Gregg Williams: Browns will treat Week 17 like our playoff game

[JAR]

The Browns are not a playoff team, but for the first time in many years, they’re playing like one. And they plan to play like one in Week 17.

Browns interim head coach Gregg Williams said his team is approaching Sunday’s game like the Ravens as if it were a playoff game.

“We’ll treat this just like this is our playoff game,” Williams told reporters today. “That’s how intense the game is going to be.”

That’s obviously how the Ravens are approaching it as well, as they will clinch the AFC North with a win but will likely miss the playoffs with a loss. There was a time when seeing the Browns on the schedule for a must-win game would have been a dream matchup for any NFL team, but that time has passed: The Browns have won five of their last six games and are going to be a dangerous opponent for the Ravens.

[SteelBucks]

Well I’d hope so. I’d feel better if the game wasn’t in Baltimore. Of course the Steelers put themselves in this crappy situation to begin with.

[pittpete]

You mean by blowing the Cleveland game and getting spanked by the lowly Raiders?

[SteelBucks]

You mean by blowing the Cleveland game and getting spanked by the lowly Raiders?

and Denver and blowing a 16 point lead at home against LA. (I’m a little bitter this Christmas Eve)

[Steelhere10]

Steelers have no one to blame but themselves.
Tomlin
Ben
Butler
Danny Smith

[SteelBucks]

Steelers have no one to blame but themselves.
Tomlin
Ben
Butler
Danny Smith

I agree with 75% of your list.

[Steelhere10]

I agree with 75% of your list.

Who shouldn't be on here may I ask?

[SteelBucks]

Who shouldn't be on here may I ask?

I’m not getting into Ben argument here but I firmly believe they’re a 6-10 team without him.

The rest on your list should have walked home from NO.

[Steelhere10]

No not putting Ben on here for yesterday game. No way no how, but for missing the playoff if we do.

[SteelBucks]

No not putting Ben on here for yesterday game. No way no how, but for missing the playoff if we do.

Ben can only carry this team so far. He wins a lot more than he loses and he makes everyone around him better on offense. At some point someone needs to pick up the slack.

The team needs to spend some of that left over LB money to patch the porous defense. Mainly the secondary. They’re in desperate need of a CB and S. And for the love of God quit putting LBs on WRs.

[brothervad]

I’m not getting into Ben argument here but I firmly believe they’re a 6-10 team without him.

The rest on your list should have walked home from NO.

SteelBucks,

I think it's safe to assume without him, they are at best a 6 win team . Imagine Landry Jones this season (if Ben would've hung it up). He can't even get a backup gig anywhere else in the league.

Blame Ben, Blame Tomlin, Blame Colbert, blame the front office...I think they all play a part. Ben likely lost us a game or two this year with his turnovers, but he also likely won or will win 4. The fact is some of the losses wouldn't have even been competitive without him.

Interesting take from Colin Cowherd today... (paraphrasing)

Steelers are like that guy you know that just does enough...interesting stat, not a stats guy but this one bears mentioning...over the last 10 years when the Steelers are a 9.5 point favorite they are 6-5. Over that same 10 years the rest of the league...52-10

Yeah of the 15 losses as a 9.5 point favorite one team has 33% of those losses.

One other thing he mentioned but said he has no corroboration on this but did say the source who told him pretty reliable. Halftime against Pats...about a dozen Steelers in locker room where on their cell phones. I don't know if it's a generational thing, but I tend to think Bill Bellichik would not go for that. Yes they one...but it is an indication that perhaps the current coach is a bit too lax

One last thing to connect to the cell phone anecdote...Ray Fittapaldo's on PG was pretty interesting. The general theme was the Steelers not "being on their details enough." I would suggest reading the comments to get the feel for it.

I think the general consensus is that if the Steelers do not make the playoffs the front office will request changes from Coach Tomlin. Those who are wishing him gone...I think you only hope is if he draws a line in the sand and says "Absolutely Not!" But even Fittapaldo says that is unlikely.

brothervad

[papillon]

Blaming Ben is like blaming the fork and spoon for being obese, 6 wins would be a spectacular season without him, I'm not sure what anyone believes is going to happen once Ben hangs them up, but unless Rudolph pans out, it's going to be the 80s and 90s all over again.

Pappy

[SteelBucks]

Blaming Ben is like blaming the fork and spoon for being obese, 6 wins would be a spectacular season without him, I'm not sure what anyone believes is going to happen once Ben hangs them up, but unless Rudolph pans out, it's going to be the 80s and 90s all over again.

Pappy

Yeah 6 wins may have been a bit generous.

[Mr.wizard]

Browns are going to put it on the Ravens!!!

[Steel Maniac]

Please stop; we’ve been reduced to posting stories that have us begging for help?? Sounds pathetic. We screwed ourselves by losing to the lowly raiders. Whatever happens , happens but let’s not beg the Browns.