Of all the images and stories from last weekend’s games, the one that made me smile the most (well, aside from the Jets victory over Miami, NOT predicted here last week) was of Cleveland’s Kellen Winslow being ruled as having been forced out (ironically by former Jet Oliver Celestin) with what would’ve been a game-winning TD. Hmm . . . where have I seen that before?

What goes around comes around . . .

Actually, if there’s a team that seems to finally be cashing in some good karma, it’s the Cleveland Browns, who under head coach Romeo Crennel finally are fielding a competitive team. Behind third-year quarterback Derek Anderson (Brady who?), the Browns offense has been resurgent, scoring 28 points a game, good enough for 4th in the NFL. The defense, however, still needs some work as it’s ranked last in the league, at 28.2 points a game. I guess that’s balance, of some sort.

Anyway, Cleveland Rocks!

Cheerleader check: None, but you know Mimi would be one.

Record: 7-5, good enough for second in the AFC North behind Pittsburgh and to be in contention for a wild card slot.

Barometer: Rising, as despite last week’s loss in the desert, Cleveland has generally found their way to the Promised Land — winning football and possibly, the playoffs.

Old Friends: Romeo Crennel was defensive line coach for the Jets from 1997-1999.

Questions: Can the Browns bounce back from last week’s tough loss in Arizona? Where the hell did Derek Anderson come from? What will the team do with Brady Quinn? Will the Browns weak defense be able to stop the Jets weak offense? Who wins in a hot dog-eating contest, Romeo Crennel or Eric Mangini?

Key injuries: DE Orpheus Roye (knee), T Kevin Shaffer (knee), DE Robaire Smith (neck) and CB Eric Wright (knee) were all limited in practice this week.

What to expect from the Browns offense: As mentioned above, the Browns offense has come alive under Anderson (3,062 passing yards, 24 TDs, 87.7 rating), who, shades of Drew Brees, has found himself after the Browns spent a high pick on their quarterback of the future. His favorite targets are wideout Braylon Edwards (62 receptions, 1,043 yards, 12 TDs) and tight end Kellen Winslow (65 receptions, 909 yards, 5 TDs). Joe Jurevicius also gets a good chunk of the action (42 catches, 3 TDs), and seems to be around to make big plays. Running back Jamal Lewis has a solid if not spectacular season (4.1 yards a carry, 8 TDs) running behind a line that features top pick tackle Joe Thomas and guard Eric Steinbach on the left side. The Browns like to throw first and run later (416 passing attempts to 312 rushing), often forcing their opponents into shootouts.

Jersey watch (offense): The #17 of Edwards and the #80 of Winslow are Cleveland’s biggest weapons.

What to expect from the Browns defense: To quote The Borg: Resistance is futile – as in the Browns defense has been futile in providing resistance to anyone’s offense — they are last in points allowed (28.2 per game), 30th in passing yards allowed (258.4 per game), 28th in rushing yards allowed (131.5) and last in yards overall (389.9 per game). In the front 7 of the 3-4, there’s a mix of veteran leadership with ends Robaire Smith (8th season) and Orpheus Roye (12th season), and linebacker Willie McGinest (14th season), plus some good young players in second-year linebackers Kamerion Wimbley and D’Qwell Jackson. Safety Sean Jones leads the secondary with 71 tackles and 4 interceptions, a unit that has struggled at times and includes Chris Baker’s old buddy safety Brodney Pool. Considering Crennel got the head coaching gig on the basis of being defensive coordinator for a team that won three Super Bowls, you’d think there would be some evidence of it after three years, but apparently not.

Jersey watch (defense): #55 McGinest also seems to still know when to make the big play.

What to expect from the Browns special teams, especially since they don’t have Mike Westhoff: The dangerous Josh Cribbs should be Leon’s main competitor for AFC Pro Bowl returner — 31.2 average and 2 TDs on kicks, 11.6 average on punts — but both are inexplicably behind Wes Welker, who doesn’t even return kicks and is only averaging 10.8 yards on punts. Sigh. Phil Dawson is having another solid year (21 of 24 field goals, including that controversial one off the crossbar and stanchion to tie the Ravens) while punter Zastudil is averaging 43.2 per kick (36.3 net).

What to expect from the broadcast booth: Much about the Belijerk coaching tree and Mangini and Crennel’s ongoing friendship. Also expect something about the Oregon Connection as quarterbacks Kellen Clemens and Derek Anderson were high school and college rivals.

What’s being said in the Browns blogosphere:

• Dawgs by Nature tries to determine who’s to blame for the penalties in each of the Browns’ recent losses.
• Ace Davis’ Cleveland Browns blog also is wondering what is up with all the penalties.
• The Akron Beacon-Journal is also on the yellow flag road.
• Browns Gab looks at the Browns injury picture.
• AOL Fanhouse looks at how Romeo Crennel is trying to protect one of his player’s dumb moves.
• The Cleveland Plain Dealer chronicles cornerback Eric Wright’s recent improvement.

The pressure is on: The Browns defense to contain what faint glimpses of offense the Jets showed last week.

Bottom line: The Jets defense will have a big challenge this week trying to slow down the high-powered Browns offense — if the Jets offense can’t give them a break with a few sustained drives, there can be a repeat of the Dallas game where the defense eventually gets worn out and breaks down.

Cleveland Browns Quick NFL Ranks:
Overall offense – 6th (353.5 yards/game)
Passing – 9th (247.7 yards/game)
Rushing – 16th (105.8 yards/game)
Scoring – 4th (28.0 points/game)

Overall defense – 32nd (389.9 yards/game)
Passing – 30th (258.4 yards/game)
Rushing – 28th (131.5 yards/game)
Scoring – 32nd (28.2 points/game)

Turnovers: -1
23 giveaways (14 interceptions, 9 fumbles)
22 takaways (13 interceptions, 9 fumbles)

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