1. Jim Brown is expected to make his grand return to Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday, the next step in repairing a fractured relationship with the organization that dates back to Mike Holmgren’s arrival as team president. It will be the hall of famer’s first close look at rookie running back Trent Richardson, who Brown called “ordinary” after the team selected him in April’s draft. Another performance like Richardson’s 109-yard, two-touchdown effort last week might change Brown’s mind.
2. For anyone still holding out hope that the Browns can make a playoff run, this week could be the deciding factor. No NFL team that began 0-3 has made the playoffs since this week’s opponent, the Buffalo Bills, did it in 1998.
3. Joe Haden is still out, but Sheldon Brown is expected to give a much-needed boost to the secondary after essentially missing last week with a shoulder stinger. The Browns need all the help they can get. Without Haden, the secondary was gashed for 318 passing yards and three touchdowns last week.
4. Will the real Browns’ offense identify itself? After a dismal showing in the opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, the offense produced 439 yards and 27 points last week behind big performances by Richardson and quarterback Brandon Weeden. Can they do it again?
5. Browns-Bills connections: Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron spent parts of four seasons as the Bills’ head coach, compiling a 24-33 record before he was fired midway through the 2009 season. … Bills special teams coach Bruce DeHaven held the same position on Holmgren’s coaching staff with the Seattle Seahawks for two seasons. … Browns running back Richardson and Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus played together for two seasons at Alabama. … Browns linebacker Tank Carder was a fifth-round pick of the Bills last April, but was released near the end of training camp.
