I'm sorry "Born and Raised" is so late this week. It is entirely the fault of a vast conspiracy of anti-Mistake by the Lake Sporting Times radicals, among them the Pittsburgh Ketchup Lobby, the U.S. government, the woman on the horse, the guy with the hose, and that damned Lloyd Braun!

Anyway, the Browns played a heck of a game, once again. The offense is playing better than any Browns offense in decades, thanks to the tremendous success of the passing game. All the components of the passing attack are clicking right now: the play-calling is excellent, the protection is near-perfect, the receivers are playing great, and the quarterback is executing. As a result, who knows, we may see Derek Anderson in the Pro Bowl this season!

The defense remains a concern, especially the pass defense. Granted, they only surrendered 23 points this week, which is a step in the right direction, but Seattle, like previous Browns opponents, was pretty much able to pass for a first down whenever they wanted. The only times the Browns defense got stops were when the Seahwaks (foolishly) tried to run the ball on 3rd or 4th down.

Taking all facets of the team into account, the Browns are currently better than they've been at any time since 1999, and that includes 2002, when they finished 9-7, but actually, weren't that good (-0.2% DVOA). The 2007 Browns had an overall DVOA of 0.0% heading into this game, so when this week's DVOA rankings are published, we're sure to find they've graduated into—dare I say it?—positive numbers! Break out the champagne!

Play of the Week

Alex says: When the Browns scored their final touchdown, they needed a two-point conversion to tie the game. With a good line and powerful back like Jamal Lewis, you'd expect them to line up in a goal-line formation and pound it in. However, the Browns spread it out. The Seahawks sent a corner blitzing, though he came right in front of Anderson's face. Anderson saw it and was able to throw the ball falling away from the blitzer to Joe Jurevicius. Another corner was draped all over Jurevicius's back, but he was able to use his body to block the defender from the flight of the ball and make the contested catch. And despite the no-call, there were pretty solid grounds for a defensive pass interference penalty. With everything on the line, Jurevicius made a fantastic play.

Corey says: While it wasn't the most acrobatic of plays, it might have been the most important, in terms of affecting the outcome: the Browns defense's excellent stand on 4th-and-inches in overtime. Sean Jones came flying in off the right side and was able to trip Maurice Morris up in the backfield. What a beautiful sight it was! Watching the Browns defenders race off the field following that miraculous hold reminded me a little of the famous goal line stand in Week 17 of 2002, in which the Falcons failed to score on a 1st-and-goal opportunity, thus sending the Browns to the pancakes. I mean playoffs.

Player of the Week

Alex says: We're starting to sound like a broken record. Derek Anderson is good, but let's not forget the offensive line. The line was dominant in pass blocking, especially the left side of Joe Thomas and Eric Steinbach, as always. However, though Corey and I would usually have something to say about Anderson being good but still making a few stupid mistakes or putting little touch on his throws, I now think that Anderson is legitimately maturing from week to week. His interception was avoidable, sure, but not chuck-it-into-triple-coverage stupid. Anderson's yardage and completion numbers are good, but how much better would they be if Edwards and Winslow hadn't made so many costly drops, particularly in the end zone? What I'm trying to say is that Anderson is no longer just benefiting from a good line and smart play-calling. He's actually playing like a top quarterback.

Corey says: Alex, how can you say we're starting to sound like a broken record? We at the Mistake by the Lake Sporting Times are nothing if not constantly changing our minds and disagreeing with each other. Anyway, my Player of the Week is Derek Anderson. I have to admit, I was very skeptical of his early success this season, not only because of his track record, but because all his great throws were followed up by horrible ones. Well, it's starting to look like his 2007 numbers are legitimate. With each game, Anderson makes fewer of the mistakes that used to characterize him. What I'm trying to say is that Anderson is no longer just benefiting from a good line and smart play-calling. He's actually playing like a top quarterback.

