The end of the season could see the end of the road for some players in Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Browns wrap up the season on Sunday at Pittsburgh. For some players, it will surely be their final time wearing a Browns uniform.

Hue Jackson, Sashi Brown and Co. will begin evaluating their roster soon after the season ends, and some players will be released. Others could be traded or leave in free agency. A few might even retire.

Check out the poll below and let us know which players you think will wear a Browns jersey for the final time on Sunday. You can explain your selections in the comment section.

NOTE: You can make multiple selections.

Leggett is a giant tight end with the skills of an elite wide receiver. Watch video

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Malik Hooker won't be the only freak running around in Ohio State's defensive backfield on Saturday.

In most games, maybe every game the Buckeyes have played this year, Hooker has been the best athlete in that part of the field -- and it wasn't even close. When Ohio State plays Clemson in a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, Hooker will have some competition.

It won't be Clemson receiver Mike Williams, though certainly he's important and has an argument.

It's Tigers' tight end Jordan Leggett, a 6-foot-forever monster who runs like a deer and understands route concepts like a receiver.

"I just do whatever I can," Leggett said Wednesday. "I'm pretty solid at what I do. In high school I was pretty much a receiver and never played tight end in my life (before Clemson). I kind of have the route running down pat. That's one of my strengths in my game, and coming to college I learned how to block."

Tight ends have given Ohio State some problems this year. Oklahoma's Mark Andrews, Wisconsin's Troy Fumagalli, Penn State's Mike Geisicki and Michigan's Jake Butt found some yards against a Buckeyes' secondary that was otherwise stingy all season.

Compounding things a bit for the Buckeyes is that Leggett is far from just an in-line tight end. He gets involved in the passing game from the slot, where's he's been deadly at times, and out of the backfield.

Players like Leggett create problems for almost anyone. They're so big and so skilled that it's nearly impossible to deny them the ball if it's thrown in the right spot. That's why these types are so coveted by NFL teams. Think of guys like Rob Gronkowski and Jordan Reed.

That player alone is hard to stop. That player in a mix of athletes that Clemson has at other skill positions? That's a whole other thing, and a new kind of challenge for Ohio State.

"He's one of the best, if not the best in college football," Ohio State linebacker Chris Worley said of Leggett. "What makes it hard is they have four or five other good receivers, a running back that can do a lot of different things, a quarterback that can run the ball -- you can't just focus on him like you can do against other teams. It's hard."

But the Buckeyes should feel good any time Hooker gets matched up on Leggett. That's freak on freak and you like Hooker's chance of winning just as much as Leggett's.

But matching Hooker up on Leggett would take Ohio State out of what it does best defensively. Hooker is a game-changer when he's free to roam in the secondary. He's a  speedster who can play sideline to sideline maybe better than any other safety in the country. You'd like to have him back there roaming for when Leggett breaks free, which puts the onus on safety Damon Webb, whoever is playing slot corner or a linebacker like Worley to cover Leggett.

That's what Leggett wants.

"Whenever I see man-to-man, it's just a matter of it's a safety or a linebacker," Leggett said. "If it's a linebacker I'm just gonna try to out-run them. If it's a safety I'm just gonna try to use my big body and put them behind me."

Ohio State doesn't have a defensive player who can physically match what Leggett brings at 6-foot-5 and a nimble 260 pounds. Nobody does.

Those tight ends mentioned before -- Andrews, Fumagalli, Geisicki and Butt -- averaged five catches for 48 yards against Ohio State. Fumagalli had the best day when he had seven catches for 84 yards in Wisconsin's overtime loss to the Buckeyes.

Those numbers aren't staggering, but Leggett leads Clemson in touchdown receptions and gets one about every five catches.

"He's an All-American, he's a special player," Buckeyes' co-defensive coordinator Greg Schiano said. "That lends to the issue of there being so many threats to defend. You better not lose him, because he'll score. He's shown the ability to run with the ball after the catch. You put him on tape and he looks much like a receiver when he's running routes."

Other Ohio State vs. Clemson matchups

Can Ohio State's secondary cover Clemson WR Mike Williams?

Can Ohio State RT Isaiah Prince handle Christian Wilkins?

Can Mike Weber make an impact without the ball?

Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey says coach Urban Meyer will have the Ohio State Buckeyes prepared for Clemson in the College Football Playoffs semifinals. Watch video

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers will play their final regular season game on Sunday when they host the Cleveland Browns.

No matter what happens against the Browns, the Steelers (10-5) locked up the No. 3 seed last week and will play either the Miami Dolphins or Kansas City Chiefs in the playoff opener.

But long before many of these players prepared for the NFL playoffs, some were fortunate enough to play in a national championship game.

Years before the current college football playoff format, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey was a member of Florida's 2008 national champions. That team was led by current Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, who Pouncey still reveres and says will have the Buckeyes prepared for their semifinal game against Clemson on Saturday.

"I know he has those guys watching film like crazy," Pouncey said. "They're working their butts off on the practice field. I know they have a lot of juice going right now. I know the type of guy he is and how much he cares. And when you have a guy like that who wants to build men and cares about the program that much, great things happen."

Under Meyer, plenty of great things happened for Pouncey. He started in all but two of his games at Florida, became the school's first Rimington Trophy winner (given to the country's best center), was all-conference and All-American.

"Coach Meyer would treat you like royalty when you were on that field but that wasn't the case while you were trying to get there," said Pouncey, the 18th overall selection by the Steelers in 2010. "I didn't understand that back then but I know now that's something that helps a player grow because you have to work hard to attain and sustain success."

Unlike in Pouncey's day when the teams in the national championship game were decided off the field, college football has gone to a final four format. Along with Ohio State vs. Clemson, Alabama and Washington will play in the second semifinal game.

Many agree the current format is better than the previous but improvement remains in order. Fellow Steelers offensive lineman David DeCastro could have used a different format when his Stanford team, led by Andrew Luck, was left out of a chance for the title in 2011.

