Does Latest Ohio State Debacle Cost Them A Playoff Spot?

It seems Ohio State every year travels on the road where they decide not to show up and play good college football and it leaves you scratching your head. This time it was in Purdue as the Buckeyes got pushed around all night long as Purdue dominated them 49-20. It was as bad as the score shows as the Boilermakers were not scared by the No.2 Buckeyes and there high powered offense. This loss really hurts there playoff chances, but it does not eliminate them totally.

Many college football fans think or feel the Buckeyes have no chance, but that's not reality in the college football landscape. Teams can lose a game there suppose to win and still make it. For Ohio State this year could be a tricky one for them. They can make it but will need some help because it could be real close. Here is what must happen for the Buckeyes to have a shot at the playoffs.

The first thing the Buckeyes must do is win out so they can get to the Big Ten Championship game. Purdue also must win out as well so they can avenge their one loss by playing them in the Championship game. A Norte Dame and UCF loss would help alot as well. Ohio State still has a shot and the one thing we have noticed about the committee they will give the Buckeyes a good look even with one loss.

Carlos Hyde Traded To Jags For 5th Round Pick

Carlos Hyde was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 5th round pick today. Hyde had to know the writing was on the wall if you ask me. Nick Chubb and Duke Johnson needed more carries and the only way that was going to happen is to trade Carlos Hyde. For the Browns this is something that may not turn out as well as they hope it does and here is why.

Everyone is looking at Nick Chubbs numbers and they are very impressive, but you also must factor in other things as well. Defenses were not designed to slow him down in their game plans, but that will stop with Hyde being traded. Chubb is a great talent, but it will be much tougher to knock off those big runs like he did early this season. Only time will tell how this works out for the Browns.

As far as Duke Johnson he does need to touch the ball more, but I do not think it should be as a runner. He cannot take the punishment of being an every down running back. Cleveland should consider making Johnson a slot receiver which would make matchup nightmares for opposing teams. The way it looks though that will not happen anytime soon.

It will be interesting to see how this trade works out for both teams. Hyde is a workhorse back and should do well in Jacksonville. For the Browns they are hoping that Chubb can carry the load like he did in Georgia. Only time will tell if the Browns made a good decision on trading Carlos Hyde.

Browns And Buccaneers Both At Crossroads Already This Season

The Cleveland Browns and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter this Sunday at a crossroad in their respective seasons. For the Cleveland Browns after beating the Baltimore Ravens they felt they were headed in the right direction. That train got derailed last week with a drubbing at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers. Tampa Bay started at like a house of fire, but that it seems was a long time ago. The Bucs are struggling to win ball games and many issues have cropped up for them as well. Today, we will take a quick look at both teams and what their major problems happen to be right now.

Tampa Bay has one of the best offenses in the NFL ranking either one or two most weeks. The Bucs can score points and a lot of them. One of there issues on offense is they virtually have no running game at all. This means teams know they are going to pass it to their talented core of receivers but no one seems to be able to stop it. You would think they would be at the top of there division because of it, but they are not. Tampa Bay has one of the worse defenses in the NFL. They give up huge chunks of yardage and points. This usually puts all the pressure on the offense to outscore their opponents. In today's NFL that just is not possible.

The Cleveland Browns have issues as well and are at a crossroad as well. After the drubbing by the Chargers, many things are starting to come out about this young Browns team. Words such as fragile and not on the same page are being heard. Injuries are also playing a role as well. Players like Jarvis Landry hasn't produced the numbers the Browns had hoped for to this point. Trading away Josh Gordon was probably not a good move considering the Browns injuries as wide receiver. This is a young team and when you start to lose finger pointing starts to come out. Baker Mayfield is not use to losing and that is why this week in Tampa is so important to both teams.

Tampa Bay and Cleveland both are at crossroads and which team will do enough to win this game. The losing team could find their season spiraling out of control. This is why both teams understand this is a must win this Sunday. The question is who will want it more Tampa Bay or Cleveland.

The Astros Finish Off The Tribe Thank God

The Houston Astros put the Cleveland Indians to rest with a convincing 11-3 win and a sweep of the three-game series. Cleveland in recent years has struggled in the playoffs and this scenario has continued in 2018. Since the loss to the Cubs in the World Series, this team just does not look the same. It hard to say how much that has taken out of this team, but it's evident something is not right. Corey Kluber continues to struggle in the playoffs and other players have not stepped up when needed.

