Browns, Rays and Analytics. Sports Attack Episode 3

The Browns are in first place, the Rays are still breathing, and our Patreon members want to know if coaches trust the numbers too much. Bob McElligott, after 17 years as an NHL broadcaster, takes on three of the week’s biggest debates live from Columbus.

🏈 ARE THE BROWNS FOR REAL?
Cleveland is 5-2 and leads the AFC North, but every win has come down to the final possession. All five wins were by 4 points or fewer, Deshaun Watson has led a game-winning drive in each one, and Andre Szmyt has three game-winning field goals. The catch: the Browns are the only team in the NFL with 5+ wins and a negative point differential (−13). Real contender or living on borrowed time? Next up: at Pittsburgh Sunday with first place on the line.

⚾ CAN THE RAYS SAVE THEIR SEASON?
Down 3-0 to the Brewers and three outs from elimination, the Rays walked off in the 12th inning to force Game 5. History says it’s a long shot: only one team out of 44 has come back from 3-0 in a best-of-seven postseason series (the 2004 Red Sox). But the three teams before them that escaped World Series elimination in extra innings all went on to win the title.

📊 PATREON MEMBERS’ PICK: ANALYTICS, MORE OR LESS?
Fourth-down gambles, three-point barrages, the shift ban, robot umpires. Should coaches build their game plans around the numbers, or trust their gut?

Then Bob takes your questions from Patreon members and the live chat.

⭐ Get your questions answered first and vote on the weekly topic: patreon.com/clearbreakaway
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🔴 Sports Attack is live every Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.
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