"They've got to make it eight teams," DeCastro said. "You watch these bowl games and you wonder what's the point. Sixteen teams should even be considered. That would be ideal. Shorten the regular season or even cut out some of these conference championships, because everyone's only looking forward to a chance at the national championship."

Pouncey agrees with the current format and he said something has to be done to boost the bowl games.

"But at the end of the day, it all generates more money and college football deserves that," Pouncey said.

Jamie Meder, the former Valley Forge and Ashland standout, is one of the few happy stories with the Cleveland Browns this season. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In a season with so much losing for the Cleveland Browns, the Jamie Meder story is worth talking about.

He's the kid from Valley Forge and Ashland University. He's the Division II All-American who wasn't drafted.

He's the young man who has played himself into a starting job on the Browns defensive line.

And now he's the AFC special teams player of the week after his field goal block last Saturday helped the Browns secure a victory over the San Diego Chargers, their first victory of the season.

I talk about the Pierogi Prince of Parma, as Joe Thomas calls him, in this video.

Here's where to watch, listen and stream the Cleveland Cavaliers' game vs. the Boston Celtics tonight.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers play Game 31 of the 2016 NBA season Thursday against the Boston Celtics. Here's how to watch, listen and stream the action online.

What: Cleveland Cavaliers (23-7) vs. Boston Celtics (19-13).
Where: Quicken Loans Arena.
When: 8 p.m.
TV: FoxSports Ohio, TNT.
Radio: WTAM 1100 AM; 87.7 FM La Mega.
Online: FoxSports Go, Watch TNT.

Boston notable: Al Horford and Cavaliers Head Coach Tyronn Lue were teammates in Atlanta during the 2007-08 season.

Cleveland notable: The Cavaliers are averaging 114.5 points at The Q and have scored at least 100 points in 17 of 18 home games. Since March 25, 2014, Cleveland holds a 70-5 record when scoring at least 100 points at home.

Catch the coverage from before the game; join in the live chat starting at tipoff; and stick around for full postgame coverage. For all Cavs information, be sure to check out cleveland.com/cavs.

Cleveland sports fans wonder about Hue Jackson's optimism, Robert Griffin III's escapability and whether Draymond Green has found a new strategy.

A trio of sports icons -- Muhammad Ali, Arnold Palmer and Gordie Howe -- passed away in 2016, as did several other notable athletes and personalities.

Robert Griffin III will practice today in preparation for the Steelers Sunday, and will likely start the game.

BEREA, Ohio - Robert Griffin III isn't finished trying to prove to the Browns that he deserves to be their quarterback of the future.

He was cleared from the concussion protocol by an independent neurologist to practice on Thursday and will likely start Sunday vs. the Steelers in the season finale.

Coach Hue Jackson said Monday that Griffin would likely start over rookie Cody Kessler if healthy.

Furthermore, he's got a decent chance to win his second straight game: the Steelers will rest starters such as Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell.

After watching him improve week by week, Jackson said he wanted to see him play a little more to get a better read on him for offseason decisions.

"Once I'm able to go back and sit down when this is over and look back through it in a different lens of just watching our guys play, I think I'll be able to make that determination with what (we have) if he's not able to play. But if he is, I'd like to see him play a little more and continue to see if he can grow and get better."

Griffin, who remained inside during Wednesday's practice, made it clear to the coach that he wants to face the Steelers, who clinched the AFC North on Sunday with a come-from-behind victory over the Ravens.

"He seems like Robert,'' said Jackson. "Obviously, he likes to play. It's really interesting, Cody (Kessler) and him, they have to go through the protocol. Obviously, it's the right thing to take these young men through when something like this happens so I totally support how they go about it, but they want to be out there with their teammates.

"Sometimes we have to reel them in a little bit because they have to do the right thing by the rules. They get it. Whatever decision comes down from that, we will all understand and abide by it."

Jackson was asked if it's more telling that Griffin beat the Chargers - or got knocked out of it with the concussion. In four starts this season, he's been injured twice on scrambles: the fractured shoulder in week one and the concussion in week 15.

"Hopefully, it's the fact that he won a game, but you have to stay healthy,'' said Jackson. "I'll be the first to tell you that. It's hard to play in this league when you're not out there playing. He did everything to help us have a chance to win the game. He played better in some areas, but you have to find a way to stay out there. In respect to how it was, the guy took a lot of different hits - some that he can get better at but a lot that where we have to continue to get better at. I think it goes both ways."

Griffin has made significants strides each week after his return from the fractured shoulder three games ago. He was understandably shaky and off-target in his first game back against the Bengals, but was more accurate and made better decisions in the loss to Buffalo. Against the Chargers, he provided a spark for the second straight week with his legs, and displayed better touch on his intermediate routes.

"I thought he did a good job of standing in there in the first half and delivering some balls on third down and made some crucial third down throws and runs,'' said Jackson. "He made some first downs with his legs, which extended drives which gave us a chance to score more points. I think we had probably more yards, more first downs, more points in the first half than we have had in a long time, and that is kind of the way you hope to play."

Jackson acknowledged, however, that he must find that elusive first TD pass.

"We haven't thrown one,'' he said. "We've had chances and just didn't hook up. He has to make those plays. Hopefully, this week, if he plays, we will find a way and see if we can throw one before he walks out of here."

Joe Thomas on RG3: 'I wouldn't be shocked if were the guy next season'

Griffin has won over left tackle Joe Thomas, who believes he can be the Browns' quarterback of the future.

"I think you've seen franchise-level talent for sure and I wouldn't write him off by any stretch of the imagination,'' said Thomas, who communicates frequently with Jackson. "I wouldn't be shocked at all if he was our guy at the beginning of next season because I think he's shown enough that if they do decide to make Robert the guy, I think he can definitely be they guy and I think he'd have the support of the locker room.''

LeBron James and the Cavs host the Boston Celtics Thursday at 8 p.m. on TNT. The Cavs won their last meeting with Boston, 128-122, on Nov. 3 in Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavs (23-7) and Celtics (19-13) play tonight at 8 on TNT.

