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I have had a few days to soak up the madness that was the Browns Bengals game this past Sunday.  Extinguished are the excruciating fears of a 0-16 season, which were real and seemingly plausible after the Browns’ week one performance.  Back is the overwhelming optimism that runs deep within the loins of every Browns fan…Can anyone say 15-1?

Seriously, all I have wanted (and still want for that matter) since the Browns got back in the NFL is a team that is competitive from week to week. Heading into week three I am once again confident that this team can fulfill these hopes.  As bad as I felt after the week one debacle, I feel ten times better after Sunday’s game against the Bengals.  I have been able to watch ESPN without cringing following a Browns game for the first time in a while, thus I have proudly been watching as much NFL coverage as is humanly possible.  It feels great, and there is absolutely nothing that can wipe out the sense of pride I feel after watching the Browns go toe to toe in an offensive shootout with the Bengals and come out on top.

The offensive breakout against the Bengals was indeed a sight for sore eyes.  I offer my apologies to Derek Anderson for my extreme disapproval whenever he made a bad throw.  Almost lost in the barrage of touchdown passes was the fact that Jamal Lewis ran for more than 200 yards.  He is the first Brown to do so since Jim Brown.  Also overlooked is the great all around job that the offensive line did.  Without further ado I would like to say something I haven’t had the chance to say in a long, long time:  Congratulations ALL around to the Browns offense!

So where do we go from here?  The match up against Oakland this Sunday has the potential for a defensive breakout for the Browns.  At least this is what I am hoping for.  Expect to see a large dose of Jamal Lewis against a tough Raiders defense.  From the other side, expect an even larger dose of the Raiders’ Lamont Jordan.  If the Browns can keep Jordan under wraps and force the Raiders to resort to their passing game we could see a breakout game for a young and athletic Browns defense.  If Browns fans see breakout games on each side of the ball in consecutive weeks expect to hear plenty of Super Bowl talk from the always faithful, always hopeful Browns fans (especially those who are at the Winking Lizard each and every Sunday)…You have to love it when optimism turns into a happy reality, however brief or extended it may be.

Tags: cleveland browns