Why Not Us?
Josh Thornton
Every year there are surprise teams in the NFL. Teams that outperform the pre-season predictions of the talking heads and open the eyes of the collective football world. Some of these teams end up going pretty deep into the NFL’s prestigious playoffs, giving them a chance. A chance to dance… a chance to play in the Super Bowl.
In 2009 the New York Jets, with Rex Ryan as their head coach and Mark Sanchez as their QB, got into the playoffs as a fifth seed at 9-7. They had caught some fire late, but were given no legitimate shot to win their first playoff game. They did… win that is. They won in the divisional round too, propelling them to the AFC title game, where they fell short to Peyton Manning’s Colts.
The year prior, in 2008, Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals found themselves playing in January after a 9-7 season put them in first place of the NFC West. The counted out Cardinals cruised through the postseason and made it all the way to the big dance. Ultimately they fell short, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a last minute Roethlisberger touchdown pass.
There are defiantly more teams that could be added to the list of improbable playoff runs. Two examples are enough though… this is after all a Browns article. So, what’s the common thread between the examples above and our Browns? Well, being counted out, of course. Not many picked the Browns to make the playoffs. Even fewer picked them to beat the Steelers for their first playoff win in a quarter century. They did both. Now, we are staring at a matchup with last years Super Bowl champs. The NFL’s darling Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. And, true to form, nobody is giving this Browns team a shot. That is, unless you ride with the orange and brown.
Around every corner this team has given us proof. Display of talent and good football play have been a staple this season.They have knocked down obstacle after obstacle and have shown belief in what this new regime is transforming our team into. The have shown belief in each other and have given us the privilege to believe in them. A tangible buzz is surrounding our beloved city, and Browns nation as a whole. Confidence oozes from players and fans alike. They want more. We want more.
We’re here now… fighting for a chance to dance. Fighting for our story… our legacy.
Why not us?
Go Browns!
