CLEVELAND _ Browns coach Freddie Kitchens thought his players passed a test of character Sunday by defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 27-19 at FirstEnergy Stadium, and showing fight in the aftermath of last week's devastating loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers certainly matters.
The Browns (6-7) proved they haven't thrown in the towel, albeit in an ugly victory against the bad Bengals (1-12).
With their fourth consecutive home win, Kitchens and his men kept their playoff hopes flickering. They're now tied with the Oakland Raiders (6-7) and Indianapolis Colts (6-7) but two games behind the Steelers (8-5) and Tennessee Titans (8-5) in the race for the AFC's second and final wild-card spot. They need to win out and receive help to end a playoff drought dating to 2002.
"I told [the players] Monday we would find out individually and collectively about the character of our football team, and they would find out the character about their teammates," Kitchens said. "I think we did."
Still, the latest ongoing challenge the Browns face might be more daunting.
With no margin for error, they must demonstrate an impressive level of maturity, something with which they have struggled throughout the season, whether it's been Kitchens donning in public a "Pittsburgh started it" T-shirt in reference to his team's Nov. 14 fight with the Steelers or the times the Browns have lacked control and committed an alarming amount of penalties.
Maturity will be necessary for Kitchens and Co. to focus with drama surrounding wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and speculation swirling about his future in Cleveland.
Jay Glazer reported Sunday morning on Fox NFL Sunday Beckham has told opposing coaches and players before games this season, "Hey, come get me. Come get me out of here."
