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Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Tuesday, Dec 18, 2007
BEREA: When asked about the Browns' final two games, co-captain Willie McGinest was practically prophetic.
''It's just one game, Cincinnati. That's all that matters. Our playoff game is Cincinnati,'' McGinest said Sunday after the blizzard-swept 8-0 home victory over Buffalo.
Although running back Jamal Lewis uttered nearly the same words a week ago, linebacker McGinest's were still right to the point. Sunday's game at Cincinnati carries much more weight than the Dec. 30 season finale at home against San Francisco.
For the Browns, the only playoff scenario they care about is the simple one — beat Cincinnati (5-9), and they're in.
But for those glass-half-empty residents of Northeast Ohio, the implications of a loss in Paul Brown Stadium are mortifying. In that instance, Cleveland could finish the season 10-6 and not make the playoffs.
Because the 49ers (4-10) are from the NFC, that outcome will not affect Cleveland's conference record, the fourth playoff tiebreaker. Record against common opponents is the third tiebreaker, and only one team that is still alive, Pittsburgh, faced San Francisco.
Should the Browns fall to the Bengals, they would need Tennesee (8-6) to lose one of its remaining two. The Titans host the New York Jets (3-11) Sunday, then visit AFC South champion Indianapolis (12-2). Although the Titans might seem overmatched against the defending Super Bowl champions, Colts coach Tony Dungy has been known to rest his starters before the playoffs. What he'll do this year is uncertain because the Colts have clinched a first-round bye.
If Tennessee and Cleveland finish 10-6, the Titans would be in by virtue of a better record versus common opponents (4-1 vs. 3-2).
There are also some brain-bending scenarios if Tennessee, Jacksonville and Cleveland end up 10-6. None of those is good for the Browns if they lose Sunday.
In that case, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Tennessee-Jacksonville tie gets broken first, and Tennessee would win based on division record.
Tennessee then would be matched up with Cleveland to determine the first wild card. If the Browns beat the Bengals, Cleveland wins based on a better conference record (8-4 vs. 7-5). If Cleveland loses to the Bengals and beats San Francisco, both would be tied with 7-5 AFC marks. But the Titans would have the edge based on a better record against common opponents (4-1 vs. 3-2).
If Cleveland lost that tiebreaker, it would be matched up with Jacksonville for the second wild card, and the Jaguars would win based on common opponents (3-2 vs. 2-3).
Seeking its first postseason appearance in five years, Cleveland is tied with Pittsburgh for the AFC North lead, but Pittsburgh holds the tiebreaker by virtue of its 2007 sweep of their series.
Even if the Browns clinch a playoff spot Sunday, there is still much to be decided. Wild-card games are Jan. 5-6.
If the playoffs began today, the Browns would play in San Diego (9-5) against the AFC West champion. But Cleveland can still face Pittsburgh, San Diego or Jacksonville in the first round and can still host Jacksonville (10-4) or Pittsburgh.
In a nutshell, the Browns get in this weekend if they win, Tennessee loses, or both tie. The possibilities should make for a frenzied atmosphere in Cincinnati on Sunday.
Although the Bengals' offensive line needs rebuilding, quarterback Carson Palmer is having a sub-par season and the defense has been plagued by injuries, Cincinnati has won five of the past six meetings with Cleveland. The Browns prevailed 51-45 on Sept. 16, rolling up a season-high 554 net yards, but giving up a season-high 531.
''They match up with us pretty good,'' Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. ''They're the type of team we've struggled with and they've put up points. It's going to be a battle and it's going to be a struggle. We realize that. That's why I talked to them after the game yesterday about winning on the road, going to Cincinnati and trying to do the things that we have to do.''
The win-and-you're-in situation may not have calmed Crennel's nerves much.
''That's the situation we've been in for about a couple of weeks now,'' he said. ''Really, it hasn't changed. We're a just a little bit closer.''
Eyes told tale
Browns strong safety Sean Jones wasn't surprised that the Bills ran a screen pass to running back Fred Jackson on fourth and 5 from the Cleveland 10 with 15 seconds left. Jones and linebacker Chaun Thompson stopped Jackson for no gain.
''Right before the play I saw the running back's eyes kind of wandering,'' Jones said. ''I was like, 'This is the same look we had earlier with that screen.' So I ran up and told D'Qwell Jackson, 'Watch the screen.' Fortunately, they ran it and we were able to get off the field.''
Brownies . . .
Game balls went to Lewis, the offensive line and tight end Steve Heiden, the entire defense for the first shutout in two years and kicker Phil Dawson. . . . The game will be shown in a 90-minute version on the NFL Network tonight at 10:30. . . . The Bills returned to to Buffalo by bus Monday after their charter plane got stuck in the mud at Cleveland Hopkins Airport about 8 a.m. The team was not on the plane at the time.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: When asked about the Browns' final two games, co-captain Willie McGinest was practically prophetic.
Get the full article here.
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