Steve Brownlee

By STEVE BROWNLEE

Journal Sports Editor

Maybe I’m a little late to the party, but I got thinking about the Cleveland Browns quarterback situation last week and into this week.

Specifically, some of the pundits like Mike Greenberg of ESPN were flabbergasted that Shedeur Sanders was left as the No. 3 QB after 40-year-old Joe Flacco was demoted and is no longer the starter.

Most thought the Browns were all but done with the aging veteran so that their two rookie signal callers — there’s also third-round draft pick Dillon Gabriel to go with the fifth-rounder Sanders — would move up into starting No. 1 and top backup No. 2 positions.

That seems to make sense on the surface — if Flacco couldn’t at least bring stability at QB, why have a guy who’s older than just about every other quarterback in the league, except ex-Packer and now Steelers starter Aaron Rodgers, captain the offense?

But once I started thinking about what making Sanders the No. 2 guy would mean for him and the team, it made more sense to me to keep him at No. 3.

Of course, this may have all become a moot point — no, Joey Tribbiani of “Friends” fame, not a moo point! — once Flacco was traded away to the rival Bengals on Tuesday.

But while Flacco was still in town for about two weeks after being ousted as starter, it would’ve been terrible to move Sanders in as top backup immediately.

Why? He would’ve been horribly underprepared as a rookie in the NFL. Maybe by this week, though it seems rather soon, he could be somewhat prepared to come into a game.

Here’s where the Browns were at — new starter Dillon Gabriel had been the No. 2 guy prior to his elevation as starter, meaning he was getting some preparation for coming into games if Flacco got injured or was faring quite poorly.

Sanders was stuck at No. 3. When there’s three QBs on the roster, someone has to be No. 3, and it was Sanders.

Right up to the time it was announced Gabriel would become starter, Sanders was still No. 3, meaning he was probably getting virtually no prep for coming into games, either mentally or physically.

Suddenly, if he becomes No. 2, he’s one Micah Parsons hit away from being the team’s starter.

That sounds like a travesty to me.

Now, maybe one week doesn’t sound like much time to prepare as a NFL team’s QB, but at least there was probably some thought of getting Sanders ready to become backup once Flacco was out of there.

But getting ready to become backup isn’t the same as being the backup.

I would’ve given it two or three weeks, not just one, to elevate Sanders, but I can see where the Browns were ready to break this logjam at the position.

Since then, I’ve heard that Bailey Zappe, a former New England QB who has been on Cleveland’s practice squad, might be moved into No. 2. If that’s a bridge to getting Sanders an extra week or two to get ready, then I’m all for it.

Now onto doing some picking of this upset-minded NFL (just check my record for last week at the end of this):

Today, 8:15 p.m.

Philadelphia at New York Giants — Maybe last week’s loss to the Broncos is the wakeup call the Eagles needed, as there were just too many people saying that it was OK that Philly was just about the worst offense in general and passing offense in particular, since they’d won something like 19 of their last 20 games.

Now maybe they’ll actually play BOTH phases of offense, running and throwing. Eagles, 31-21.

Sunday, 9:30 a.m.

Denver vs. New York Jets — This game in London shouldn’t be as entertaining as last week’s, the Vikings vs. Browns, since the Jets are one of the few teams we can depend on to lay a dud every time out. Broncos, 33-20.

Sunday, 1 p.m.

New England at New Orleans — I get the feeling reverse momentum is going to play into a lot of games this week, the idea that a team getting an unexpected win will get fat and happy and not have the needed killer instinct the following week.

Both teams got unexpected wins last week, so I’ll take the team I really think is better. Patriots, 26-23.

Los Angeles Chargers at Miami — The wounded — or at least seriously injured — Chargers need a win over a team they’re supposed to beat to keep pace in the AFC West. Chargers, 24-19.

Cleveland at Pittsburgh — These teams don’t feel like they should be significantly separated in the standings, but Pittsburgh is 3-1 and Cleveland 1-4. I’m going to take a flyer on the 41-year-old Rodgers getting sacked over and over again by Myles Garrett & Co. and take the Browns, 23-16.

Arizona at Indianapolis — The bubble may burst for Indy eventually, but not against the Cardinals and especially not at home. Colts, 30-24.

Dallas at Carolina — Though these teams are separated by a half-game in the standings, Dallas seems leaps and bounds better — even with their crappy defense. Cowboys, 35-32.

Seattle at Jacksonville — Here’s where my reverse momentum gets put to the test. Did the Jaguars overachieve on Monday night, or are they really a field goal better than KC? I’ll take the overachiever mentality. Seahawks, 28-24.

Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore — Until further notice, like when QB Lamar Jackson is cleared to play again, I’m off the Ravens’ bandwagon. Rams, 34-27.

Sunday, 4 p.m.

Tennessee at Las Vegas — Is Tennessee ready to break out of its slumber, led by overall No. 1 draft pick and QB Cam Ward, or go back to sleep?

Hmm, let me put it this way, I like the Titans better if they play bad than I like the Raiders if Tennessee plays good, er, well. Titans, 23-17.

Cincinnati at Green Bay — Hmm, Flacco is the conquering hero for the Bengals? Don’t think so. Packers, 33-22.

San Francisco at Tampa Bay — A couple teams coming off surprise wins, the 49ers over the Rams (last Thursday) and Bucs going to the Pacific Northwest and knocking off Seattle. I like Tampa’s grit in the Florida heat. Buccaneers, 24-20.

Sunday, 8:25 p.m.

Detroit at Kansas City — Well, the Chiefs are certainly the more desperate team. But isn’t that of their own making? I’ll take the offensive juggernaut. Lions, 31-26.

Monday, 7:15 p.m.

Buffalo at Atlanta — The Bills ought to be angry, Josh Allen sounded like he was after Buffalo lost at home to New England on Sunday night. Good enough for me. Bills, 29-27.

Monday, 8:15 p.m.

Chicago at Washington — Since they couldn’t get Detroit and Kansas City on Monday night, ABC and ESPN must’ve figured that having two games gives them a good chance to get one decent game out of it. Not sure this will be the one with Washington getting healthier. Commanders, 34-24.

Last week — 4-10 (aargh!), 29 percent. Season — 43-34-1, 56 percent.

Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.