The Cleveland Browns survived Sunday’s game against division rival Cincinnati, riding a big-time performance from Baker Mayfield to a 5-2 record and momentum into their next matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Despite a dismal start, Cleveland’s quarterback bounced back immensely, answering every counterpunch rookie standout Joe Burrow and the Bengals fired at him with an impressive drive of his own. After starting 0-5 with an interception, Baker completed 21 straight passes, a new franchise record. The biggest completion of the day came with just 15 seconds left on the clock to Donovan Peoples-Jones, an absolute dime from 24 yards for the lead and ultimately the win.

But of course, with any success involving the Cleveland Browns, there were plenty negatives along the way.

The aforementioned sluggish start from Baker is something good teams will not allow the Browns to recover from, as shown by the way the Steelers manhandled them the week prior.

The Browns are 0-2 in their games against the Steelers and Ravens, both losses blowouts that felt like the big dogs putting a lesser pack member in their place. Any hopes Cleveland has of a playoff berth will rely on them passing at least one of them, and both teams show no signs on slowing down. On the plus side, the Browns have some time to get healthier, especially on the defense, before they have to duel with either behemoths again.

Speaking of health, an ugly interception and subsequent injury to Odell Beckham Jr. has put his season in jeopardy, with early feedback on OBJ’s knee looking bleak. Losing their most dynamic receiver will leave a huge hole in the offense, but the likes of Rashard Higgins (who came up big down the stretch against Cincy) and company appear ready to fill the void as best they can.

Star running back Nick Chubb appears to be progressing from his MCL injury as planned, with a mid-November return still on line. If the Browns can hold their ground until he comes back, head coach Kevin Stafanski’s offense can get its deadly back duo of Chubb and Kareem Hunt back. Hunt has carried the load since filling in as the first option, but sustaining his health for a full season for the first time since his Kansas City days is a question mark the Browns are hoping will lean their way.

Granted, any success against a dismal Bengal defense must be taken with a grain of salt. After all, the Browns were one Herculean throw from Mayfield to Peoples-Jones late from losing this game and probably deflating their season. But instead, they have momentum heading to Vegas to battle a team that just got Brady’d and will look to right their own ship.

But if the Browns can convert these next few favorable matchups (Raiders, Texans, Eagles, Jags) into wins before flying to Tennessee, the football world might finally have to show the league’s most maligned franchise some love.

Fuck it, I’ll dare to say it: The Cleveland Browns might be 9-2 coming into December.

Obviously that’s the stretch of all stretches, but not totally impossible.

And its chances will depend on how far their equally, if not more highly, criticized gunslinger can take them. Once again we saw the worst of Baker, but we also saw the guts and playmaking that show why a team might take the former Sooner first overall.

So yes, they escaped a loss to their division’s bottom feeder. Yes, Baker still showed signs of futility. Yes, their two best playmakers are scheduled to miss a sizable chunk of time. Yes, their defense hasn’t played as well as they’d hoped. And yes, their playoff hopes are still a bit of a stretch.

But should you write off these lovable losers?

Hell no.

Wrote this to Ty Dolla $ign’s new one. Don’t think he’s missed in 5 years.

Check back with me after the Dodgers game. If Kershaw chokes again, I’m opening up the fuckin’ can, bro.

Cheers.