Quote of the Week

Alex says:

"Halloween isn't over until Homer Simpson screams 'D-O.'" —Sam Rosen

This came from, of course, an in-game promo for the latest Treehouse of Horror special and instead of "D-O," the script called for Rosen to mimic Homer's trademark "D'oh!" I just want to know, how out of touch is Sam Rosen? The Simpsons has been on the air for something like 20 years now and he still hasn't heard of "D'oh"? Homer is a cultural icon! Not to mention that Rosen has been working for Fox for more than a decade. The biggest show on the network that employs him, and he doesn't know the most quotable catch phrase of the nineties?

Corey says:

"If you want to say the P-word, meaning Pittsburgh, yeah, that's fine, because we have to start thinking about them the minute we walk out of here. But don't be using that P-word yet meaning playoffs, OK? We've got a way to go yet before we can start thinking about that." —Sean Jones

Oh, so it's okay to start talking about Pittsburgh now? Good. what about Houston? You play them in three weeks. No—off limits? Huh. Well, anyway, I was only using that P-word meaning pancakes. Mmmm. Mmmm mmm! I could really go for some pancakes.

Ryan Pontbriand Honorary Special Teams Moment of the Week

Alex says: It'd be hard to pass up Phil Dawson's game-winning field goal. Just before he took the field, Fox showed the factoid that his last game winner was on December 3, 2006 against Kansas City. How does this matter at all? Kickers have so few opportunities to kick a game-winning field goal, some may not get one for a whole season! Am I supposed to worry that Dawson may be rusty on his game-winning fundamentals? Don't forget, it's almost been a year.

Corey says: Meh. I hate when kickers get credit for game-winning field goals. (Same way I hate when running backs get credit for 1-yard touchdown runs that cap off 90-yard drives.) What would you have estimated were Phil's chances of making that kick? 95%? Higher? It's just not that hard to do. The fact that Dawson missed an extra point early in the game is a much stronger negative indicator of his performance than the game-winning field goal is a positive indicator. All in all, it was a pretty bad day for the special teams. The best play they put together was probably Josh Cribbs' 38-yard kick return in the first quarter.

Dave Yovanovits Memorial Obscure Brown of the Week

Alex says: Practice squad tight end Richard Angulo is so obscure, he doesn't even get a jersey number! He also went to an obscure football factory, Western New Mexico University! And he's a Mustardian tight end—6'8" 266 lbs! Now that's my kind of Obscure Brown. Sadly, he has no awesome middle name, but we will accept him as if he did.

Corey says: The newest Brown, signed last week off the waiver wire, is obscure enough to qualify, though you may remember him from such teams as "the Steelers." He is defensive back Ricardo Colclough (rhymes with "folk lee"), and he's taken Ted Washington's roster spot after the big guy went on injured reserve. Originally a second-round draft pick out of Tusculum College, Colclough was a full-fledged, card-carrying member of the Pittsburgh secondary as recently as eight days ago. Could it be a coincidence that the Browns' next opponent is... the Steelers? Alex thinks I'm reading too much into it, but I happen to think the strategy of picking up someone who was recently cut by your upcoming opponent is pretty brilliant. Colclough's not going to be able to teach Rob Chudzinski and Derek Anderson how to tell exactly which Steelers will be blitzing on which plays, but he may be able to give them some valuable insights as to what schemes they call in what situations, etc. Certainly, his presence on the Browns will force the Steelers to alter their gameplan. Considering Pittsburgh will already be preparing on a short timeframe (because of an appearance on Monday Night Football), this could prove to be an advantage for the Browns.

Fashion Item of the Week

Alex says: Bwahahaha

Corey says: You may laugh, Alex, but it was Charlie Frye's invaluable insight into the Browns playbook that held the Browns' scoring total to 33 points, instead of (by my calculations) 124.6. Also, Frye smartly wore a parka with the hood up for most of the game, which kept the Browns fans seated behind him from knowing (or remembering) who he was. That Frye, he's crafty.

