Where Does THAT Leave Us?

var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(320,419,184536,"http://pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}() As everyone is well aware the Browns knocked off, read dominated, the Super Bowl Champion NY Giants on Monday night. The 35-14 game was not even really that close as the Browns' propensity for mental mistakes such as penalties and lack of execution persisted with full force. Beyond that, however, Browns fans were finally able to see for the first time what their team has the potential to do this season. I have been saying that this game had the potential to be the turning point for the Browns this season throughout the bye week. That is where my predictions began to fall behind the actual outcome. I looked at this game as a power running, hard fought battle that would show whether or not Cleveland is mentally strong enough to fight for a win against a quality team for 4 quarters. Instead it was a shoot-out 2007 style for the Browns whose offense finally came to life a third of the way through the season. Netting over 450 yards of offense the Browns were able to pick apart the Giants defense in a variety of ways. For the second straight week, and second straight win mind you, the Browns have ran the more than they passed. On the ground they were able to gain 144 yards on those 30 carries and in the air they collected 310 yards on 29 attempts. For me this playcalling was the key to the game for Cleveland. Rob Chudzinski did an amazing job at scheming to beat the prolific pass rush of the Giants. Based on power runs and short throws the Browns were able to wear down the Giants defense and then strike for the big play. By running a majority of quick hitting plays the Browns were able to not only chip away at the NY defense, but also to force them out of blitzing. I do not follow the Giants, but during the live blog I participated in the Giants fans continually mentioned that their defense was not blitzing like they usually do as the game progressed. This lack of blitzing allowed the game to open up for the Browns offense by giving Anderson time in the pocket to pick apart the Giants mediocre secondary. The second key to the game was the turnover battle. Another huge issue for the Browns this season has been their inability to win the turnover battle. This was far from the case on Monday as they add Eli Manning's second, third, and fourth interceptions of the year while not turning over the ball even once. This was the difference in the game as some of the Giants big scoring opportunities were squandered by turnovers. Moreover, the defense finally came together as a unit and really played at the above league average level that I predicted they would be this season. By forcing turnovers and limiting the Giants opportunities for big plays the Browns were able to keep the NY offense off the scoreboard. They certainly were not dominant as the Giants were able to run for 181 yards and put up a total off 373 yards. Against arguably the best running game and offensive line in the league this should not be too much of a concern for Cleveland. The pass rush is progressing greatly and rookie Alex Hall, is stepping up to solidify the outside rush. With the increased pass rush the Browns secondary looked more than pedestrian containing the passing game and creating turnovers. The main negative for this team still is the lack of speed in the middle of the field. It still seems as if the middle of the field is wide open for WRs when the ILBs are playing zone. This allows for many easy passes over the middle to Steve Smith and Kevin Boss. Their lack of speed and quickness is further seen in the running game as they are unable to approach the line and make plays on a consistent basis. Even as Rogers and Williams continue to clog the line they are unable to fill the holes and stop times from running more than a couple of times a game. With all of that being said what do the Browns need to do to continue winning this season. Other than the obvious things, ie playcalling and turnover battle, that decided this one there are a few things that the Browns must do to further this recent success. The reason playing like they did on Monday is not enough is because it is not likely that they can. It is only once a season when a team has two weeks to prepare for an opponent and brilliant play calling is nonetheless the direct result of the extra preparation time. The first thing is to clean up the unnecessary penalties. Not only are the Browns one of the most penalized teams in the league, but they do it ugly as well. I could accept it if the penalties were for pass interference or roughing the quarterback, but false starts are inexcusable. The lack of discipline of this team is still a huge issue going forward. It is not simply the offense line as evidence by Braylon Edwards' arena football tribute on Monday. Whatever the source of this lack of discipline Romeo best sort it out before the Browns head to D.C. on Sunday. Secondly they are going to have to continue playing the game one play at time, a trend that started in the second half against the Bengals. During the first three and a half games Cleveland was guilty of trying to win each game on every play. By that I mean that most of the team was trying too hard to turn heads and be a game changer for the team. In the last six quarters, however, they have settled down and spent their effort trying to further the ball, or stop it on defense, one play at a time. While those issues are necessary to be tackled as the season progresses, in the short-term the concern has to be the run defense. The next two games are against the third and seventh best rushing offenses in the NFL. The Browns were not really able to slow down the three-headed running attack of the Giants. Unless they are able to have more success against the run these two games will prove to be tough wins as I would not bet that the Browns will continually put up 450 yards of offense and +3 on the turnovers every week. The positives moving forward are the injuries ironically enough. With Kevin Shaffer and Kellen Winslow likely to be back this weekend against the Redskins the offense will have even more fire power than against the Giants. It is scary to think that the Browns were without one of their big play makers and still moved the ball like they did Monday night. It will be interesting to see if these two additions are able to propel the offense to even more success. On the defensive end the Browns are close to getting back starting SS Sean Jones. With Jones back the secondary should only continue to improve. His presence will be an important part of the run defense especially if he is able to return as soon as this Sunday. All in all if the Browns are able to sustain a consistent offense and limit their mistakes they have a huge opportunity to turn-in a second straight winning season. One can only hope, however, that they don't let this win make them over confident, but instead simply confident. It is this confidence that has lacked almost entirely this season as their had been a sense of inferiority permeating on the Browns sidelines during September.