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CLEVELAND, OH – Since the Cleveland Browns re-entered the NFL in 1999, we’re aware of the mind blowing stats showing them to have made the playoffs only 3 times, (02,20,23). Sadly, only one playoff win has occurred in that time span and when you go all the way back to 1994, they have only won 2 playoff games in the past 30 years. The last time the Cleveland Browns won their division was 1989 in the last glory days of the Bernie Kosar years.
As rough as that may all seem, I strongly feel that it all changes this year when no one sees it coming. I have several reasons to give me hope, not only as a journalist but a die-hard Cleveland Browns fans as well. Here are the five that stand out the most.
A strong wide receiver room
Last year the biggest weakness for the Browns was the lack of playmakers in the receiving corps. They were led in receiving by a rookie tight end ( Harold Fanin Jr ). It was less then ideal and made for trouble all year long with each quarterback who took a snap with the lack of weapons to work with.
This year that all changes with healthy Cedric Tillman, a down field threat in rookie KC Concepcion and a big physical presence in Denzel Boston. If you move any one of those 3 into the WR1 slot you can then move Jerry Jeudy to the WR2 where he belongs and things will flow better because everyone would be in the spot that fits their skill set best.
Having to increase the coverage down field will also take a few men out of the box on defense and hopefully give Watson more time to throw with less pressure coming at the offensive line, a point we will get too next.
A deeper and healthier O-Line
The Cleveland Browns had little to no running game last year and next to zero time for their quarterbacks to drop back in the pocket. Constant injuries and changes to the offensive line led to massive holes and open lanes for the linebackers and defensive ends to cause havoc for Cleveland. They were sacked a total of 51 times last year, which neared the bottom of the league.
Andrew Barry was smart enough to know that the O-Line was priority one going into the post-season and did a wonderful job addressing it. Rookie Left Tackle Spencer Fano is expected to shine along with other upgrades on the line that include Tytus Howard, Teven Jenkins and Zion Johnson. They also show serious depth with Zak Zinter, Kendrick Green and Dawand Jones. If Jones can stay healthy, I expect him to move back to RT and challenge Tytus Howard for that spot.
This is an upgrade at almost every spot on the line and should help out their running game tremendously. Last year, they struggled greatly to create holes for their top rusher Quinshon Judkins as he was held to a average of 3.5 yards a carry. This is no knock on his skill as he proved to be explosive when he had room to work with as he compiled 827 yards on the ground and 171 yards receiving. Judkins showed that when you give him a bit of room he can make huge things happen!
It is time for Watson to ball out
There is a reason why the Cleveland Browns traded for Watson back in 2022, he was worth it “at the time”. Many fans forget that Watson was one of the best quarterbacks in the game at that point. Time has been lost on many of us and no one can deny it has been an absolute nightmare for Watson during his time in Cleveland. Too much pressure based on what Cleveland gave up in the trade and just constant stop and start.
But let’s not forget, before he got hurt in the fall of 2023, he was starting to look like the Watson of old in wins over Tennessee, Arizona and Baltimore during that stretch. Watson is now back with a giant chip on his shoulder as he has heard all of the chatter and wants to prove everyone who doubted him wrong. This is a contract year for Watson and he knows this is his last shot at playing at a high caliber not only to justify the contract but to establish himself as a valuable asset to any team when he is a free agent shortly.
Watson will have a revamped O-line along with weapons all around him and a soft schedule, ( more on that later ), he has every chance to succeed this year and I feel he will.
The defensive will be focused and hungry to prove they are better without Myles Garrett
Jared Verse is one of the best defensive players in the game and unlike Myles Garrett is not one dimensional. He is not concerned with a sack record, but rather there to help his defense improve each and every week by doing all the little things Garrett never did.
The new Cleveland defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg isn’t concerned with getting himself a head coaching job or getting Garrett a record, he is concerned with stopping the run, a sore spot for this defense for many years. The Browns will have every chance to succeed and when you look at second year stars Mason Graham along with Carson Schwesinger, they will only get better.
Mix in secondary veterans such as Denzel Ward, Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman, this team will have every chance to shine. Tyson Campell showed out after being traded here midseason last year and I expect that to continue as well.
A favorable schedule
Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Baltimore all looked mediocre at best last season. While many had the Ravens as a pre-season pick to win the AFC and go to the SuperBowl, they didn’t even make the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers is on his last legs and will be a giant distraction in Pittsburgh while fans grow sour quickly and clamor for Drew Allar. The Bengals by far have the most explosive offense, but weak head coaching and constant injuries will belabor their chances greatly.
All 3 of these teams have serious question marks and I expect Cleveland to go 4-2 in the division by sweeping the home portion and stealing at least one on the road in Pittsburgh. Last year it took 10 wins to take the AFC North. I expect the Browns to get the other wins versus the Panthers, Jets, Titans, Saints, Raiders, Falcons, Giants and Colts to finish at 12-5 on the season.
With all of this considered, I predict the Cleveland Browns to finish at 12-5 this coming season, winning the AFC North with little to no issue.
