The Cleveland Browns Are The Most Exciting Team In Football

Oct 5, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Jim Dray (81) celebrates catching a pass with tight end Jordan Cameron (84) for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Before the season, I wrote 10 reasons the Cleveland Browns would win the AFC North. It turns out that this prediction had many misconceptions on my part, yet the overall prediction doesn’t look that bad. The Cleveland Browns have played pretty well this year, but it is a team that has been led by its offense instead of its defense. The thing that is truly hurting their chances is the strength of the division. So far, the AFC North has probably been the second best division in football, only trailing the NFC West in overall talent. That means that the Browns story has been buried, but do not overlook this team. In fact, look at this team, and only this team, the Cleveland Browns are the most exciting team in football.

Next up, they had the New Orleans Saints at home. They decided to actually play the first half of this game and were in a constant back-and-forth with the Saints. Down 24-23 with 2:46 left in the game, they started their drive on their own four-yard line. With just 13 seconds left, Cleveland had only managed to get to the New Orleans 39, but Billy Cundiff is Brian Hoyer’s boy, so he’s like, “Don’t worry, Billy, I’m ’bout to throw this 28 yards to my main man, Andrew Hawkins” (Note: I cannot confirm that this conversation ever took place, and it seems unlikely as Hoyer was on the field while Cundiff was on the sideline. Still, there are telepathic possibilities). From there, Cundiff knocked home the game winner, leaving nothing but a kickoff left before the final whistle was blown. It was the Cleveland Browns first win under Mike Pettine, and you would have a hard time finding a more exciting game in week two.

Surely, in week three, they would have a boring game with the Ravens that was decided in the first half. Au contraire, my friend (I consider readers my friends, follow me on Twitter, buddy @JLoncarich), There were eight scores in this game, and seven of those scores gave the team the lead. This is back and forth as it gets. Cleveland tried to run the clock out instead of relying on Hoyer Magic and Baltimore was able to put themselves in position to win the game with a field goal by Justin Tucker as time expired. This probably wasn’t as exciting as the Broncos-Seahawks game that week, but it can make a strong case to be number two.

Just being in the presence of the players of the Cleveland Browns makes any activity ten times more exciting. During the Browns had a bye week, Johnny Manziel went to the Texas A&M/Arkansas game, which featured an awesome fake punt and was one of the most exciting college football games that week. One guy went grocery shopping with Barkevious Mingo and was the 1 millionth customer, winning free groceries for a year. A lady went to Home Depot with Alex Mack and ended up being featured on one of those HGTV shows (I cannot confirm the last two anecdotes, but good luck disproving that they happened).

Finally, the Cleveland Browns had a nice quiet game against the Tennessee Titans in week five. The Browns proved no match for the mighty Titans, as they steamrolled the Browns to the tune of a 28-3 lead which featured not one, but two touchdowns from Charlie Whitehurst. Not since One Tree Hill have ladies been so in love with The CW. The Browns tried to put up a fight, but they still trailed 28-13 going into the fourth quarter. It was time for the non-believers to turn off the game and enjoy their Sunday. But luckily, just like The Monkees, I’m a Believer. The Browns laughed at their 15 point deficit and blocked a punt for a safety. They marched down the field on the ensuing possession to score a touchdown to make it 28-22. With just over three minutes to go, the Browns took possession at Tennessee’s 42 after stopping a QB sneak on fourth down. It was time for Hoyer Magic where he pulled a football out of his center’s butt and then turned that football into six points when he threw it to Travis Benjamin for the touchdown. Despite the Browns leaving 1:09 on the clock (an eternity in Cleveland Browns football time), they held onto the lead to even their record at 2-2 and probably had the most exciting game of the week.

This week, the Browns look for revenge at home against the Steelers. My only prediction is that this is the most exciting game of week six, and you will be making a huge mistake by not watching the Cleveland Browns, undoubtedly the most exciting team in football.