The game against the host Indianapolis Colts on Sunday is one the Browns should win, and must win, if they are to secure an AFC playoff spot for the first time since 2020, and just the third time since they came back as an expansion team in 1999.

The Colts are not great. The Browns are much better. But this is the NFL, and there are good players on every team. So, then, while being better helps, it’s not enough. The team that wins these games is the one that is also more focused, makes less mistakes, makes key plays when they are there to be made and makes plays down the stretch, when most NFL games are won and lost

The team that wins is driven and determined to win. It expects to win and is committed to do whatever it takes to win, and that includes in the preparation in the days leading up to the game.

The Browns have some issues they will have to work through, most notably that they will once again be without starting quarterback Deshaun Watson. They are also coming off a huge, 19-17 emotional win over the San Francisco 49ers. So they may still be celebrating a little.

But despite all that — and yes, it’s a lot — these are the games in which the good teams scratch and claw and battle and find a way to win. They just do. It doesn’t matter if it’s 3-2, 50-49 or something in between, a win is a win is a win. The good teams often don’t rout their opponents, but rather they beat them by 10 points or less. They don’t out style points. All that counts is winning. Years from now, no one will care how you win, or by what score you won, or even who you beat. They will just look to see if you won, or not.

And keep this in mind: the Browns are in this extremely enviable and desirable position, with a 3-2 record and a spot in the postseason if it began today, because of that big, scintillating win over the 49ers. That was a “wow” season- and even franchise-changer victory, but only if they build upon it by beating the Colts. Otherwise, with a loss in Infianapolis, it becomes nothing more than the NFL’s version of a shooting star, something bright and shiny and dazzling that stays only for a short time and then disappears over the horizon before fizzling out. It doesn’t stick around and glow, giving off light and energy and illuminating the way to even bigger and better things down the road.

That is, it doesn’t stand the test of time, the only test that really matters when it’s all said and done.

So, then, how do the 2023 Browns write their story from here?

Beginning at one o’clock Sunday, we shall see.

Steve King