Kid Cleveland

"Pittspuke." It just flows from the tongue. While saying it you can nearly feel the "nastiness" that may linger in your body suddenly is expunged. Just the sound of that word sounds both so definitive and vile to most Pittsburgh women that they would in fact be preferred to be called the dreaded c-word.

It's not happening you dirty bitches. I and the Browns Backers (along with Sienna Miller) are loud, proud, and we're not taking it anymore. This weekend the losing streak is going to end…hopefully.

Naturally, that last statement carries a lot bigger bark than its bite. Coming into Sunday, the Steelers have won eight straight meetings. What has been even worse is the fact that more than couple of those games has resembled an absolute abortion from a Browns fan's perspective. The combined score of those eight contests computes to: 231 – 94.

HOWEVA, one thing the Brownies have going for themselves this weekend is the confidence of a three game winning streak as well as the knowledge that they are not the same team that Pittspuke saw in the season's opening week. That should translate into an improved effort on the field in itself. The real lingering question though is just how improved will they look Sunday?

Naturally, the Steelers are once again among the league's best in terms of running the football (2^nd) and are a total biotch on the defense. In fact, the defense is playing so well that they rank first in the league both against the pass and in total points allowed. Those just happen to be the Browns biggest strengths this year to date.

I wouldn't expect the Browns to put a cease and desist order on their passing attack based on the Steelers defensive rankings. My thinking is based on the "look at who Pittspuke has played" theory. So far the best QB's they've faced are Carson Palmer and Matt Hasselbeck. Don't get me wrong, they are both good QB's, but both are literally lining up behind offensive lines that are made out of toilet paper. The rest of the QB bunch features the likes of Alex Smith, Charlie Frye, Matt Leinart, Jay Cutler, and Steve McNair. In other words, this defense has benefited from the schedule they've been handed so far.

I'm not saying this offense is gonna put up 500 yards of offense or anything. I am saying they will look like a much improved team from the bunch seen in week one. Derek Anderson will throw and throw often. I expect good days from both Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow. Unfortunately, none of these guys can stop an opposing team's ground game.

This game is simply going to come down to whether the Browns defense can slow down slick Willie Parker. If he's held to about 100 yards or less, then it's anybody's game. If he runs wild like he has against the Browns then this game will be no different than any in the past 5 years.

PREDICTION: Browns 31 – Steelers 27 (Editor's Note: You're damn right it's a homer pick! Screw you Pittspuke!!!)