Peyton Hillis

Should Peyton Hillis finish the season the way he hopes to, he would set himself up for a big payday in the spring. Since the Browns have been unable to sign him to a contract extension, the 25-year-old newlywed will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time.

Despite putting a moratorium on the subject more than a month ago, Hillis did field a handful of questions about his future while preparing for the Ravens. He also disagreed with a reporter’s assertion that this was a lost season for him.

“You know, I don’t believe that,” said Hillis, who has rushed for a team-high 445 yards, caught 19 passes, and scored three touchdowns. “I feel everything happens for a reason. The Lord lets everything happen for a reason, so I’m not going to sit here and question myself or worry about the past. I’m just going to go out and approach it with the best mental state that I possibly can and hope the best happens.

“I’m not thinking about what the offseason will bring, I’m just thinking about how we can win these next two games.”