Last meeting: The Cavs won, 128-122, on Nov. 3 in Cleveland.

What's up with the Cavs: LeBron James will pass Bingo Smith (720 games) tonight for third on the franchise list in games played. James' 29.7 points-per-game average against Boston is his highest against any team. The Cavs' last loss with James in the lineup was Dec. 2 in Chicago. They've won 10 straight with him in there. Cleveland is 9-0 against the East's Atlantic Division this year, and owns the best home winning percentage (.889).

Cavs injuries: J.R. Smith (right thumb surgery) and Chris Andersen (torn right ACL) are out.

What's up with the Celtics: They've won six of their last seven and are fully healthy. As Cavs coach Tyronn Lue mentioned Wednesday, Boston is playing like everybody expected with the off-season addition of Al Horford. This team takes care of the ball: third in the NBA with 24.8 assists and fifth fewest in turnovers at 12.4. Isaiah Thomas is becoming a star. He scored 44 points on 16 shots and was 17-for-17 from the line Dec. 20 against Memphis. DeAndre Liggins will guard him.

Celtics injuries: None.

Probable starters:

Cavs

F LeBron James (25.5 ppg; 7.9 rpg; 8.6 apg)

F Kevin Love (21.7 ppg; 10.8 rpg; 1.7 apg)

C Tristan Thompson (7.0 ppg; 10.2 rpg; 0.8 apg)

G DeAndre Liggins (2.7 ppg; 1.8 rpg; 1.1 apg)

G Kyrie Irving (23.6 ppg; 3.5 rpg; 5.8 apg)

Celtics

F Jae Crowder (13.2 ppg; 5.3 rpg; 2.2 apg)

F Amir Johnson (6.7 ppg; 4.3 rpg; 1.9 apg)

C Al Horford (15.5 ppg; 6.8 rpg; 5.0 apg)

G Avery Bradley (17.8 ppg; 7.2 rpg; 2.4 apg)

Here's who to watch during Thursday's games.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns are building for the future by stockpiling draft picks. They get five picks in the first three rounds in the 2017 NFL Draft, and possibly 11 picks overall.

With that in mind, Browns fans might want to take a closer look at the draft prospects in upcoming college bowl games.

Here's who to watch during Thursday's games:

(Draft projections are from CBSSports.com)

Dec. 29

Birmingham Bowl

Teams: South Florida vs. South Carolina

When: 2 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Who to watch: South Florida RB Marlon Mack is projected as a third- or fourth-round pick. Teammate Deatrick Nichols (CB) should be a late-round pick. South Carolina's Gerald Everett (TE) is expected to be mid-round pick, and teammate Darius English (DE) could be drafted in the late rounds.

Belk Bowl

Teams: Arkansas vs. No. 22 Virginia Tech

When: 5:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Who to watch: Virginia Tech's Bucky Hodges (TE) and Isaiah Ford (WR) could be taken as early as the second round. Brandon Facyson (CB) is projected as a mid-round pick, and teammate Sam Rogers (FB) should be a late-round pick. Arkansas' Dan Skipper (OT), Jeremy Sprinkle (TE) and Deatrich Wise Jr. (DE) are all mid-round draft picks at best.

Valero Alamo Bowl

Teams: No. 12 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Colorado

When: 9 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Who to watch: Colorado's Chidobe Awuzie (CB) is a projected third-rounder, and Tedric Thompson (SS) is a projected fourth-rounder. Teammates Ahkello Witherspoon (CB) and Jimmie Gilbert (LB) should be late-round picks. Oklahoma State's Vincent Taylor (DT), Jordan Sterns (FS) and Blake Jarwin (TE) are projected to go between rounds two and five. 

As expected, the Cavs recalled rookie point guard Kay Felder from their D-League affiliate Canton Charge for tonight's game against the Boston Celtics.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- As expected, the Cavs recalled rookie point guard Kay Felder from their D-League affiliate Canton Charge for tonight's game against the Boston Celtics.

Felder scored 33 points to go with seven rebounds and seven assists in the Charge's win over Greensboro Wednesday night.

The Cavs only have 13 healthy players (Felder is one), so his rejoining the team is no surprise. He's only played in 14 of Cleveland's 30 games, so these occasional trips to Canton (one can safely assume more are coming) are meant to get him more work.

Felder is averaging 4.9 points for the Cavs.

Most Cleveland Browns fans found themselves surprisingly emotional after their team finally won a game.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- "I'm just so happy they finally won."

That's what I kept hearing for a few days after the Cleveland Browns beat the San Diego Chargers, 20-17, on Christmas Eve.

I confess to being surprised by my own reaction. I enjoyed writing about the victory far more than I ever imagined.

I wondered what fans were feeling about the game, and I asked for some reactions on my social media accounts.

THEY STILL CARE

Deb Hogan (Louisville, Ohio) wrote: "I tried to walk away. I told myself I didn't care. We had Christmas Eve party plans and needed to get ready.

"But my husband, my 19-year-old twins and myself sat GLUED to the game until the end. We could not NOT watch. And we cheered like crazy.

"My daughter later tweeted out about how she and her family screamed as loud for this win as we did for the Cavs Championship! Why? Because we are Browns fans for life."

Deb, the Browns should send fans like you and your family personal thank you notes each season.

IN THE BLOOD

Lee Patouhas (Willowick) wrote: "I watched the entire game like I watched or listened to every other game this year. The Browns are in the blood, man. I remember not having a team, so I watch them no matter what.

"When they won the game, I jumped around like we'd won a playoff game or something. Sad, I know. But I couldn't stand being only the second team in NFL history not to win a game."

Many fans had a reaction like Lee ... they didn't want their team to match the 2008 Detroit Lions, who were 0-16. Lee mentioned his order of teams in terms of interest: Browns, Tribe, Cavs.

