Smoke and mirrors? Browns have beaten only one team with a +500 record

[Auggie]

Last edited Thu Dec 3, 2020, 02:23 PM - Edit history (1)

That was Indianapolis on Oct 11.

I've been picking on my home team since the trade debacle for Odell Beckham Jr. last year. I'll always think it was a myopic move to give up two high-round draft picks for one high-priced mercurial wideout. Despite the trade, Kevin Stefanski has done a good job righting what has been a really bad football team. Stefanski's running game is explosive and QB Baker Mayfield is beginning to play up to his potential.

But just how good are the Browns for real?

Their seven other victories this year came against teams with a combined W-L record of 19-55-3 (ties). They were pounded by Baltimore 38-6 and the Steelers 38-7 in September and October. They lost to the Raiders 16-6, but the game wasn't that close -- Raiders totally shut down Mayfield and the offense.

The week 12 game against Tennessee will be tell-all. Garrett is back on defense and Chubb and Hunt are running well. Should they win, Cleveland could have a two game lead over two other wild-card contenders (Ravens and Raiders) and a one game lead over two others, Miami and Indianapolis, the latter of which they beat should both tie for a wild card.

Tennessee is playing well. If Browns lose a tight game we'll still know they're for real. Should Titans blow them away then we'll know otherwise. Following this game, Cleveland needs to play a reeling albeit always tough Baltimore team again, then the NY Giants and hapless Jets, and finish the season against ... Pittsburgh.

Do Browns finish 9-7? 10-6? 11-5? 12-4? What do you folks think?

[calguy]

1. People said the same about the 49ers last year

NFL teams have no control over their schedule.

[Auggie]

2. 49ers beat teams with winning records

Time for the Browns to do the same

[True Dough]

3. The Giants and Jets games SHOULD be easy wins.

So 10-6, at minimum.

Wouldn't it be something if Pittsburgh made it to 15-0 to face Cleveland in the final game and the Browns upset them to deny them a perfect regular season?

But I think the Steelers lose to the Bills before that.

[Auggie]

7. If the Browns were able to deny the Steelers a perfect season ...

that would be close to a Cleveland Super Bowl victory.

[mr_lebowski]

4. Well, your boys should certainly beat the Jets ...

The rest are all 'winnable' in theory (but what game isn't in the NFL?).

If Jones isn't back yet for the Giants that one should be a W for sure. With Jones, they're capable of beating most other teams including the Browns. Their defense is tough, and offense is just good enough to be a problem.

I agree TN is a big test, but the Ravens game may be more important in terms of making the PO's. I think if you go 10-6 and lose the Ravens and Pitt you won't make the PO's. If you go 11-5, beating NY teams and Ravens, you make it in.

Chubb and Hunt are the best 1-2 punch in the league, and it's not really even close. They're a big reason Browns are 8-3.

I have a bad feeling though we're looking at a dynasty with Reid and Mahomes though. Patrick ... is freaking insane. As a Raider fan I hate to say it, but KC has the best QB I've ever seen, and I've been watching the NFL since the early 1970's as a little kid.

They've lost 1 game in the last calendar year (to my Raiders thanks very much!) and we BARELY won. Could've gone the other way easily. They are looking monstrous right now.

[Auggie]

5. Mahomes -- "Freaking insane" nails it

Best play-maker in the league. Only thing that might possibly contain him are injuries to the O-line.

Thanks for posting.

[Botany]

6. 11 & 5 or 12 & 4

Last edited Thu Dec 3, 2020, 03:38 PM - Edit history (1)

If they are able to finish the NFL season.

[JonLP24]

8. A win is a win

Making the playoffs is the first step. After that your odds improve on winning the Super Bowl.

[True Dough]

9. Are you okay, Auggie?

An exciting game tonight but a rough finish for your boys. They get the Giants next weekend so they're likely to rebound, at least.

[Auggie]

10. Very thoughtful of you to ask True Dough

Rough finish is a good way to put it. Couldn't help to think of (righteously beating a dead horse segment coming up) the missing defensive playmaker that was sitting on the sideline in one Odell Beckham Jr. You know, the two draft choices Cleveland gave up in 2019. Another linebacker or strong safety to spy on Jackson. Or a set of fresh legs to complement Myles Garrett or Olivier Vernon.

Score 42 points and you should win. C'est la vie.

There's an earlier win I'm still celebrating: Joe's victory over The Orange Turd. So, yeah, I'm okay. Thanks for asking.

On to the Meadowlands.

[True Dough]

11. That's the spirit!

It ain't over yet.