Written by Jesse Lamovsky

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It's kind of a weird feeling heading into Sunday's season ending home game against the 49ers.  The game is meaningless for the Browns, yet they have not clinched the playoffs.  Furthermore, the Browns are a double digit favorite.  When's the last time that happened?  Jesse previews tomorrow's game, and also spends some time giving his thoughts on the all important Titans/Colts game that will kick off at 8:15 PM.

Time: Sunday, December 30, 1:00 PM 

Location: Cleveland Browns Stadium 

Network, Announcers: Fox- Matt Devlin (who?) and J.C. Pearson (who?) 

Line: Browns by 12. When was the last time the Browns were a double-digit favorite? 1987? 

Team W/L Records: Cleveland is 9-6; San Francisco is 5-10 

Coaches: Romeo Crennel is 19-28 in his third season with the Browns; Mike Nolan is 16-31 in his third season with the 49ers 

Last Week for the Browns: Simply handed away what should have been the biggest victory since the return. 

Last Week for the 49ers: Third-string quarterback Shaun Hill directed a 21-19 victory over the Buccaneers, as Jon Gruden's white flag snapped in the brisk Bay breeze. 

All-Time Series: Browns lead 10-6 

Last Meeting: Week Three, 2003- Behind the eleventh-hour heroics of Kelly Holcomb, the Browns rallied to a 13-12 win over a ‘Niner team that dominated most of the game but couldn't put the ball in the end zone. 

Out or Questionable for San Francisco: QB Trent Dilfer (concussion) and QB Shaun Hill (back) are out; WR Jason Hill (groin) and CB Shawntae Spencer (quad) are doubtful; CB Marcus Hudson (knee), RB Michael Robinson (shoulder) and LB Derek Smith (shoulder) are questionable 

Out or Questionable for Cleveland: LB Antwan Peek (ankle), DE Orpheus Roye (knee) and WR Joe Jurevicius (knee) are questionable 

What to watch for the 49ers (since this game is meaningless in terms of playoff qualification, we'll talk about one that actually matters): Vince Young. Tennessee will bring a fifth-overall ranked, highly motivated defense with a front four from Hell to the party on Sunday night. Peyton and the regulars shouldn't be out there too long- long enough to re-establish a game-speed rapport between #18 and Marvin Harrison (who looks more like a high-school shop teacher than a Hall of Fame-caliber receiver) and not too much longer, I'd imagine. Jim Sorgi will see major action. I don't believe Indy is going to score a whole lot in this game. 

That leaves ultimate control of this game in the hands of VY. Now, it's true that he's got a long way to go as a passer. Essentially he's Charlie Frye as an aerial artist, except Chaz has a feeble arm and Vince has a hose, yet throws the ball like he's flicking dog-poop off his hand. It'll be a while before he's a proficient passer. But we've seen what this man can do when the game is in the balance and he's free to improvise, call his own number, and just use his God-given gifts to do whatever the hell he has to do to win. And if it comes to a point where the Titans' playoff lives flash before them, they'll put their fate in the hands of Vince Young and say: "Win it for us"- and he can.  

What I want to see is a pocket-bound Vince Young who looks as stiff as a retired man forced into foxtrot lessons by his wife. I don't want to see Vince Unbridled. Vince Unbridled gives me the willies. Maybe I'm jumping at shadows. Or maybe I just remember all too well another quarterback with great athleticism and a crappy passer rating that could beat you single-handedly. Blonde hair, buck teeth, played in the Mountain Time Zone. Maybe you remember him.  

What to watch for the Browns: Nothing. This Sunday might be the first time in the history of this franchise that a Browns game meant nothing, while another game meant everything. It'll be like preseason, except the air will be colder and there'll be no Chris Barclay. The game that actually means something won't be on until 8:15. We will start and end our game in the palm of Tennessee's hand (and maybe Tony Dungy's too). There ain't a damned thing we can do except celebrate an entertaining and surprising season, and do it fatalistically. Stock up on the whiskey and rye. And have a safe and festive New Year, peeps. 

Bad Past Loss to the 49ers: November 11, 1984: San Francisco 41, Cleveland 7: A week after capturing Marty Schottenheimer's first win as a head coach, the Browns were abused at the Stadium by a 49ers team that went on to a 15-1 season and the Super Bowl title. Bill Walsh's merciless technicians blew things open with two Roger Craig touchdown runs and two Montana-to-Freddie Solomon scoring passes. Cleveland's only score came in garbage time, on a pass from Paul McDonald to ex-49er Johnny Davis. 

Good Past Win over the 49ers: November 15, 1981- Cleveland 15, San Francisco 12: The Browns trailed 12-5 going into the fourth quarter but tied it on a touchdown pass from Brian Sipe to Reggie Rucker and won it on a field goal by Matt Bahr, who had been cut by the 49ers earlier in the season. The Browns went 5-11 in 1981, yet beat both Super Bowl teams- San Francisco and Cincinnati- on the road. 

Next Week for Both Teams: San Francisco will end its season; Cleveland will either be at San Diego, at Pittsburgh, or at home. 

Trivia: The Browns and 49ers are the only two NFL teams that originated in the old All-American Football Conference.