He then talked about the upcoming draft, having salary cap money for free agents, etc. I received that reaction from other fans, winning a single game made it so much easier to think about 2017.

DON'T BE FOOLED

Jim Verde wrote: "This team is so void of talent ... Cam Erving is a bust ... Is Justin Gilbert still on the roster? Sorry, I can't restrain myself."

Verde knows Gilbert is gone. He's played only 12 snaps for the Steelers this season.

Bruce Cuthbertson (Columbus) wrote: "I was obviously glad they won a game, but I didn't run into the street celebrating. In the overall scheme of things, nothing changed. The team is still full of holes. Will the talent on hand improve? Will the draft be a good one? I stopped thinking about the win by Sunday night."

PACKER FANS JOIN IN

John & Lara Antolik (Chesterfield, Mo.) were visiting their in-laws in Appleton, Wisconsin. They phoned a bar called Holidays to see if they could watch the Browns game there.

The manager said, "Sure."

When they arrived, all the TVs featured the Packers, except one in the corner with the Browns game on. John and Lara were yelling in the fourth quarter.

"The whole bar looked at us when we cheered loudly after Jamie Meder (blocked a field goal)," they wrote. "With the Packers game over, other fans cheered with us on San Diego's final drive, begging for a sack."

When San Diego missed the final field goal, "We all cheered and gave High-5s," they wrote. "Those fans were excited for us."

AT THE GAME

Andy Fife wrote: "On Christmas Eve, I decided to take all my kids to the game -- ages 4-12. I've never been able to get them interested in the Browns because they always lose. Since tickets were so cheap, I figured, 'What the heck, even if they don't like it we won't spend a lot of money.' Seeing my kids bark was a great feeling!"

Alex Suciu wrote that the win over San Diego was the first time he ever attended a Browns game: "The feeling was like no other. Everyone was jumping, screaming, hugging. It was a fantastic atmosphere."

Jeffrey Rickbrodt wrote how his youngest son bought four tickets to the game for $8 each. Jeffrey went with his two sons and mother-in-law. They sat in the end zone with several Chargers fans.

"When Jamie Meder blocked that kick, the stadium went crazy," he wrote. "On the last drive, I thought, 'Well, at least the game was entertaining.'"

I had the same thoughts as Jeffrey. The Chargers were going to kick the field goal to tie the game and then win in overtime. But they missed the kick.

"That was the loudest I ever heard FirstEnergy Stadium," he wrote. "This year has been an embarrassment but I got to experience one of the few highlights of the season."

CAN'T EXPLAIN THE EMOTIONS

Aaron Dinger wrote: "I cried, but I'm emotional. It was such as relief ... 0-16 is such a joke, even the Browns couldn't accomplish it.

Sal Vatore wrote: "I felt choked up. I don't know why. Makes no sense."

Ted Rouge wrote: "It's been a long time since I was that excited at the end of a Browns game. I was pacing and screaming at the TV during the last few minutes."

Steve Gerlich (Fishers, Indiana) wrote: "I watched the entire game thinking I didn't care one way or the other. When (San Diego's) field goal went wide right, I was jumping up and down like the Browns had just won a playoff game."

Robin Stanley Reese wrote: "I got very choked up watching Joe Thomas cry in celebration with Coach (Hue Jackson)."

John Peter (Grove City, Ohio) wrote: "My 17-year-old son and I listened to the final minute in the car in a Kroger parking lot. When the field goal was missed we both jumped out of the car and Bear-hugged each other, yelling and jumping. Got quite a few strange looks."

Jerry Abbadini (Independence, Ohio) wrote: "I missed the second half due to early Christmas Eve mass. But at the end of mass, Father had one final announcement: 'THEY WON!' The church erupted in spontaneous cheering."

WHAT ABOUT THE DRAFT?

Heading into the final week of the season, the Browns are 1-14. San Francisco is 2-13. The team with the worst record receives the No. 1 draft pick. If the Browns and 49ers have the same record, it goes to the 49ers ... a complicated formula.

Cal Carlisle (Shaker Heights) wrote: "For the first time in years, I found myself rooting against my team. I felt the impact of having the first pick was greater than not going 0-16. I was not happy when the (final field goal attempt) went wide, but happy for Coach Jackson. I believe he's the best coach we've had since Butch Davis ... Now, I'm faced with rooting for ... gulp ... the Steelers. It might be easier to cheer on the 49ers."

Greg Abbate wrote: "I'm glad they won't be 0-16, but they need to lose the next game to get the #1 pick ... Picking right or wrong will speak volumes about the current regime..."

SPORTS AT ITS BEST

Chad Price (Columbus) wrote a long email about having season tickets and not being able to convince anyone to go to the game with him. But he found some friends, "not the ones who want us to go 0-16 and have a silly parade. Most just wanted a win ... like me!"

After the game, Price talked about "floating" across the West 3rd Street bridge, chanting "Here We Go Brownies" with strangers. He had tears in his eyes.

Jim Breck (Medina) wrote: "My mother was hospitalized at Akron City Hospital Christmas Eve during the Browns-Chargers game. I was trying to be attentive to her needs in her room during the game. It was difficult thinking the Browns were going to blow it once more.

"But when the Chargers missed their field goal attempt the hospital floor erupted with cheers. I left the room and standing there in his hospital gown was a middle aged man with his IV stand with one arm in the air saying "man I love my Browns."

The NBA rescinded the technical foul assessed to Richard Jefferson Sunday in the Cavs' 109-108 win over the Golden State Warriors. He was T'd up for winking at Kevin Durant after dunking on him.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- The NBA rescinded the technical foul assessed to Richard Jefferson Sunday in the Cavs' 109-108 win over the Golden State Warriors.

Jefferson, 36, dunked over Kevin Durant with 9:21 left in the fourth quarter. After the play, Jefferson turned toward Durant, winked, and smiled. And was T'd up for it.

As LeBron James predicted, the league took away the technical -- Jefferson didn't say anything to Durant or make a menacing move toward him (unless you count the dunk) -- so there wasn't much reason for the whistle.

