2010-2011 NFL Predictions: Cleveland Browns Game By Game Results

With just a month and a half left until the kickoff of NFL Preseason, with no rosters set, no training camp action, and very little to go off of—what better time than to predict the entire results of the coming season, right?

Without further adieu, your 2010-2011 Cleveland Browns.

Week 1 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Date: Sun, 09/12
Time: 1:00 PM EDT
Location: Raymond James Stadium

Key Matchup: TJ Ward vs Kellen Winslow

Opponent Preview: Tampa Bay last year would have been an easy victory for almost any team in the NFL. This year however, they feature a lot of new play-makers picked up in the draft. The defense has received a big makeover with the additions of Gerald McCoy and Brian Price to the defensive line, with the always solid Barrett Ruud behind them. The offense will be looking towards their youth as well with a duo of new receivers Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams.

Strategy: Cleveland's best chance will be using speed to the outside with Jerome Harrison, while attacking the safeties with tight end Benjamin Watson. Rushing attempts up the middle will be a hard road to cross.

Results: Cleveland 20, Tampa Bay 17

Week 2 vs Kansas City Chiefs

Date: Sun, 09/19
Time: 1:00 PM EDT
Location: Cleveland Browns Stadium

Key Matchup: Jamaal Charles vs D'Qwell Jackson

Opponent Preview: Nobody knows the Browns like the Chiefs new defensive coordinator, old Cleveland head coach Romeo Crennel. Kansas City this season features the 2010 draft's prize safety Eric Berry but not much else. A duo of 2008 cornerbacks who have underachieved so far round out their secondary. Underachieving draft picks are the same story for the defensive line. Kansas City is on the right path back to relevance, but the offense is anemic and there's still a long way to go.

Strategy: Expect Cleveland to open up the playbook and have some fun in this game. This will probably be the first extensive look at the Wildcat packages, with a mixture of check downs to running backs out of the backfield in hopes of taking advantage of aging linebacker Mike Vrabel.

Results: Cleveland 30, Kansas City 13

Week 3 @ Baltimore Ravens

Date: Sun, 09/26
Time: 1:00 PM EDT
Location: M&T Bank Stadium

Key Matchup: Anquan Boldin vs Eric Wright

Opponent Preview: It's an intimidating thought when you know that the Baltimore Ravens found a way to get even better this season, on both sides of the ball. The additions on defense of Terrence "Mount" Cody and pass rushing specialist Sergio Kindle was nothing short of a spectacular draft. Combined with the always dangerous Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis, the only weakness (and it's not a big one) may be the cornerback position. On offense Baltimore returns breakout running back Ray Rice, alongside new additions of Anquan Boldin, Donte Stallworth and Ed Dickson.

Strategy: Picking on the corners. Forget the running game, forget the tight ends, this game has to be won on the backs of Mohamed Massaquoi, Brian Robiskie and Joshua Cribbs. If Delhomme can throw well enough, and keep it out of the hands of Ed Reed, Cleveland has a chance.

Results: Baltimore 31, Cleveland 17

Week 4 vs Cincinnati Bengals

Date: Sun, 10/03
Time: 1:00 PM EDT
Location: Cleveland Browns Stadium

Key Matchup: Chad Ochocinco vs Sheldon Brown

Opponent Preview: Although Cincinnatti surprised everyone last year, most analysts don't expect a repeat. The offense has improved with the additions of Antonio Bryant, Jordan Shipley and Jermaine Gresham, as well as returning with Cedric Benson and Chad Ochocinco, the offense should remain high-powered. The defense on the other hand will rely on Tank Johnson and Dhani Jones up the middle and a sub-par secondary featuring Roy Williams and Chris Crocker.

Strategy: Power running featuring Montario Hardesty and Peyton Hillis. Tank Johnson and Robert Geathers are not strong against the run, smashmouth football on the Browns part would pay off greatly. Establishing the run early and often will open up the passing routes in true West Coast fashion.

Results: Cleveland 27, Cincinatti 23

Week 5 vs Atlanta Falcons

Date: Sun, 10/10
Time: 1:00 PM EDT
Location: Cleveland Browns Stadium

Key Matchup: Matt Ryan vs Matt Roth

Opponent Preview: The secondary and linebackers of Atlanta are pretty rock solid, new rookie Sean Weatherspoon opposite of Mike Peterson makes an intimidating linebacker core, while veteran pickup Dunta Robinson in the secondary addresses the hole they had last season. The offense boasts tight end Tony Gonzalez with receivers Roddy White and Michael Jenkins, and Michael Turner in the backfield. Matt Ryan has plenty of targets if the offensive line can hold up to the pass rush.

