What if, a week before the opener, you were told that these things would happen with the Browns through the first half of the season?

*Right tackle Jack Conklin would suffer a season-ending knee injury in the opener against Cincinnati.

*Nick Chubb, the best running back in the NFL, would suffer a season-ending knee injury in the first half of the Week 2 game at Pittsburgh.

Backup running back Jerome Ford would also miss time with injuries, forcing the Browns to rely on Kareem Hunt, whom they re-signed off the street, and someone by the name of Pierre Strong.

*The Browns would give up two defensive touchdowns to the Steelers, including one on the first offensive play of the night, and would lose by four points when they otherwise pretty much dominated the game.

*Quarterback Deshaun Watson would be sidelined with injuries for about as much time as he has played.

*Watson would be replaced at first by a raw rookie in Dorian Thompson-Robinson and then someone named P.J. Walker?

*Because of the worst offensive play call in team history, the Browns would lose by four points at Seattle in a game they dominated for the last 2-1/2 quarters.

*Left tackle Jed Wills Jr. would be facing at least a four-week absence, and likely more, because of a knee injury.

Despite all that adversity, would you have believed the Browns would be in a three-way tie for second place in the AFC North with a 5-3 record, 1-1/2 games out of the lead?

Yes, despite all our criticism — despite all our spitting and moaning, and wringing of hands — the gutsy, determined, persevering Cleveland Browns are right where they need to be at the halfway point.

Would you have taken it way back when the weather was warm, the leaves were green and still on the trees and absolutely no one was predicting a World Series matching the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks?

Of course you would have.

Steve King