Sunday night’s game against the Giants at MetLife stadium left nothing to stand in the Browns’ way of a leisurely win other than themselves and an above average New York defense. And in their 20-6 victory, the Browns calmly overcame both.

Baker Mayfield kept the Browns offense steady throughout the night, once again rifling the right passes at the right times to sustain drives and lead Cleveland to easy scores against a daunting Giants’ front line.

The only other thing Cleveland needed to do to maintain control of this game was to not spot one of the NFL’s most anemic offenses too many gifts. They spot them none, holding ex-Brown QB Colt McCoy and the Giants a measly two field goals.

So I know you’re thinking “Okay, so they handily beat a lame team. So what?”

The true meaning lies within the fact that the Browns don’t usually do this sort of thing.

The Cleveland Browns garnered what hasn’t been very commonplace in recent memory: a pretty dull, business-like victory over a lesser rival.

The Browns seem to have had a knack of turning should be wins and moments of sure success into stress-filled narrow escapes, or terrible losses altogether. Cleveland weather kept the Texans & Eagles games closer than I would’ve liked them. Despite their record, Cleveland outshot Joe Burrow’s youthful brilliance twice, and considering a battle against a healthy Bengals team an easy win would be a disservice to the young Cincy quarterback.

So in terms of completely, unequivocally “easy” wins, the Browns didn’t screw this one up. In fact, they handled it like a good team would. All business, no mental mistakes, and left nothing to doubt.

This subtle, not-so-subtle sign of progress displays just how these Browns under Kevin Stefanski have completely flipped the script and narrative around surrounding this team and this franchise. After YEARS of futility and embarrassment, dating back to literally last season, the Browns are trending in the direction at a rapid rate.

And it’s a beautiful sight to see.

They’re 10-4, and a win against the Jets (holy hell btw) from cementing their playoff spot. They’ll face the same challenges presented against the week prior: don’t get complacent against a terrible team, don’t cut them any breaks, and just control the game. No need for a gaudy blowout or a lengthy highlight reel, just get the win you’re supposed to.

Just a year or so ago, this would be asking an insurmountable amount of the Browns, and if that doesn’t exempt to you the significance of this team’s success, you must not know a lot of Browns fans.

The Jets are coming off one the most sour wins of all time, holding on against the Rams to kill their hold over Jacksonville for the rights to #1 pick and potential life-changing Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence. Could the Jets say ‘f-it’ and totally throw away their draft hopes and condemn the franchise even further by winning again?

Who knows, but the Browns should prepare like that’s their plan.

It’s hard to imagine the Browns lose Sunday and are forced to go all out in Week 17 against Pittsburg, barring the Ravens win out, which looks likely with the way Lamar Jackson is playing, and the fact that they have the Giants and Bengals left on their schedule.

In other words, the Browns and Steelers may very well say to hell with the seeding and just rest as many core guys as possible to finish the season. But let’s just get through this week first.

I do know that the McKenzie household thoroughly enjoyed a stress free Browns win. Feels good to be good.

At minimum, I’ll hit a Lakers opening night post before the holidays consume my time. I’ll try to catch us much as I can, particularly God’s chosen son LaMelo and Charlotte, Steph Curry’s return to the Dubs, maybe see how new look Phoenix and Atlanta look, although I don’t feel great about the Hawks roster. Just has a randomness to it that I don’t think will gel as awesome as some others do.

But before I turn a Browns post into an NBA post, enjoy the holidays safely and with your kin. And cross the hell out of those fingers next Christmas COVID’s farewell tour is already well and done.

Cheers.