Idiot of the Week

Alex says: After his punt return touchdown (which was only possible due to numerous flagrant penalties), Nate Burleson pantomimed LeBron's pre-game routine of pouring talcum powder in his hands, clapping a couple claps, and making a powder explosion. Burleson claims to be a Cavaliers fan and wanted to give a shout-out to LeBron, but it wouldn't matter whether Burleson is from Akron proper (he's from Seattle). You can't go into another city and impersonate the other city's idol without it being mockery. It's simply impossible. Otherwise, if Burleson is supporting LeBron during the game, it's like he's supporting Cleveland. And then it's like he's supporting the Browns, which can't happen. So, Nate Burleson: idiot.

Corey says: Far be it for me to criticize a Browns opponent for employing poor strategy, but my Idiot of the Week is Mike Holmgren. This seemed like a very poorly-coached game for the Seahawks. Holmgren had all of Seattle crying into its Jones Soda with his insistence on rushing up the middle in several of the game's most crucial situations, despite the fact that the Browns defense was clearly going to allow the Seahawks receivers to get wide open at any time. Also, the Browns repeatedly punished the Seahawks for their decision to let Lofa Tatupu cover Kellen Winslow. If teams haven't figured out by now that Kellen Winslow is essentially another wide receiver, they don't deserve to win.

Number of the Week

Alex says: God, this is a cop-out, but anyway… 0, or the number of non-ironic "BRA-DY" chants since Week 1. The emergence of Derek Anderson has almost washed the existence of Brady Quinn from my memory. Remember in the preseason when everyone thought Quinn should be starting already? Oh, those were the days. Anyway, I'm glad this isn't getting much press since it'd be a distraction for the team, but what is the team going to do with Anderson after this season? They've made a large investment in Quinn and I expect they'll want him to be the starter in 2008. Anderson likely wouldn't move back to the bench after proving himself. He's a restricted free agent, so maybe some QB-starved team will give up a second-round pick to sign him. At the end of training camp, could you imagine that the Browns could swing a sixth- and second-round pick for Frye and Anderson by 2008?

Corey says: 13.1, or Derek Anderson's total DPAR for this game. It wasn't quite his best game of the season, as you can see below (these numbers are approximate, as the opponent adjustments reflect what we knew about those teams at the time):

            pass DPAR  rush DPAR
Wk 6 (MIA)    14.6        1.7
Wk 2 (CIN)    14.5        0.0
Wk 9 (SEA)    12.2        0.9
Wk 8 (STL)    11.5        0.0
Wk 4 (BAL)     4.3       -0.4
Wk 5 (NE)      2.6        0.0
Wk 1 (PIT)     0.5        0.0
Wk 3 (OAK)     0.3        1.6

It was, however, his best game so far against a good defense. Derek's had four great games so far, and only this one was against a good defense.

This Week on Josh's Cribbs

Corey says: Episode 8 of Josh's Cribbs finds our hero visiting several area haunted houses in celebration of Halloween. Josh is joined by his wife Maria, teammate Ethan Kelley, and his wife, Antoinette. Josh spends the entire time bragging about how he wasn't scared, while Ethan tries to convince us that Josh was, in fact, scared. All in all, this was probably my least favorite episode yet. Not that I'm complaining—there just wasn't that much action.

Pythagorean Moral Standings

The Browns cruised to yet another convincing moral victory this week, and are still on pace to record the 16-0 moral record that just barely eluded them last year. Elsewhere, the Steelers demoralized the hapless Ravens like so many delicious, delicious pancakes. And the Bengals were screaming "D-O!" as they suffered a minor moral setback, losing to the Buffalo Bills.

            PMW   PML   pct
Cleveland   6.8   1.2  .850
Pittsburgh  4.5   3.5  .563
Cincinnati  3.7   4.3  .463
Baltimore   0.0   9.0  .000

Next week: The Browns crush the Pittsburgh Steelers so mightily, all the Steelers players will retire, all the Steelers fans in attendance will commit themselves to an insane asylum, the Heinz corporation will go bankrupt, the color yellow will be removed from the spectrum of visible light, and The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh will be banned from cable reruns forever. Join us, won't you, as we recap this glorious event, on another "Born and Raised on the Cleveland Browns!"