It’s another must-win game today for the 4-5 Browns. A loss to the lowly Bengals would not only cut the cord on any lingering playoff aspirations, it would embarrass the entire organization and prompt a wholesale course correction.

Coloring the Browns’ running game today will be William Green, in for the injured Jamel White. The rookie could bust through the “bust” label with a few big runs. The Bengals have allowed 4.4 yards per rush (19 teams are stingier, including Cleveland). This includes nine runs of 20 yards or more. Only four other teams have been torched for more big rushing plays. I expect Green to get at least 20 carries and 75 yards, because coach Butch Davis surely sees this as the ideal chance for his blue-chipper to get off the dime.

By the way, the Browns have had three other running backs named Green:

1)Ernie, 1962-1968, averaged 4.8 yards per carry, second best in team history to Jim Brown, for whom he often blocked.

2)Boyce, 1983-85, an 11th-round pick out of tiny Carson-Newman, teamed with Mike Pruitt during a solid rookie season, then led the team in rushing in 1984.

3)David, 1982, had just one kickoff return in his brief career. He wore number 34 after Greg Pruitt and before Kevin Mack.

And speaking of “Green,” my mind still spins at the coincidence last year at Lambeau Field, where, on a green and white snowy field, the Green Bay Packers, in green jerseys, featured a runner named Green, wearing #30. Cleveland, in white jerseys, featured a runner named White, also wearing #30. Each runner had 21 carries and gained well over 100 yards. The final score still pains me, but Green Bay ended up with 30.