CLEVELAND, O.H. - The Steelers have dominated the Turnpike Rivalry since the inception of the vNFL. Ten consecutive wins with an average 13-point margin of victory. Rivalry is a very generous way to describe the relationship between these two teams.
"I don't take crap from nobody, 'specially not a Squealer." - Kellen Winslow Jr.
"It all changes now," says offensive team captain Kellen "Moses" Winslow Jr. (TE). "We're mad as hell, and we're not going to take it anymore."
There is a feeling in the Cleveland locker room that their time has come. For the first time in the history of the vNFL, the Browns lead the AFC North. The injury-prone Ravens are led by a quarterback whose best days may be behind him. The Bengals are in the early stages of a complete rebuild. And the Steelers' inability or unwillingness to find weapons for Big Ben may be catching up to them. The Steelers are the only AFC North franchise without a 1,000-yard receiver in the past five years.
There is talk in Cleveland that the balance of power in the AFC North has shifted. There is a sense that getting a historical first win over the Steelers is inevitable, practically a God-given right.
"We've always thought we could beat them before, but this time it's different," says Winslow. "This time, we know we are the better team. They got nothing on us. With all respect, they got Butterfingers for a running back. Chaun will eat that little guy for breakfast. And who they gonna use to cover Speedy B? They got a bunch of one-footed one-handed lames in that secondary. Only Jesus can save them now.
"We still gotta play football, but if we play there ain't nothing they can do to stop us. This is our time. If we can't win this one, we got no business playing in this league. We got bigger fish to fry."
Winslow was almost certainly referring to the Browns' grueling schedule in the latter half of the season. In the last five weeks, the Browns play on the road against San Diego, Seattle, Pittsburgh, and Arizona, then finish with a home game against Baltimore.
"You heard it here first. Our time is now."
