The loser’s mentality

John Kuntz / cleveland.com

I’m nervous but cautiously optimistic.

Since becoming a diehard Browns fan three years ago, I’ve never been this close to a perfect season. If it happens, the 25-year run of the Loser Bowl might finally end, because really, what could top this?

Dave and I have been picking the team that will suck more since the early 90s, proudly rooting for fumbles over field goals, penalties over first downs, and interceptions over touchdowns. You didn’t have to be the worst, just worse than the other guy’s pick. The tiebreaker was turnovers.

Winners, meaning losers, took home prizes. I’ve got a Jags fleece, and Dave once sported a Dolphins stop sign and a Bengals poncho. My all-time favorite team used to be the 2001 Chris Weinke Panthers, who dropped 15 straight after winning their opener. A fourth-quarter come-from-ahead loss to Washington that year still gives me chills.

But these Browns have redefined losing. Since 1999, they’ve hit double-digit losses in nearly every season. Johnny Manziel sealed my confidence. His Hall of Shame focus and epic meltdowns proved Cleveland was ready to claim dynasty status in the Loser Bowl era.