By STEVE KING
These outcomes on the scoreboard – wins, losses and, this year especially, ties as well – all count as one in the standings.
Just one.
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Not two or three or four. Just one.
At least statistically, and officially.
But in terms of what these wins, losses and even ties do for a team emotionally and mentally, it’s an entirely different story, and value.
Some count more – much, much more – than one, both positively and negatively. That’s especially true in the NFL, where the regular seasons don’t have that many games – only 16 – and thus each one has the potential to have a big impact.
Such was –is – the case with the Browns’ 26-20 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at First Energy Stadium.
That one meant a lot – a whole lot, very much, a big bunch, tons, whatever you want to call it– for the young, building, developing Browns. Their confidence – their belief in themselves and their ability to still win even when they do a lot of things wrong – took a quantum leap forward.
Turnovers by the offense. The Browns were still able to work through it.
The offense going into hiding for much of the second half. The Browns were still able to work through it.
The defense missing so many tackles that you couldn’t even count them all. The Browns were still able to work through it.
The defense looking absolutely miserable on the opening drive of the game. The Browns were still able to work through it.
Penalties by the defense, and the offense – enough over all, really, to choke an elephant. The Browns were still able to work through it.
A missed extra point. The Browns were still able to work through it.
Letting the Panthers drive down the field in the closing seconds. The Browns were still able to work through it.
Yes, the Browns were still able to work through all of these imperfections and win – the third in their last four games – to improve their record to 5-7-1, which is still not great at first glance but, in essence, is fantastic considering where this team was at – rock-bottom – the last two seasons when they were a combined 1-31.
So, then, a huge day – a deliriously happy day – for the Browns.
And for quarterback Baker Mayfield. This kid is special and getting more so every game.
And for offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens. He’s completely changed – upgraded – the offense after ol’ what’s-his-name got canned, and as such is going to be a coordinator somewhere in this league next season.
And finally, also for head coach Gregg Williams, who, with every victory, increases his chances to have the interim tag removed from his job description in theoffseason.
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