Daily Dawg Tags: Cleveland Browns will face Mason Rudolph with playoffs on line
By Randy Gurzi
Mason Rudolph could end the Cleveland Browns playoff hopes
Everyone remembers what happened the last time Mason Rudolph was at FirstEnergy Stadium. It was Nov. 14, 2019, and the Cleveland Browns made it look easy against Rudolph and the Steelers, winning by a score of 21-7.
Rudolph, who was filling in for an injured Ben Roethlisberger, was harassed all day and had four interceptions while being sacked four times. But of course, none of that is what was remembered. Instead, it was the fight that broke out between Rudolph and Myles Garrett.
This brawl ended with several suspensions and fines after Garrett hit Rudolph in the head with his own helmet. Garrett ended up serving six games after his indefinite suspension and will now be in the spotlight again as he and his team will face Rudolph in Week 17 with the playoffs on the line.
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin made the announcement on Tuesday that Big Ben will not play as the Steelers are resting him for the postseason.
That story and more can be found in today’s Daily Dawg Tags.
Cleveland Browns News
"“Steelers coach Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday that backup quarterback Mason Rudolph will start in place of Ben Roethlisberger in a huge game in which the Browns can clinch their first playoff berth in 18 years. The Steelers clinched the AFC North on Sunday and are the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. This year, only the No. 1 seed, Kansas City, gets a first-round bye.”"
The new playoff seeding could help the Browns since Pittsburgh and Buffalo are really playing for nothing more than a number. Whoever ends up the No. 2 seed won’t have a decided advantage since only the Chiefs as the No. 1 seed will get the bye. For that reason, the Steelers are content to let Rudolph play, which could be a huge boost for Cleveland as they look for their first playoff berth since 2002.
"“Given the fact other games have been postponed this season, it would be understandable if some Browns fans thought it was unfair to their team to play Sunday, given the competitive imbalance issues.Surprisingly, Browns center JC Tretter, the NFLPA president, says he didn’t hear any of his teammates ask why they were being forced to play anyway.”"
One thing to admire about the 2020 Browns is they don’t make excuses. They could have in this instance but instead, they have taken their medicine and hopefully it will get them focused on the task at hand — beating Pittsburgh. Do that, and it all goes away. Fail to get it done, and this Week 16 debacle will be a topic for years to come.
Cleveland Browns low usage of David Njoku is unacceptable
Sam Penix looked back at the loss in Week 16 and sees no reason why David Njoku didn’t get the ball more. He’s a versatile playmaker but was hardly targeted — something Penix can’t understand.
Next. For Cleveland, playoffs start now. dark
J.J. Watt could propel Cleveland Browns to the postseason
Following a Week 16 loss, J.J. Watt gave a passionate speech that could actually help the Browns. Should Cleveland lose in Week 17, they could still make the playoffs but will need some help. That would include needing the Texans to beat the Titans, and Watt made it clear that his team has plenty to play for, which could benefit the good guys in orange and brown.