Do the Browns need a little pick-me-up following their 27–6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday in a battle for first place in the AFC North?

Probably so, and if that’s the case, then they got it with the prediction for Sunday’s road contest against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are favored over the Browns by anywhere from 1.5 to three points, according to the oddsmakers.

Whoa! Wait a minute! What? You’re telling us that the Browns, who are 5-3 and only a game out of first place in their division, one in which all teams are .500 or above, are expected to be beaten by a team such as the Saints, who are 2-5 and in last place in one of the sorriest divisions in the NFL, the NFC South, one in which the first-place team has a 3–4 record?

We talk all the time that the Browns still haven’t been accepted as a legitimate postseason contender, despite their record. But to be favored to lose to this sorry bunch is a real kick in the pants.

The Saihts have a terrible defense in that they can’t stop anybody at any time. They are unbelievablyhorrible on defense, and not good enough on offense to be able to outweigh their deficiencies on defense. Yet, they are favored to beat the Browns.

That is something that should inspire everybody in Berea. We’ll see if that’s the case.

Steve King