By rescinding the technical, the NBA is saving Jefferson from a $2,000 fine. He still has two technicals to his name, both earned Dec. 21 at home against Milwaukee when he was tossed (automatically) for the two Ts in the fourth quarter of that win.

Durant wanted a foul on Jefferson

Upon leaving the game against the Bucks, Jefferson tossed his jersey into the stands.

The Cavs play Boston tonight at 8.

Although we didn't get a Cubs versus Red Sox match-up for the World Series, both teams are arguably ranked at No. 1 and No. 2 heading into the 2017 season.

It was a great year for baseball comeback stories. The Chicago Cubs broke the Curse of the Billy Goat and won the World Series for the first time in 108 years. The Boston Red Sox also had a strong year -- including the retiring of a legend, the promise of a rising star and capturing the AL East. But which squad is the MLB team of the year?

PERSPECTIVES

Although we didn't get a Cubs versus Red Sox match-up for the World Series, both teams are arguably ranked at No. 1 and No. 2 heading into the 2017 season. But which team is really this year's best?

The Cubs won the World Series! The Cubs won the World Series! The Cubs won the World Series! Do we really need to say anything more? The team had to be the best in order to break an 108-year-old curse. And they did just that. 

Take a look at Chicago's stats.

thetylt.com 

But let's not sleep on the Red Sox. ESPN ranks the team at No. 2 heading into the 2017 season. And some fans argue the team has the best lineup to win big in 2017.

But let's talk the Red Sox's accomplishments in 2016:

1. David Ortiz retired after 19 years being to much fanfare and celebration (and possibly the Hall of Fame).
2. Rick Porcello won the AL Cy Young award. 
3. The team saw young talent emerge like Mookie Betts. 
4. Boston also won the AL East ... but didn't make it to the World Series like many hoped. 

The Red Sox had a roller coaster of a year, but the fans stuck with 'em and many still believe the Red Sox were the best team in 2016. And that seems to be the case moving into 2017.

Take a look at Boston's stats.

thetylt.com 

The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Digital, Inc. property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say.

Ohio State H-back Curtis Samuel, former Cleveland Browns coach Sam Rutigliano, singer Barbra Streisand and others have come out of Brooklyn's Erasmus Hall.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Given Curtis Samuel's roots, specifically his stroll past the statue of Desiderius Erasmus every day at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., the Ohio State junior's greatest plays could have begun there.

"There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other."

The school's namesake, Erasmus, a Dutch humanist during the Protestant Reformation, said that.

Samuel, the Buckeyes' H-back, runs as if every Saturday were a fantasy game come to life.

Stretching the dream

"It's the generally accepted privilege of theologians to stretch the heavens, that is the Scriptures, like tanners with a hide."

Erasmus also said that.

On Ohio State's first overtime touchdown in the epic double-overtime victory over Michigan, when quarterback J.T. Barrett looked to his right, where Samuel was running a pass route, Michigan's defensive linemen and linebackers followed the decoy, leaving an unobstructed scoring run for Barrett.

Later, Samuel distorted the defense by changing directions three times, gaining 8 yards on third-and-9 in the second overtime when he could've lost 10 and the game. The tanners would have needed a cattle stampede to get enough skins for a makeshift tarp.

Two plays later, Samuel raced 15 yards untouched into the end zone, winning the game for Ohio State, 30-27.

He went flying across the goal line on the lift of sheer euphoria and then spread his arms to bask in the strains of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline". The run clinched the Buckeyes' spot in the College Football Playoff. Ohio State meets Clemson in the national semifinals New Year's Eve Night.

Neil Diamond, of course, went to Erasmus Hall.

A legacy of greatness

This season, Samuel scored 15 touchdowns and is the only FBS player with at least 700 yards rushing (704, a 7.7 average) and receiving (822).

Samuel's peak moment against Michigan was like Beverly Sills singing an aria at the Metropolitan Opera; Barbra Streisand singing about people who need people; Billy Cunningham throwing down a slam dunk; Bobby Fischer check-mating a Soviet chess master; or former Browns coach Sam Rutigliano quipping, "Only a guy from Brooklyn could zig-zag the way Curtis Samuel did. They've run for their lives a lot."

All went to Erasmus Hall.

Famous in their time

Asked if he knew who Streisand was, Samuel said of the 1959 graduate, "No."

"Our coach tried to tell us who went before us, but you're young, and you don't pay attention to nothing the coach says," said Samuel.

Asked if he knew who Rutigliano was, Samuel said to his Cleveland questioner, "I do after you told me. He coached the Browns."

A star incubator in football

Rutigliano, who, to be fair, did not know Samuel went to his old high school until he was told, was friendly with fellow Erasmus Hall grad Al Davis, the late Oakland Raiders' owner. Samuel's broken-field run sort of followed Davis' philosophy of football:

"Fortune favors the audacious."

That was Erasmus' M.O. for life, too.

"When I was there," said Rutigliano, a 1947 graduate, "there were so many people I could follow who had gone to Erasmus Hall or were from Brooklyn. People like Sid Luckman (of Erasmus Hall and the Chicago Bears), Joe Paterno (Brooklyn Prep) and Vince Lombardi (from St. Cecilia's)."

The Sid Luckman Field Express

Samuel has straight-line speed to go with elusiveness, running a sub-4.4 40. He went 74 yards, untouched, to score against Penn State in less time than it takes a Nittany Lion to meow.

Sid Luckman Field, where Erasmus Hall practices and plays its games, is located beneath the F-train's elevated stop. The trains thunder and rattle past every five minutes. The team took public buses and the F-train from school to the field.

Ohio State got Samuel 156 touches from scrimmage in 12 games (91 rushes, 65 catches), or a little more than one every five minutes. More might make him a Heisman Trophy winner if he returns for his senior season.

"Dodgertown" in central Ohio

Brooklyn is now a basketball hotbed, instead of football and before that baseball.

