Being a Browns fan means there will be games like this. Games that leave your throat aching, your voice a rasp and your heart pounding until it aches.
View full sizeMuch as Browns defensive back Mike Adams experienced on this play, the Browns' grip on a stunning, season-changing victory over the Mark Sanchez-led New York Jets proved just tantalizingly out of their grasp.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If you're a Browns fan, you should be used to games like this 26-20 loss in overtime to the New York Jets.
But it hurts. Oh, does it ever hurt.
It hurts because the Browns had a chance to win this game. If only Chansi Stuckey had not fumbled on the Jets' 32 early in the overtime period.
It hurts because Mark Sanchez threw the game winning-pass to Santonio Holmes, who bolted 37 yards between Eric Wright and T.J. Ward. At least one of those defensive backs should have been able to tackle him -- instead, they seemed to hesitate for a moment, looking at each other to see who would make the play.
It hurts because rookie Colt McCoy seems to be answering the quarterback question that has been hanging over this franchise since the return in 1999. This could have been a signature game for the rookie from Texas.
It hurts because the Browns had dominated in the two previous games, beating Super Bowl contenders New Orleans and New York. Suddenly fans were wearing their old Browns jackets, shirts and caps, so close to falling in love with this team.
It hurts because the Browns are oh-so-painfully close to being relevant again. This could have been their third victory in a row, all against the NFL's premiere teams.
It hurts because even though the Browns were being physically overpowered for much of the game, they were staying close, hanging together as a team. At a few key moments, they seemed to have Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez sacked, only he would shake off a tackle and complete a pass for a first down.
It hurts because now that running back Peyton Hillis has emerged as a star and McCoy is proving to be an effective quarterback, it's possible to like this team and pull for these guys.
Then again, being a Browns fan means there will be games like this. Games that leave your throat aching, your voice a rasp and your heart pounding until it aches.
Being a Browns fan means taking some hope from how the team took over on its own 41 with 2:42 left in the game, the Jets in front, 20-13. At this point, the Browns had only 15 yards of second-half offense. They had three possessions of 3-and-out. The offense looked finished. But in the huddle, McCoy told his teammates, "We're going to go down the field and score, and then we're going to win it in overtime."
Strong words from a 24-year-old quarterback in his fourth start. But he said it in a calm, firm and confident voice with that Texas twang -- as if he had done this before.
Then McCoy took the team down the field, covering 59 yards in 10 plays, zipping a touchdown pass to Mohamed Massaquoi with 44 seconds in regulation. It was the first time in 10 games that the Browns scored a touchdown in the final two minutes of regulation.
Maybe, just maybe, the Browns do have a winner at quarterback, who showed it even in this loss. Just as was the case in the victories over New Orleans and New England, this looked like a different Browns team.
Just as was the case in the victories over New Orleans and New England, this looked like a team capable of overcoming injuries to starters Sheldon Brown, Scott Fujita, and Josh Cribbs.
Despite the final score...
Despite Stuckey's fumble that cost the Browns a chance at a game-winning field goal...
Despite defensive back Abe Elam dropping what should have been an interception that would have prevented a Jets' field goal...
Despite a temptation to second-guess them for not running out the clock late in the overtime in the shadows of their own goal posts and settling for a tie...
Despite all the missed chances...
The Browns have become watchable and worthy of your cheers once again, despite their 3-6 record.