans will gladly have to get used to.

Tags: cleveland browns, cleveland indians