Strategy: The left side of the defensive line is a glaring weakness in an otherwise tight defense. Unfortunately in Cleveland's case this means running behind Tony Pashos instead of Pro Bowler Joe Thomas. This game may be another where the talents of Mr Cribbs come into play with the Wildcat in hopes of confusing the defense. Atlanta has gotten much better, but they're still beatable.

Results: Atlanta 24, Cleveland 16

Week 6 @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Date: Sun, 10/17
Time: 1:00 PM EDT
Location: Heinz Field

Key Matchup: James Harrison vs Joe Thomas

Opponent Preview: Pittsburgh added depth in the offseason with the addition of Larry Foote and Bryant McFadden to the offseason, as well as addressing the heavily ignored offensive line with Maurkice Pouncey in the draft. Although they lost wide receiver Santonio Holmes, the reacquisition of Antwan Randle El and emergence of Mike Wallace last season softens the blow. The big question this game is if Ben Roethlisberger will be in the lineup and if so, the amount of rust he's carrying.

Strategy: This game will be old fashioned AFC North smash mouth football in this game. Last time Cleveland and Pittsburgh met up, Josh Cribbs stole the show in a 13-6 Browns victory. This time Troy Polamalu should be back and throwing will be significantly more difficult for Cleveland; expect to see more trick plays and Wildcat schemes to try and confuse the Steelers' linebackers.

Results: Cleveland 13, Pittsburgh 10

Week 7 @ New Orleans Saints

Date: Sun, 10/24
Time: 1:00 PM EDT
Location: Superdome

Key Matchup: Will Smith vs Joe Thomas

Opponent Preview: Don't expect to see a repeat version of 2009. While the trio of Brees, Colston and Bush makes for a high-powered offense, the defense is returning with an unproven linebacker core aside from Jonathan Vilma and a suspect secondary. Nobody doubts the offense—they'll still be high-scoring—but more shootouts this year appear likely. Assuming Darren Sharper returns another strong season, the secondary could give the Browns problems.

Strategy: Cleveland will need to put points on the board early and play flawless defense. Intermediate routes and checkdowns, combined with speed to the outside will likely be the game plan. If Sharper's knee isn't full recovered from surgery, Cleveland will probably target him with an aerial assault via Jake Delhomme and Mohamed Massaquoi.

Results: New Orleans 31, Cleveland 21

Week 8 @ BYE

Date: Sun, 10/31
Time: 5:00 PM EDT
Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Key Matchup: Writer's Liver vs Great Lakes Brewing Company

Results: TBD

Week 9 vs New England Patriots

Date: Sun, 11/07
Time: 1:00 PM EST
Location: Cleveland Browns Stadium

Key Matchup: Tom Brady vs Sheldon Brown

Opponent Preview: The Patriots may be in a transitional year as they rebuild for the success they enjoyed in the early 2000s, but it doesn't mean they don't already have a solid team. They added Florida standouts Brandon Spikes and Jermaine Cunningham in the draft, but they probably won't start this year. With even more young talent laying in wait (Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung) New England is staring down the barrel of another dynasty in the coming years. This year however, they will be relying on established defensive starters Jerod Mayo and Derrick Burgess to step up and teach the young linebackers. Offensively, New England boasts potentially one of the best receiver cores in the league, provided Wes Welker is healthy this season. Also, rookie tight end Rob Gronkowski will give Tom Brady another great checkdown option.

Strategy: Cleveland will have to get after them early. New England will be putting points up early, regardless of how well the Browns' defense plays. Look for the Browns to exploit the age of the outside linebackers Banta-Cain and Burgess by bumping the run to the outside edge. The Browns' No. 2 receiver, presumably Brian Robiskie, will also look to have a big game against inexperienced corner Darius Butler. Special teams will need to be flawless and look to cause turnovers if they want to keep the Brownies in this one.

Results: New England 37, Cleveland 17

Week 10 vs New York Jets

Date: Sun, 11/14
Time: 1:00 PM EST
Location: Cleveland Browns Stadium

Key Matchup: Braylon Edwards vs Eric Wright

Opponent Preview: There's a strong case being made that the Jets could be the team to beat in the AFC this year. A large part of that comes with incredible cast of additions to the team including LaDanian Tomlinson, Antonio Cromartie, Santonio Holmes, Jason Taylor, Brodney Pool, Vladimir Ducasse, and Kyle Wilson. Combining these new Jets with a near lockdown secondary featuring Darrelle Revis, and a fiery leader in Bart Scott at linebacker, the Jets will be a hard team to put down this season. If Mark Sanchez has a steady hand, they should go deep in the postseason.

