As streaks go, the Ravens are approaching death/taxes status when it comes to the Browns.
But Browns cornerback Joe Haden tossed a log on the fire, saying there’s a legitimate reason his team can snap an 11-game losing streak to their division rival when they host the Ravens.
“Because as the years go by, the teams change,’' Haden said, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “The Ravens aren’t the Ravens of old. They’re still really good, a real talented team, a division opponent, but at the same time, our team is a whole different team. It’s a different squad.
“We still haven’t gotten over the hump, but there’s no reason why we can’t.”
Of course, a lot has changed since Week Two, when the Ravens extended the streak with a 14-6 win. The Browns have since then found and lost a serviceable quarterback (Brian Hoyer), gone back to the first one (Brandon Weeden) and then changed again (Jason Campbell).
But even though they’re 3-5, they’re taking heart in an improved defensive showing (particularly in the second half against the undefeated Chiefs), and the fact their schedule is backloaded with division games, including a pair against the 2-5 Steelers.
“Everything is still in front of us,’' Haden said. “We still have so many division games in front of us and nobody’s really out there. Cincinnati’s ahead but we can always catch up. We’ve still got everything ahead of us that we want to do. We just need to do it.’'
Of course, offering up a little motivational material for the Ravens might not have been the wisest course of action, but Haden will have his chance to back it up.