Hitting in the playoffs is critical if you want to win a series. Cleveland's hitters went AWOL and Houston pitching mowed through them like a lawnmower through the grass. Cleveland during the regular season hit the ball well, but towards the end of the season, they did struggle. Those struggles continue against a Houston pitching staff that was lights out in all three games.

Cleveland's front office has some thinking to do this offseason. Do they change the manager or is there other issues holding this team back. I do know one thing the window of opportunity is closing rapidly for this team. Cleveland must make some tough decisions in the offseason.  Moves must be made and some bold ones could happen because of this pathetic showing in the playoffs.

Browns And Steelers Battle To Ugly Tie 21-21

When the Steelers came to Cleveland to open the season I was hoping for a very good game to watch. Cleveland had added a lot of new pieces to their team, but what we see from both teams was pretty ugly. Both teams battled to a 21-21 overtime tie and have multiple issues that both teams will need to address.

Cleveland's defense was very good and Myles Garrett was a beast on the edge. Pittsburgh at times had trouble controlling him. The Browns defense was able to come up with turnovers to help the offense out, but Cleveland struggled on offense for most of the game and have issues that will need to be fixed. The running game was good, but the passing attack definitely needs work. Tyrod Taylor was just 15/40 for 197 yards and one interception. This was only the first game, so there is plenty of time to fix the issues on offense.

Pittsburgh's defense surprised me with their play in this game, The front four was great and harassed Tyrod Taylor all game long. The defense on the back end for the Steelers was also very good which was a shock. I was told they were not very good, but that was not the case at all. On offense, the Steelers did not look well. Antonio Bryant was held in check for the most part and Big Ben threw three interceptions.

Overall this was such an ugly game for both teams. Neither team could get things going consistently for any long stretches. A tie hopefully will not hurt either team towards the end of the season. At least both teams can build on this and hopefully this kind of football won't happen again anytime soon.

Steelers vs Browns Who Wins The Opener?

The new look Cleveland Browns finally get to take the field today and remove the sour taste of a 0-16 season from their mouths and bodies. The problem is they will be facing one of the better teams in the NFL in the Pittsburgh Steelers who have a lot to play for themselves in this game. Let's take a closer look at the game and give our bold prediction on this game.

Let's take a look at the offenses of both teams:

Cleveland's offense is so much better this opener than last year. Cleveland signed Tyrod Taylor and have No.1 pick Baker Mayfield baking him up. Compared to last season a huge upgrade. Toss in wideout Jarvis Laundry and Josh Gordon and you have a potent offense. Maybe the biggest improvement may come in Todd Haley the Browns new offense coordinator. He is great at his job and will make a huge difference on this offense.

Pittsburgh, of course, has Big Ben still at the helm and Antonio Brown and some very good wide receivers to throw the ball too. There will be no LeVeon Bell for the Steelers, but they still have one of the best offensive lines in football. Pittsburgh will rely on Big Ben's arm and game management in this game.

ADVANTAGE: Steelers but not by much.

On defense, the Browns are heads and shoulders above the Steelers. Cleveland has spent money and draft pics on their defense and it shows. Myles Garrett is a beast and the linebackers are some of the best in the league. Steelers, on the other hand, has many holes in there defense and Cleveland should be able to score against them.

ADVANTAGE: Browns

Special teams are another area we must see improvement in the Browns. Last season they really had some issues. On the other hand, Pittsburgh special teams are usually in the Top 15 every year.

ADVANTAGE: Pittsburgh

PREDICTION: The Browns are so much better this season and look for this game to be really competitive. Pittsburgh knows they are going be in a dogfight in this one. I just think Pittsburgh being the veteran team will make just enough plays in the end to win. It will be close 31-28 Steelers.

Urban Meyer And Ohio State Did Everything Wrong In This Case

Urban Meyer and the Ohio State University had a perfect chance to make a stand against domestic violence and they fumbled it all away. Yes, Urban Meyer and Gene Smith got suspended by the University, but they could have done a lot more which is a shame. Courtney Smith had to get little comfort in all of this as she got drugged through it all. Meyer gave a lame apology after the media railroaded him about it. If the media didn't step in she may never see an apology from Urban Meyer which is a shame.

Zach Smith who has been accused of domestic violence but not charged got with a lot if you read the information that has been released. Meyer did warn him on several occasions about his behavior but did not remove him until information was released about him. When that happened Meyer got rid of him. No matter how you look at it domestic violence is a serious issue and it seems neither Meyer of the University took it very seriously. Courtney Smith and her family must be shaking their heads and I can't say I blame them. This should have ended so differently, but when you talk about big-time money it should not surprise anyone of the outcome!