In 1896, the Brooklyn Dodgers were called the "Trolley Dodgers," because of the need to avoid the streetcars that posed such threats to foot traffic.

"I don't go fast in my hometown. I walk," said Samuel, contradicting Rutigliano's theory.

It's the only thing pedestrian about the shifty, swerving Samuel, for whom the endangered species are Lions, Tigers and Wolverines, oh my!

"The summit of happiness is reached when a person is ready to be what he is."

Samuel won't discuss his plans. But, sadly for Ohio State fans, he is probably ready to be an NFL player soon.

Robert Griffin III will have one more chance to state his case for being the Browns QB of the future.

BEREA, Ohio - Robert Griffin III will have one more chance to prove to the Browns that he deserves to be their quarterback of the future.

Barring any setbacks, Griffin will start Sunday's season finale in Pittsburgh, coach Hue Jackson said.

He's been cleared from the concussion protocol and returned to practice Thursday. He showed no ill effects from the concussion suffered late in Sunday's 20-17 victory over the Chargers.

Furthermore, he just might have a chance to win his second straight game, which is a double-edged sword. The Steelers, who clinched the AFC North Sunday with a come-from-behind victory over the Ravens, are resting stars such as Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell.

If the Browns win and the 49ers lose to the Seahawks to tie at 2-14, the Browns will lose the No. 1 overall pick in the draft on tiebreakers.

"I don't think anybody in this locker room is thinking about that,'' said Griffin. "Right now, we're blessed with an opportunity to go out and play a game on Sunday. That's all we have. After that, no one knows what is going to happen.''

For Griffin, it's all about proving he can function well from the pocket, hitting the open man on time and on the money, and scoring touchdowns. He has yet to throw his first TD pass in four starts (1-3).

"Just have to keep making that jump,'' said Jackson. "We went from not scoring very many points to scoring 17 and had a good start. We scored on three of the first four or five possessions, before the half. That's a sign of improvement. We need to do that and do a little bit more.

"We made some third downs early in the game that I thought were huge. Made some plays throwing the ball and with his feet. We have to continue to grow that way. We can keep building on those things. I think that will show more improvement."

Terrelle Pryor knows it could be his last game with the Browns: 'It's got to make sense for both sides'

Jackson is hoping that Griffin's five starts will be enough to decide if Griffin will be back next season in any capacity -- as a possible starter or backup. The other option is to release him, given that his $6 million salary next year isn't guaranteed.

"I have a pretty good feel for our quarterbacks and who they are and what they are,'' said Jackson. "That's why I want to see as much as I can over this last game so that we can make the right decision for our organization. When it's all said and done, I'll be able to sit back and evaluate what we are and what we could be and make a determination from there."

#Browns RG3 likely to start vs. #Steelers after returning to practice from concussion. pic.twitter.com/rvdpqaHop6

— Dave Andersen (@CLEvideos) December 29, 2016

Jackson stressed that Griffin starting isn't an indictment of rookie Cody Kessler and his future with the club.

"No, not at all,'' he said. "Cody is still a young player who's learning in the National Football League. He's done some good things and has grown. He'll continue to grow. I don't think me playing Robert or however this unfolds this weekend is any indication of what he has done or hasn't done. The more I can see of Robert - I have seen quite a bit of Cody - the better evaluation I can make of him."

But Griffin isn't thinking about next year. He's zeroed in on beating the Steelers and going out on a high note.

"I'm not focused on any of those things,'' he said. "You have to focus small and let the big things fall into place. Right now, focusing small is making sure we're doing everything we need to do in situational football, that I can get us in the right plays, make sure guys know what they are supposed to do and we can go out and ball out."

Griffin has appreciated votes of confidence from associate head coach Pep Hamilton and left tackle Joe Thomas, who have both said he can be the Browns' quarterback of the future.

"It's very humbling,'' he said. "You come from a situation like I have in my career where it wasn't always that way for whatever reason. To have that support from a (Pro Football) Hall of Famer and from a coach in Pep, who I think is one of the best in the league, it means a lot to me.

"I'm grateful to be on the same team as Joe Thomas and to have Pep on my side and in my corner because Pep has helped me grow a lot, and obviously, Joe has blocked extremely well for me when I have been in there. I am happy and I want to be successful for those guys."

Griffin acknowledged it's been tough to step back in after 11 games out with a fractured left shoulder.

"But you have to be strong-willed and strong-minded to overcome that rust and to overcome missing throws early in that start,'' said Griffin. "I'm really thankful to my team for rallying behind me and sticking with me. From each start, I've played better, been more in rhythm and started to make plays the way that people are used to seeing me make plays. I'm looking forward to bringing that into this week against Pittsburgh, as well.''

Griffin, who will likely have a new center in Anthony Fabiano, new right guard in Austin Pasztor and new right tackle in Cam Erving, must develop more chemistry with his top receivers such as Corey Coleman and Terrelle Pryor, who's caught only eight passes on limited targets for 58 yards since Griffin has been back. In his four starts, he's put up 10 points twice, 13 points and 17 points.

"It's about doing what it takes to win the game,'' he said. "Last week, Crow (Isaiah Crowell) ran in two beautiful touchdowns, jumped into the crowd and we were all cheering with him. We won the game. I'm not really a stats guy. I'm not worried about that. We want to throw touchdown passes and our receivers want to catch touchdown passes, and we'll continue to work at that. We are ready to do whatever it takes."

And when all is said and done, the Browns will have a good idea if the RG3 experiment is over or lives on.

"It wasn't anything bad about Ohio State. I let Urban Meyer know that, 'Hey, I'm locked in on Clemson. That's where I want to go, where I want to be.' And he respected that. And we both went on about our business." Watch video

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The things we do for the people we love. 

Urban Meyer risked it all while trying to recruit Deshaun Watson to Ohio State. He put everything on the line to prove that Watson was his quarterback, that he couldn't picture a future at Ohio State without him. 

