Was Richardson the problem in Cleveland?

Now that the Cleveland Browns have two wins under their belt, people are changing their tune about the blockbuster deal that sent Trent Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts for a No. 1 pick.

People panned the move from the Browns' side, saying giving up a franchise back this early in his career wasn't a good move.

Today, the Browns are the toast of the AFC North.

Maybe getting rid of Richardson wasn't what propelled the modest two-game winning streak.

Maybe getting a Brian Hoyer at quarterback instead of Brandon Weeden helped.

Maybe getting their No. 1 receiver, Josh Gordon, back helped.

Maybe it's just two wins and the bottom will fall out.

I don't think Richardson is or was the problem. A lot of other factors played into the mini-run by the Browns.

It wasn't all Richardson's fault. I'm not ready to bury him as an elite running back, either.

Trent Richardson news presents buying opportunity

The Cleveland Browns have no luck.

But, you could turn that bad luck into some fantasy football luck.

With the news that No. 1 pick Trent Richardson could have surgery today on his knee, fantasy football owners have to be taking that into consideration before they draft.

Before the news, Richardson likely was a first-round pick. Now? Who knows?

The procedure, if it takes place, would sideline Richardson for two or three weeks. The team seems to think he'll be ready for the season opener.

If you draft this weekend, I wouldn't lower him based on this news alone.

Yes, it's a little disheartening to hear. But the Browns were depending on Richardson this year.

I would still take him at the end of the first round.

The information I've seen so far hasn't convinced me to knock him down on my board or avoid him.

Antonio Brown's big game was on my bench

Up until 11 p.m. Thursday night, I was feeling OK with my decision to bench Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown in the first round of my fantasy football playoffs.

Then, he clinched the game for the Steelers on a 79-yard TD reception.

Ugh.

Well, here's why I did it.

Brown would have been in my flex spot. However, I thought the matchup against the Browns, who were strong against the pass this season, favored a lot of running by Rashard Mendenhall.

That, in addition to my bad luck starting Thursday night players this season, made me gun shy.

I also had Mike Tolbert (vs. the Bills) and Julio Jones as other options as my flex.

Tolbert's there, but I don't expect 30-plus points from him. I am expecting a good game.

We'll see how it goes on Sunday.