Behind Enemy Lines: Cleveland Browns

Sep 29, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) gets tackled by a gang of Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Browns beat the Bengals 17-6. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

After the success of the first Behind Enemy Lines series with our friends from Factory of Sadness we have decided to turn it into a mini series leading up to the important game this Sunday between the Browns and the Bengals in Cincinnati.

Jared Mueller from FoS asked me about how Bengals fans have reacted recently following two dismal losses as well as what is wrong with Andy Dalton. Check them out over at Factory of Sadness.

We asked FoS how optimistic Browns fans are with their current position in the AFC North?

Q: With the Browns sitting second in the division with a game against the Bengals this week are the fans optimistic or guarded about the opportunity to better their standing in the north?

A: Browns fans are cautiously optimistic, if I can sit squarely on the fence answering your question. Many assume that the Browns would of won a game or two more if Brandon Weeden would of never started a game. The belief is that our defense would of carried us and Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron would of done enough with either Brian Hoyer or Jason Campbell at the helm to win a few more games.

Fans are wary of Campbell’s play so far, wondering if it is just an aberration or the real deal. So far he has played under control against 2 high quality defenses in Kansas City and Baltimore. His 5 TDs to no INTs is an exciting ratio but fans aren’t sold yet. Part of that is due to being burned in the past, part is the expectations we had for Campbell coming in. How could a guy who couldn’t beat out Brandon Weeden and then was passed over for a player who had bounced around to multiple teams last year possibly lead the team.

The fans see this week’s game as a season defining game. If they can pull off the victory, and pull within a half game, fans will finally be bought into the possibility of them competing in the North. The play of Andy Dalton, as well as the injuries, gives them hope that this can happen. For a team that “punted” on the season at least once, or more, in the fans eyes this is a real positive.

We will have questions every day leading up until Sunday, check back for more and check out Factory of Sadness for their questions about the Bengals.