Meyer offered Watson a scholarship in July of 2012 and waited almost a year before offering any other quarterbacks in the 2014 class. That's a big deal. 

Watson, talking about it now as a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist and starting quarterback for Clemson, realized what Meyer was doing at the time. And he appreciates it. 

"I had a lot of schools do that, too," Watson told cleveland.com. "Clemson was a school who did that. Ohio State, Auburn, there were a lot of different schools who offered that deal, to not offer other quarterbacks and to go to all-in on me.

"It wasn't anything bad about Ohio State. I let Urban Meyer know that, 'Hey, I'm locked in on Clemson. That's where I want to go, where I want to be.' And he respected that. And we both went on about our business." 

A great coach and a great quarterback. It's no surprise they'll face off on New Year's Eve in the College Football Playoff in the Fiesta Bowl. Greatness meets. 

But Meyer had a hard time moving on about his business in the 2014 recruiting class once he lost out on Watson. By the time Ohio State got around to offering other elite quarterbacks in the 2014 class -- Kyle Allen, Jerrod Heard, Brandon Harris and Zach Darlington -- it was too late to build the relationships to earn a commitment. 

Ohio State ended up with Stephen Collier, a solid program player, but never really a factor in the quarterback competition.

It worked out for Ohio State because J.T. Barrett, who came to the Buckeyes in the 2013 class, has become one of the best winners in program history. But for Watson, Meyer took a gamble -- and lost -- in the 2014 recruiting class. 

Three years later, Watson knows it. 

"It's a big honor," Watson said. "It's a privilege to have the opportunity and just be recognized that way and feel that love and that impact on a great, big program, especially like Ohio State or Clemson or Auburn. 

"Those teams are competing for national championships, teams that can go out and get anybody they want. And they offered me that, which is pretty big." 

Ohio State right tackle Isaiah Prince talked about his blocking struggles ahead of a College Football Playoff semifinal against Clemson.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Isaiah Prince sat low in a chair inside a massive ballroom in Arizona, surrounded by his Ohio State teammates with head phones resting on his head.

If he seemed distracted or even slightly annoyed, it's because answering questions about why you've been struggling isn't easy. And those questions tend to get repetitive, because there are only so many ways to ask: "Why aren't you playing well?"

So give the sophomore right tackle credit for facing the scrutiny in his first time speaking with the media since Ohio State's win over Michigan. Now we'll watch like everyone to see if Prince has moved past his pass blocking struggles with a test against an aggressive Clemson defense in the College Football Playoff.

"I didn't play good against Michigan," Prince said. "There's a lot of motivation to come back, get better and prove everybody wrong."

He's been a large topic of conversation since that Michigan game, when Ohio State allowed eight sacks and Prince had struggles reminiscent of the loss at Penn State. Teammates talked about limiting his access to social media, coaches talked about getting him re-focused heading into bowl prep.

He had to find a way to avoid the noise around him while simultaneously figuring out a way to fix his problems before playing a team that's No. 2 in the country in sacks.

"My footwork and my punch," Prince listed as the two things he's been working on this month. "There were a couple games where I missed my punch, just correcting the little mistakes."

How will Prince do against Clemson's Christian Wilkins?

If you watch Prince against Michigan, there are times where it looks like his first step is just a touch slower than the guy he's trying to block. Or at the point of contact, Prince isn't the one getting the first push. He's on his heels, and getting pushed backwards.

Prince is also 6-foot-7, and sometimes when he stands too high he gets knocked off-balance.

There isn't a player or coach on the roster who doesn't think Prince is talented enough to handle his position on an island on the right side of Ohio State's offensive line. It's not about talent. It's about focus and instincts.

Get Prince thinking less, reacting more and having confidence in his abilities and perhaps he'll be OK against Clemson.

"It's the confidence level, they see they're a first-year starter and wonder if they're as good as that other guy. Sure you are. You're starting at Ohio State," Buckeyes offensive line coach Greg Studrawa said. "When they play with confidence they play with better technique and they're not panicking."

Prince has games he looks back on as examples of what he looks like at his best. He allowed one pressure in 78 combined pass-blocking snaps in back-to-back games against Northwestern and Nebraska, according to cfbfilmroom.com.

Those aren't great quarterback pressure teams, but they're about middle of the pack in the country and Prince bounced back from a bad Penn State game with a couple of strong performances.

It came apart again against Michigan, and Ohio State is trying to put it back together.

"We focused on the fundamental technique things," Studrawa said. "When it gets crazy like that, big game, you have to calm down and remember your fundamentals. That's what I tried to get him to do. He panicked a little bit in those situations. We gotta bring him back, calm down, do what you're coached to do."

"He can make some throws not a lot of NFL players can even make," linebacker Chris Worley said. "I'd be doing him wrong if I said he makes throws college players can't make, when honestly he makes throws that NFL players can't make." Watch video

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Dwayne Haskins moves like the starting quarterback of a team two wins away from a national title. 

When he walked -- no, slowly moved -- into the conference room at the Camelback Inn for Fiesta Bowl media day on Thursday, he had his head held high and a smirk on his face like the world hasn't seen greatness yet. 

That wasn't unique to Thursday. That's how Haskins always is.

So cocky. 

"Low key," Haskins smiled. "Low key." 

There's nothing low key about it, Dwayne. 

This was 12 hours after he posted a picture of himself at practice on his Twitter account with the caption: "The future King like Simba." There's no question that he has a clear vision for what his next three years are going to resemble. Royalty. 

Though he's sitting behind J.T. Barrett as Ohio State prepares for its College Football Playoff semifinal against Clemson, Haskins saw the banner for Barrett hanging the conference room and thinks it's only a matter of time until he has one. 

Meet Bryson Spinner, the man responsible for Haskins' growth

You're not going to see Haskins for a single play in the Fiesta Bowl, but he has a fingerprint on this team. He has been playing Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson on the scout team, which is all he can do as a true freshman waiting behind a veteran for his time. 

That time could be next year if Barrett leaves. If he returns? 

