It’s fair to say that November has been a month of conflicting emotions for Cleveland’s dedicated and long-suffering football supporters. Of course, the headlines have been dominated by the shameful events concerning Myles Garrett and Mason Rudolph at the end of the Week 11 between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s something that cannot be ignored or played down, but it is disappointing that it has overshadowed a turnaround for the Browns that has been inspired from an unusual direction.
A global fanbase
Cleveland’s dismal performances in recent seasons have not altered the fact this this is a team with a huge and passionate fanbase. Visit London on a Sunday evening and you will witness a sea of brown and orange in the Hippodrome Casino as the UK Browns Backers meet up to watch the game on the big screen. However, numbers were down in early November as eight dedicated fans traveled to Cleveland to watch the Week 10 and 11 encounters against the Bills and the Steelers.
Turning the season on its head
The British Bulldawg spirit that the UK fans brought certainly seemed to have its effect. Pre-season, bookmakers like Unibet NJ Sports agreed with the partisan fans that the Browns were in with a genuine shot at the playoffs this year. By the time week 10 rolled around, though, Cleveland were 2-6, the Playoff odds were stretching and it seemed that normal service was being resumed.
The British supporters witnessed a tough, grinding performance against local rivals Buffalo to break what had been a four-game losing streak with a 19-16 win. There was just a four-day wait till the next game, which was the reason the touring fans had chosen this moment for their Cleveland adventure, and what’s more it was against the old enemy, Pittsburgh.
Until events descended into farce and controversy, Cleveland had looked comfortable, with Mayfield throwing two touchdown passes and adding a one-yard plunge to see his team home by a margin of 14. It was only the fourth time in the past decade that the Browns have beaten the Steelers, and represents the first time since the conferences were rearranged that they have gone 2-0 in the AFC North.
Even after the Browns had returned home, Cleveland managed to keep the run going in Week 12 with a win over the hapless Dolphins. Under other circumstances, that would have been no surprise, but given the off-pitch distractions and the question marks over how the Browns would cope without Garrett, it was exactly the fixture they needed to settle nerves and refocus.
Playoff prospects
There is still plenty of work ahead for the Browns if they are to secure a playoff berth. The Ravens have secured a seemingly unassailable lead in the AFC North, while at 5-6, Cleveland are still behind the 6-5 Steelers in third place. With the Garrett fiasco still dominating the headlines, Cleveland’s visit to Heinz Field will attract the eyes of the sporting world. For the Browns, however, it will be essential to stick to the basics and concentrate on the football.