Browns vs. Bengals: 3 takeaways from the demoralizing loss
There was some optimism that the Browns would benefit from the late-season bye week and actually beat the Bengals, but that mindset just seems foolish now.
Anything other than an 0-16 record would be surprising now, as the remaining schedule includes the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chargers game look to be the best remaining shot to pick up a win, but that doesn’t mean it will happen.
Some have resigned themselves to this reality long ago, but it is still a tough realization to grasp. Being a fan of a professional sports team is supposed to be fun, and even when a team is terrible, there are usually at least a few bright spots to celebrate. But not this year.
The only hope for the Browns is that they play in a blizzard and win a 2-0 game sometime in the next three weeks, because the group on the field Sunday is not capable of beating any of the remaining opponents without some help.
The best thing to do now is enjoy the holiday season and not let the Browns’ misfortunes ruin what is supposed to be a fun time of year. That game on Christmas Eve against the Chargers could even end with a Browns victory. That would be a true Christmas miracle.