OK, I'll give it a go: Crowell tops 1200 yds Kizer doesn't get hurt. doesn't get happy feet, and continues to let it fly, for better or worse. Coleman becomes the player we thought we drafted The D becomes #1 in turnovers and ranks in the top ten vs the run We win 10 and go 4 / 2 in the AFC North. If SAS's league forecast of tanking to become the Browns comes true, well, we could end up with 10 wins. That's why I love the preseason, anything is possible. Why not the Browns. Don't answer that
I'm answering it, but in the positive. The Houston Texans posted a -49 point differential in 2016 and still went 9-7. That was with the 11th best scoring defense in the NFL. To be fair, the Browns were 30th in 2016 but with a decimated roster and a poor excuse for a defensive coordinator. Already this preseason, we've seen Gregg Williams' defense look anything but ordinary. I think we all understand it's the preseason, but it's not like the players go half-speed when they're in there. Not only did the Browns first team defense look good, all the guys behind them did, too. That speaks to a coach who's reaching his players, who's challenging them, and who's getting the most out of his guys. The Browns' offense of 2016 had 264 points for (16.5 PPG), the Texans' offense was 279 (17.4). If nothing else, having a QB who starts all 16 games and is allowed to get better (yes, he will make rookie mistakes but the team will have a constant finally) will go a long way. An improved offensive line will go a long way. A determination to run the football will go a long way. It's not unreasonable to believe Cleveland can improve the offense even 10% over 2016 sad state, giving them a projected 290 PF (18.2 PPG). If the defense can keep opposing teams to under 17 in nine of their contests (+25% improvement), that should be enough to win those nine games. Remember, we play some pretty sad teams. Chicago, Cincinnati (twice), Jacksonville, New York (Jets), Los Angeles (Chargers), Indianapolis, Baltimore (twice) are all beatable teams.
2017 Season Predictions AFC Division Winners: Patriots, Steelers, Titans, Chiefs AFC Wild Cards: Raiders, Browns NFC Division Winners: Seahawks, Falcons, Packers, Giants NFC Wild Cards: Buccaneers, Cowboys MVP: Marcus Mariota, Tennessee OROY: DeShone Kizer, Cleveland DROY: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Coach of the Year: Mike Mularkey, Tennessee [edit] Comeback Player of the Year: Marshawn Lynch, Oakland Browns Record: 9-7
2017 Season Predictions - the Duds Coaching Firings: Marvin Lewis, Bengals; Todd Bowles, Jets; John Fox, Bears; Bill O'Brien, Texans Most Disappointing Rookie: Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Most Disappointing Team: Dallas Cowboys (-7 wins; 6-10 finish) Worst Record: t-New York Jets (1-15), Jacksonville Jaguars (1-15)
Can we make week by week predictions? This week the Browns get win #1. They won't make another special teams snafu. The Ravens don't have an AB talent of their roster, they have a bunch of professional level grunt players that will beat average teams easily. That said, the Ravens get outcoached and outhustled in week 2. Browns 27 Ravens 9 - Browns offense scores (2) TDs, (1) passing, (1) by the Crow rushing...A D/SPT TD and (2) FGs on the leg of the rook, the defense holds the Ravens out of the end zone and the Browns win field position all day long, forcing the Ravens to a long field for their FGs. The Ravens won because the Bengals are terrible this year and Andy Dalton is not good enough to attempt to put the team on his shoulders. The film will for warn Kizer to not try and be a hero, but just play within the game plan. If Bernard and Hill can rush for 4.3 ypc, the Crow should be able to fly this week. I think Crow goes over 100 yards and Dayes adds 75 yards of total offense as well. I would say that is pretty bold, wouldn't you?
I don't think Crowell will crack 100 yds rushing, but Cleveland should beat the Modell's. The Ravens easily tore apart a team on the decline. The Browns have a good young team that will get better from here on out. Kizer should have at least (2) TD passes and I can see another one by run or maybe Crow gets one on the ground. 26-19 Cleveland.
Week 2 Predictions Browns go into a hyped Baltimore Ravens home game where the crowd is pumped after beating a hapless Bengals team - most everyone else outside of Browns fandom believes is still better than Cleveland. And are shut up on the opening kick return by Peppers, who takes it 105 yards to the house. Ensuing Zane Gonzalez kickoff doesn't touch the endzone and the Ravens setup with first-and-ten. Short pass, gang-tackled for short gain. Second-and-eight. Sack. Third-and-fourteen. Interception by Jamar Taylor sets the offense up in the redzone and they punch it in four plays later. The rout is already on less than five minutes in as analysts and sports fans alike begin to murmur in shadowed corners and empty hallways... Browns win 31-9. DeShone Kizer throws for three bills and accounts for three TDs (one turnover). For his dominance, he's awarded with the Week 2 Rookie of the Week award. Peppers wins Special Teams of the Week award.
Just read an article on that, just 10-15 minutes ago, which speculated about the same. Didn't say tomorrow but speculated soon and he'd be available for the Colts game if the Browns will take him back. Edit: Britt's hands of stone and the sub-par (to this point) WR corps, may force the FO and Hue to give him a shot. Maybe if just to take some defensive pressure off the new QB.
I certainly hope the FO doesn't take some philosophical position on Gordon, and dump him. I want to see them be thoughtful and business smart, and take an asset available to them and examine what they have, and let him prove he's grown up, and football ready. Then judge his value. He's got no value in a trade, at least not now, but if he can still play, let him show it. Then you may be able to get something for him, or God forbid, let him help us win. I'll give you this: he was a bonehead. I still believe he was unfairly and overly penalized. You can't convince me he would have been treated so harshly, as a member of the Cowboys, or Giants, or Pittsburgh, or any top flight team. It's the Michael Jordan rule again. I'd like to think he has grown out of his stupidity, and his habits. If not, cut him loose. Its a shame he has harmed himself so deeply, but he's still young enough to recover, and make a career for himself. I'd like that to be in Cleveland, but if not, best of luck Josh.
I didn't get to see the game. I never get to see the games. Probably for the best, given the horrific play our heroes have given us the last few years (decades). I did watch the "highlights" on YouTube, and I saw an awful lot of Kizer, holding onto the ball and taking hits and sacks. I thought Joe Thomas was going to smack him, after one particularly long reciever hunt, but Joe is Joe, and just shrugged and went back to the huddle. That aside, I hope there aren't any more Antonio Browns ahead. I believe our young players will get better each week, and maybe by the time we go to the Pit, we are able to hold him to something better than a 100% catching ratio. I saw Shobert (I think) just a step away from making some plays and I believe he will have that step as he learns how to read recievers and QBs a little better. I wish we could have had Garrett, but more importantly, I want him healthy when he gets back. The D is legit, and Garret will make it scary. It feels like the blocked punt and magical spinning halt before leaving the field of play, was all the difference. If that truly is the case, then Let's Roll. We are on the precipce of something special, and I can't wait, to see the Orange and Brown, a respected, and feared team again. So c'mon Kizer (just realizing how close to Kosar that sounds). GO BROWNS !!
Forgot I was on the Bold Predictions thread. OK well how about: The Browns actually get talked about in pregame and weekly wrap ups next week. Talk about BOLD.
I guess thats why we call them bold predictions...I tried to warn you guys early on but of course Im the dumb guy