"I'll just have to compete with him," Haskins told cleveland.com. "I don't know what he's going to do, but whatever he does, I know it's going to be the best for him though. ... I (think about it) a little bit, but I just have a feeling he's going to leave. We'll see what happens." 

A former four-star prospect from Potomac, Md., Haskins was originally committed to Maryland. If he wanted to simply start as a freshman, he could have become a Terrapin. He took the harder path. 

But this is the path that will lead to to being "The King" like Simba, the prince lion depicted in the movie "Lion King." You want to know the real reason he thinks his nickname is Simba? 

"I had a big afro when I was a kid," he joked. 

But it has become persona. It's what drives him. 

The future King like Simba #Shhhh #TicToc[?] [?][?] pic.twitter.com/mRhBptIPEQ

-- Dwayne Haskins, Jr. (@dh_simba7) December 29, 2016

And while he's in an atmosphere like this, Haskins revels in the idea that he came to the right place to be the king of college football. Maybe he'll be like Barrett, or maybe he'll be even more famous.

Maybe Haskins is Ohio State's Deshaun Watson. 

"I have watched Deshaun since high school," Haskins said. "I've gone to camps with him, he was my counselor at Elite 11 at the regionals and when I was at The Opening. Just being able to watch him grow as a freshman until now, his game has really taking strides. 

"I look up to him a lot and I try to model myself after him. It was fun to have the opportunity to be him during bowl prep." 

Every young player on Ohio State's roster thinks they're good, that they're going to the NFL. But it's during the last month, during bowl prep, that Haskins has shown all of his teammates that this cockiness is appropriate. 

It's not a negative to be cocky.

It's a necessity for an Ohio State quarterback. 

Ohio State backup quarterback Dwayne Haskins visiting with ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit at the Buckeyes Fiesta Bowl media day. Ari Wasserman, cleveland.com 

As Haskins was mimicking Watson -- while secretly picturing what actually being Watson is like -- he was dropping dimes all over the field.

"He puts the ball in windows and I can't understand how he does it," said freshman receiver Binjimen Victor, who runs with Haskins on the scout team. "It doesn't matter what route I'm running, the ball just arrives in the perfect spot every time." 

Haskins was helping Ohio State's scout offense score touchdowns against a defense that seldomly allows other teams to score. 

"He can make some throws not a lot of NFL players can even make," linebacker Chris Worley said. "I'd be doing him wrong if I said he makes throws college players can't make, when honestly he makes throws that NFL players can't make.

"When we're rotating and you have a chance to actually watch the whole field on defense, when we're doing scout team and he's helping us out, you see him make some throws and you just squint like, 'Did he just do that?' "

This shouldn't be a surprise. 

When Haskins came to Ohio State as part of the 2016 class, Urban Meyer said that he was the most physically and mentally advanced quarterback he's seen at that age. He was mature, he was polished. 

Haskins took a step back at the beginning of the year when he didn't earn the backup quarterback spot, beaten by Joe Burrow. Everything's different now.

"I saw 'it' when we recruited him," Meyer said. "I went and watched him work out, and it was one of the best workouts I've ever seen a player of that age. I was really disappointed with him once he didn't take the backup spot -- Joe beat him out -- and then I saw him do this (downward hand motion) like a lot of freshman do.

"But the last month in a half, he's been outstanding. He's got the fight back."

Maybe Haskins' journey to greatness is more like Simba's than you think. 

He sounds like a young lion, one who wrestled with his father, got roughed up a little bit, pouted, then returned to take his reign. 

Haskins has a lot to overcome still. Barrett has to leave next year and he'd have to win a hypothetical battle with Burrow to be the Buckeyes starter. 

But in his head, there's only one reality. 

Haskins is King. 

A Clemson defender said earlier this week that J.T. Barrett was not among the best quarterbacks the Tigers have faced.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The lead up to the Fiesta Bowl between Ohio State and Clemson is starting to feel a little bit like a soap opera.

A Clemson defender said something not so flattering about Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett. Then Barrett's teammates came to his defense, while some Clemson players downplayed the original comment. Thursday was Barrett's turn to respond.

Asked what he thought about Clemson safety Jadar Johnson saying he was not an impressive thrower, and that he wasn't among the best quarterbacks the Tigers have faced, here's what Barrett said:

"So I really wasn't - there wasn't a lot to it, I feel like," Barrett said at Fiesta Bowl media day. "He has his own opinion, which I'm not mad at. I'm comfortable in my skills and what I'm able to do. If he feels like I'm not the best quarterback they went against, I mean, that's just how he feels. I don't have a feeling towards that one way or the other.

"I mean, I'm OK, really. Like, it wasn't I feel like a lot to talk about. I saw what he said. There's probably some people that feel like that in the media, which is cool, too. They have the right to their own opinion. It's not for me to fight my stance. I know how I feel about myself, comfortable in my skills and the guys we have on our offense and our team.

"There's probably some people that feel like that in the media, which is cool, too. They have the right to their own opinion. It's not for me to fight my stance. I know how I feel about myself, comfortable in my skills and the guys we have on our offense and our team. So that's how it is."

Barrett teammates echoed those same sentiments, and that's probably the end of it.

"It's not like we're going to hang it up on the game-day bulletin board and this is what this guy said - like, we're OK. We're good. You know what I'm saying? We're good," Barrett said.

Except...

"Somebody in the past says something about our defense, and we saw how that went. That's how we feel about that," Barrett said. "We're OK. If you want to talk, that's OK. We still have to go play the game. That's what I feel like."

Barrett was referencing the Oklahoma game, when a Sooners backup quarterback labeled the Buckeyes' defense as "basic."

Ohio State's defenders said they didn't think anything of it, then they celebrated on the field after the game holding up signs that said "basic defense."

Just don't expect Barrett to run around on the field should Ohio State win the Fiesta Bowl with a sign that reads: "We've definitely faced quarterbacks better than him."

Doesn't have the same ring to it.