Kee On Sports Magazine Volume 1: “The Genesis”

The Cleveland Browns path to the playoffs

By Vince McKee

Halfway through the regular season, the Cleveland Browns are 5-4 and seem to be still finding their stride and identity.  Perhaps the smartest thing they were able to do was cut ties with Odell Beckham Jr and get their team first mentality back.  The focus and on field results in a 41-16 route of Cincinnati would indicate that they have done exactly that.

Fans can make any excuse they want, but it is clear that Baker Mayfield played better without him.  Simply look at his rookie year, and the games without OBJ in the lineup this year and last.  Numbers don’t lie and Mayfield and the Browns played looser, more focused and just straight up better without him in the lineup.

With all that being said, the Browns have several promising signs that make you believe they can still make a postseason run.  Baker Mayfield has been smart with the ball and only has 3 interceptions next to 8 touchdown passes and 1917 yards.  Nick Chubb should put up a career high in rushing yards as he already has 721 yards in just 7 games as he ahs missed two, and still has 8 more to go. Those 721 yards go alongside 6 touchdowns for Chubb.

The receiving corps have been a slight issue however, as Jarvis Landry only has 19 catches for 193 yards with 0 touchdowns.  That needs to improve and quickly. David Njoku leads the team in the receiving with 21 catches for 31 yards and 3 touchdowns.  This is the area of the team that badly needs to step up moving forward with guys like Hollywood Higgins, DPJ and Anthony Schwartz now being counted on every single week.

With the exception of last week’s win over Cincinnati, the defense has been a struggle.  3 times this season they have given up 30 plus points.  3 times this season when they badly needed a stop late to either win the game or get the ball back, they couldn’t get it. Their defense also leads the league in penalty yards.

It hasn’t been all bad however as Myles Garrett is having a season for the ages.  Despite getting held on pretty much every single play, Garrett already has 12 sacks in just 9 games and has been able to stay healthy for the first time in his career. Garrett has to be a candidate for NFL Defensive MVP.

They have only had to punt 27 times in 9 games.  That is only 3 a game, that is pretty darn good.  Their placekicker Chase McLaughlin has gone 13 of 15 on Field Goals and has been a steady source of reliable points.  The Browns are only 7 of 14 on fourth down attempts, so I would imagine you see more of McLaughlin down the stretch.

With all this being said, 5-4 is not great, but it keeps them in the playoff conversation.  I see them having to go 11-6 to get in this year.  This means they will need 6 more wins over the final 8 games to get there. If that does happen, they can only afford to lose to Baltimore and GB on the road, which means these six games below become must win.

Week 10 at New England – They will need to get past the genius of Belichick who will be ready

Week 11 home vs Detroit – The Lions may go 0-16 this season.

Week 13 home Baltimore – After they lose to them on Sunday night, they will have a week off and get this game. Plus, I’m not sold on Baltimore as 3 of their wins have been complete miracle comebacks.

Week 15 home vs Las Vegas – They nearly beat them last year at home, this year they need to get the job done.

Week 17 at Pittsburgh –  The Steelers suck and have no offense.  Big Ben can barely move, if they cannot beat them this time, they don’t deserve to be in the playoffs. This will also be the week following their road game versus GB, so it should be like taking the donut weight off a baseball bat.

Week 18 home vs Cincy – That stadium will be rocking as we sweep the Battle of Ohio for a shot to dance in the postseason.

Here are the final numbers they will need to finish with

Finish at 4-2 in the Division

Finish at 8-4 in the AFC

Finish at 4-4 on the road

Finish at 7-2 at home

In this scenario, the 7 teams to make the AFC Playoffs will be

Kansas City Chiefs

Buffalo Bills

Baltimore Ravens

Tennessee Titans

Cleveland Browns

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots