Conspiracy Theory - NFL Wants Browns to Win

[flippy]

I get the sense folks feel bad that Cleveland has lost its coach and players for the playoffs after an 18 year drought from the playoffs.

If Cleveland loses, I suspect people will claim foul. If the Steelers lose, it's not a big issue. We just had an end of season let down that will more easily be explained away and Cleveland can just lose the following week and feel better about having players and their coach back.

I also was looking at Browns playoff history and we knocked them out the 2 times they've made the playoff in the last 26 years. Their previous playoff appearance was 31 years ago when they lose to the Broncos in the AFCC and I think that was the fumble game.

Cleveland has a pretty crappy recent history. They made the playoffs a lot in the 80s. Their team finally got over the hump and won a couple SuperBowls once they became the Ravens.

There's just so much to feel bad about for any Cleveland fan and it feels like the NFL might want to give their fans some hope for the good of another city and the AFC North. If Pittsburgh wins or loses, we'll all be back next year. Cleveland could generate all net new interest from here and their new coach has created some positive momentum for the city.

[Chucktownsteeler]

I think we knocked them out of the playoffs well after their Broncos loss. Maybe I misread your post.

I think we win this game bigly.

[hawaiiansteel]

[NorthCoast]

hahahaa....says it all. But honestly, my concern is the refs in this game. I hope they actually bring flags with them rather then leave them stashed in their suitcases like last weekend. Some very suspect non-calls last week. The Mondeuax choke hold no call was ridiculous and embarassing for the league. And with Watt coming back I wonder if they will be blind to the continuous holding he gets during games.

[Starlifter]

I hope we blow them out and Cleveland descends into another 20 year drought with fans lamenting:

The fumble
The drive

And then

The corona.

[Steel Maniac]

The whole world is always against us. That’s nothing new. All I hear on the radio is poor Browns blah blah blah. It’s always us against thr world.

[feltdizz]

Seems like the NFL would want our ratings for the playoffs more than a feel good story.

[flippy]

Seems like the NFL would want our ratings for the playoffs more than a feel good story.

I was thinking they’ll gain more long term with more interest in the Browns for years to come vs ratings in the short term for just 1-3 more games.

But you could be onto something. All the AFC playoff teams are small market teams. So maybe Pittsburgh ratings now have some value to the league.

[feltdizz]

I was thinking they’ll gain more long term with more interest in the Browns for years to come vs ratings in the short term for just 1-3 more games.

But you could be onto something. All the AFC playoff teams are small market teams. So maybe Pittsburgh ratings now have some value to the league.

No one is interested in the Browns besides Cleveland fans and Lebron.

[flippy]

No one is interested in the Browns besides Cleveland fans and Lebron.

No one is interested in any team until they win a SuperBowl.

The Steelers didn't have fans everywhere until they won in the 70s.

[Eich]

No one is interested in any team until they win a SuperBowl.

The Steelers didn't have fans everywhere until they won in the 70s.

It's time to put the clowns back where they belong. This weekend. No SOUPer bowl for you!

We drew the best first round card possible. Make a statement!

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

No one is interested in any team until they win a SuperBowl.

The Steelers didn't have fans everywhere until they won in the 70s.

Living in Canada, most people don't choose their team based on home city, the closest we have to a home team here is Buffalo. I always tell people when talking football that I can tell when they started watching fopotball based on their team (unless they chose their team because they have cousins in Seattle or something) and I have only met one Browns fan who is not an old guy, who started watching in the '50s Jim Brown era.

[feltdizz]

No one is interested in any team until they win a SuperBowl.

The Steelers didn't have fans everywhere until they won in the 70s.

we didn’t have a lot of fans in Pittsburgh until the SB’s.. lol

I’m joking but I definitely think those SB’s and the Steel Mils closing and people moving other places played a factor in our fam base being spread out.

Wherever I go, no matter what I wear that has a logo or name that references Pittsburgh, NFL, MLB, college or even HS. I always get stopped and asked if I’m from the city and it turns into a 10 minute conversation.

Most other people will raise their kids in another city and that kid will become a fan of the hime team. But a lot of Pittsburgh natives don’t let that happen with their kids.

[NorthCoast]

we didn’t have a lot of fans in Pittsburgh until the SB’s.. lol

I’m joking but I definitely think those SB’s and the Steel Mils closing and people moving other places played a factor in our fam base being spread out.

Wherever I go, no matter what I wear that has a logo or name that references Pittsburgh, NFL, MLB, college or even HS. I always get stopped and asked if I’m from the city and it turns into a 10 minute conversation.

Most other people will raise their kids in another city and that kid will become a fan of the hime team. But a lot of Pittsburgh natives don’t let that happen with their kids.

yinzers...

[Starlifter]

I travel the world. Always have Steelers gear on.

As a result I’ve made friends from Beijing to Istanbul to Rio.

All the world loves the Steelers.........