CLEVELAND – Cleveland Browns fans tailgating before a home game approach the upcoming game with unwavering optimism, regardless of the opponent.

“We beat the Ravens. We have a chance to beat Pittsburgh,” Eastlake’s Joe Schindel said.

“Division play, we hate the Steelers, so I think we can win it today,” Cleveland’s Kyle Osicki added.

They were the ultimate glass-half-full crowd as Dustin Bennett shouted his prediction to everyone within earshot: “Browns 27, Steelers 14!”

Their optimism has some merit, even though if you look at the proverbial story of the tape, the 8-2 vs. 2-8 records may seem like two franchises going in different directions, but fans will point out that those games this year have been played. on Sunday and Monday. This is a Thursday.

‘Why am I here? Thursday night,” Bennett shouted. For emphasis it is added: “Browns. Steelers. Cleveland. Ohio.”

Yes, Browns fans remember all too well the feeling when Baker Mayfield ended the team’s 19-game winless streak in September 2018 and opened the padlocked beer fridges around Cleveland.

If I’m not mistaken, it was a victory?

“Thursday evening,” Schindel replied.

“I was here for that game,” said Larry Pifer of Andover. “Baker came in and that first pass he threw in the stadium shook people.”

And their Thursday night record since that win six years ago: a perfect 6 and 0. The Steelers on the other hand, under Head Coach Mike Tomlin, are 1-7 on the road on Thursday Night Football, with three of those losses coming under the Thursday night lights here in Cleveland.

“It’s special, primetime. They get up and play for primetime,” Schindel said.

That’s even more important this year because what the rest of the league knows about the Browns, they know through our record. Since it’s the only game, this is a chance for them to write their own story.

“If we can come away with a win in a season like the game against Pittsburgh, it’s like our Super Bowl, so it will definitely be something to celebrate,” Pifer said.