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CLEVELAND (AP) – For more than three years, the Browns have only stumbled on the road.
Cleveland has not won an away game since October 11, 2015, a series of defeats that has achieved 25 wins in a row, a little less than the NFL record for futility on the road held. by the Detroit Lions (2007-10).
While the Browns were preparing for Sunday's game at Cincinnati against the Bengals (5-5), and a clumsy meeting with former coach Hue Jackson dismissed, interim coach Gregg Williams sent a message specific to his players about defeat.
"Do not hide," Williams said. & # 39; & # 39; Be aware of that. & # 39; & # 39;
It's impossible to miss.
The Browns (3-6-1) have lost all four games on the road so far this season, but two have come in overtime and another could have gone into overtime.
During the second week, the Browns lost 21-18 in New Orleans, a defeat that always stings, but that seems more impressive now, given the quality of the match of the Saints. Despite perfect indoor conditions, Zane Gonzalez (Cleveland) missed four shots on goal, including a 52-yard penalty at the end of regulation time that would have forced OT. The Browns cut him off the next day.
Two weeks later, the Browns dropped 45-42 in ergonomics in Oakland, which benefited from two dubious calls from the Raiders' path in the second half. And on October 21, Cleveland was beaten 26-23 in Tampa Bay, losing on a 59-yard field goal at the end of extra time.
The Browns were convinced that their road problems would soon be in stalemate.
Damarious Randall thinks this will happen Sunday. Randall invigorated this week's game by essentially guaranteeing a win at Cleveland on Friday when he was questioned about the clash of receiver A.J. Green, who is questionable with an injury to the toe.
& # 39; & # 39; If they do not have A.J., they get beaten (backward), & # 39; & # 39; Randall said. "I hope he's playing, to make the game a little more interesting."
The Battle of Ohio is almost always interesting, and the Browns are having a blast after their best overall performance when they defeated Atlanta on November 11 and a week off.
Browns are healthy and hungry. They are certainly hungry for a victory on the road.
Josh McCown was Cleveland's quarterback for the 2015 road win, a 33-30-point loss to Baltimore. And if the Browns intend to become legitimate contenders in the playoffs, they must win anywhere, anytime.
& # 39; & # 39; It would be big, & # 39; says left-hand guard Joel Bitonio. & # 39; & # 39; You have to win on the road at some point to be a good team in this league, and we try to improve every week. But if we can go and win a battle of the road, it was pointed out that we had not won a road match for a long time, it would be great for us. This would be another step in the right direction. & # 39; & # 39;
Quarterback rookie Baker Mayfield has the Browns and their fans feel that the worst is over. Mayfield, who sent three passes against the Falcons, has not yet won on the NFL road, but he has orchestrated a lot in Oklahoma.
But Mayfield, who broke Cleveland's 19-game no-win streak in his professional debut earlier this season, said going to New Orleans, Pittsburgh or Cincinnati was very different from a visit from campus in Stillwater or Waco.
"It's not the same thing as academic rivalries, so I think it's very easy for the university to come together," he said. & # 39; & # 39; You have every reason to do it. Now, it's a lot more professional, so you have to find a way to get everyone together so that he is convinced that your back is against the wall and that you only have that left on the road and you have to find a way to win. & # 39;
NOTES: The fiery Williams joked that training was not always his goal. & # 39; & # 39; I thought I was a doctor, but everyone was worried about my behavior at the bedside, so I became a coach. & # 39; & # 39; TE David Njoku (knee) and C JC Tretter (ankle) are questionable for Sunday. … Williams would not reveal his left starting tack, but it appears that Greg Robinson will make his third consecutive start. Rookie Desmond Harrison started the first eight games of Cleveland.
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