Cleveland Browns vs. San Francisco 49ers: 3 keys to a win

Dec 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Shawn Williams (36) and Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Josh Shaw (26) collide as they tackle Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (34) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Shaw was injured on the play. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The last key has nothing to do with the game plan or who will line up against San Francisco this afternoon. The most important thing to watch for today is which Browns are still playing with heart.

At 2-10, the team can easily pack it in over the last four games, or they can compete and play with heart and toughness. The last four games will be very telling and will reveal which players love their jobs and our passionate about winning. Talent can only take a player so far, and the Browns need players in this organization that care and our willing to lay everything on the line to try to win some of these games down the stretch run of the season.

Veteran Donte Whitner summarized it best in Friday’s meeting with reporters saying, “Some Browns don’t know, don’t care or don’t want to play football. That will be figured out over the four games.”