Six games remain for the Browns in the 2008 season, and if they have any chance at all of playing in January, they have to play better defensively, starting Sunday when they host the Houston Texans.
The Browns carry a 4-6 record into the game. The Texans are 3-7. This has been a season of lament for the Browns, starting with Braylon Edwards and 14 or 15 dropped passes, depending on who is doing the counting.
Defense has been an issue as well. Opponents have rushed for 11 touchdowns. That is already three more than they allowed all last season when an inability to stop the run kept them out of the playoffs despite a 10-6 record.
The Browns lost two straight games before beating the Bills on Monday night.