Hue Jackson and Todd Haley (Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Is this the biggest game of Hue Jackson's coaching career in Cleveland?
When a coach has a 1-31 record and is on a 17-game losing streak, the next game is the biggest of his career.
Especially when it's the first game of the season. And it is the Steelers, who sometimes even seem bored when in the process of beating the Browns.
"It's a chance for us to go out and showcase our football team," Jackson said after Wednesday's practice.
That's more to the point.
From the moment the Haslam family decided to fire Vice President Sashi Brown and keep Jackson -- that was last December -- the clock was ticking down to this game.
New General Manager John Dorsey vowed to go out and find Jackson some "real players."
It's ridiculous to say Brown didn't bring in some talented players. The best player on the team is Myles Garrett, drafted by Brown.
But Dorsey's mission was to add veteran players who can help the Browns win now -- and also find younger players in the draft.
Jackson is right. This is showcase of the talent and the coaching staff. Do they know what they are doing? How will they look against the Steelers, whose quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger) has a 21-2 record vs. Cleveland?
THE NEW QUARTERBACK
A reason for hope is new quarterback Tyrod Taylor, whose 22-20 record in Buffalo has earned him respect across the NFL.
"His mobility and decision making are excellent," said Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin in a conference call. "Anytime you have someone under center with those two components...that's a weapon."
I don't consider that a coach simply hyping an opposing player. Tomlin knows Taylor is not the usual Browns quarterback.
He has faced the Steelers once in his career. That was in 2016. Pittsburgh beat Buffalo, 27-20. Taylor was 15-of-25 passing for 280 yards, two TD passes and one interception.
One of Dorsey's first priorities was to find an experienced quarterback who won't lose games.
There are a lot of remarkable stats when looking at Taylor vs. the Browns 2017 quarterbacks. But the most startling is this: The Browns threw more interceptions in the red zone (6) than Taylor had all year anywhere on the field (4).
In the red zone, Taylor threw 11 TD passes last season compared to two interceptions.
THE NEW GAME PLAN
As Taylor told the media, the offense needs to "protect the football and establish the run to get everything else going."
That's also why Dorsey signed veteran running back Carlos Hyde and drafted Nick Chubb in the second round. Both are physical, punishing runners who should take the pressure off the Browns needing to throw the ball.
New offensive coordinator Todd Haley does know how to design plays for the running backs to catch passes. That should make Duke Johnson more effective.
Haley spent the previous six years calling plays for the Steelers.
The Steelers must be looking at the Browns' offense and finding more reasons to worry than they have in years.
Jarvis Landry can be an impact receiver. David Njoku has the physical ability to be a game-changing tight end. Johnson, Hyde and Taylor are veterans who won't be intimidated by the Steelers.
And Jackson is correct when saying the Browns have a "weather-proof offense" because of Taylor and their ability to run the ball.
THE NEW HOPE?
For the sake of the Browns fan base, a victory would mean so much.
It would take the heat off Jackson and the players. About 60 percent of those in a Cleveland uniform Sunday were not with the team in 2017. But they inherit the weight of all the losing and despair.
Star Pittsburgh running back Le'Veon Bell is holding out. The Steelers have some problems on defense.
They seem vulnerable. Myles Garrett also is healthy and can put some pressure on Roethlisberger.
It's also the first game of the season, when strange things happen in the NFL. I know of some very serious gamblers who rarely bet in the opening week because it's so unpredictable.
But these are the Browns who have won just one game - that's right - ONE opening game since the team returned in 1999. That was Butch Davis and Jeff Garcia beating Baltimore 20-3 in 2004.
And these are the Steelers, who have a 19-3 record vs. the Browns since Tomlin became the coach.
I confess to having a lot of concerns about the Browns with all the new players and coaches being ready for a game like this. My head says they'll lose.
While I'd never bet on it...because I don't bet...I'm picking the Browns to win.
Why?
Because the roster seems better designed to beat the Steelers -- and I'm sick of writing stories about them losing to Pittsburgh.
PREDICTION: Browns 20, Pittsburgh 17.
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