Strategy: The only area of the Jets' defense that isn't flawless would have to be the defensive line. Shaun Ellis, Kris Jenkins and Mike DeVito have all had their injury concerns and, with the exception of DeVito, are getting up in age. Running the ball hard and early will be the key to success, throwing towards Revis is a death wish, and Cromartie is no easy defeat himself. Keeping the ball on the ground or using short checkdowns should move the chains consistently.

Results: New York 24, Cleveland 10

Week 11 @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Date: Sun, 11/21
Time: 1:00 PM EST
Location: Jacksonville Municipal Stadium

Key Matchup: Maurice Jones-Drew vs Browns' linebackers

Opponent Preview: Jacksonville's defense will get a big facelift this year from the pickups of linebacker Kirk Morrison, and two defensive linemen, Aaron Kampman and Tyson Alualu. Unfortunately for the Jaguars though, they did nothing to improve their weak offense consisting almost solely of David Garrard, Mike Sims-Walker and Maurice Jones-Drew. They'll need No. 2 receiver Mike Thomas to have a big sophomore season this year to keep any playoff talk alive.

Strategy: Cleveland seems to have the Jaguars' number each season, this year should be no different. While cornerback Derek Cox put together a solid season last year, opposite of him however is Reshean Mathis who looked shaky in coverage. Look for Jake Delhomme to test him early and often on deep routes, and for the running game to test the uncertain left side of the defensive line.

Results: Cleveland 27, Jacksonville 16

Week 12 vs Carolina Panthers

Date: Sun, 11/28
Time: 1:00 PM EST
Location: Cleveland Browns Stadium

Key Matchup: Steve Smith vs Sheldon Brown

Opponent Preview: For not having a first round pick this year, Carolina did a great job at starting to rebuild their offense. In the second round they grabbed quarterback Jimmy Clausen, and in the third netted a pair of young receivers Armanti Edwards and Brandon LaFell.

Running backs DeAngelo Williams and Johnathan Stewart make up an impressive backfield. If they can figure out their quarterback situation early, the Panthers are looking at a dynamic offense. On the other side of the ball, they're a pretty young defense. They'll be looking for Everette Brown, Charles Johnson and Louis Leonard to come up big on the line this season.

Strategy: Carolina's defense is made up of mostly younger players, so Cleveland will try and take advantage of the inexperience early on. Jake Delhomme knows the Panthers better than almost anyone, as he faced the defense in practice on a weekly basis for years. On the flipside, it also means the defense will know Delhomme's patterns. Look for a combination of Wildcat plays to keep them guessing and for Ben Watson to test the safeties.

Results: Cleveland 17, Carolina 10

Week 13 @ Miami Dolphins

Date: Sun, 12/05
Time: 1:00 PM EST
Location: Sun Life Stadium

Key Matchup: Vontae Davis vs Mohamed Massaquoi

Opponent Preview: The Dolphins were one of the busier clubs in the offseason, adding superstar receiver Brandon Marshall, linebacker Karlos Dansby and defensemen Jared Odrick and Koa Misi in the draft. With Chad Henne coming off a great season last year, and Ricky Williams' legal problems behind him, expectations are high. Although they may be in one of the most improved divisions in the league, competing against the Jets and Patriots, the playoff chatter is huge amongst Miami fans.

Strategy: Miami corner Sean Smith didn't have the kind of season he was hoping for last year, so he will be looking to step up in his sophomore season. Expect Browns' OC Brian Daboll to run the offense towards him all game when the ground game isn't pushing the left side of the line.

Results: Miami 28, Cleveland 18

Week 14 @ Buffalo Bills

Date: Sun, 12/12
Time: 1:00 PM EST
Location: Ralph Wilson Stadium

Key Matchup: Jairus Byrd vs Benjamin Watson

Opponent Preview: The 2010 draft saw the Bills adding Torell Troup and Alex Carrington to their defensive line. Combined with Jairus Byrd and Aaron Maybin last draft, the Bills' defense is back on track. With new coach and offensive mastermind Chan Gailey at the helm, it's expected he can get Trent Edwards back on the right path, while new rookie CJ Spiller can ease the pressure greatly. The offensive line looks a lot better, the receiving core should be the big issue now.

Strategy: Putting the ball in the air is like asking Byrd to take it to the house. Precision routes and checkdowns should allow Cleveland to move the chains down field. If Cleveland can eliminate turnovers, this one should be a blowout.

Cleveland 28, Buffalo 10

Week 15 @ Cincinnati Bengals

Date: Sun, 12/19
Time: 1:00 PM EST
Location: Paul Brown Stadium

Key Matchup: Jordan Shipley vs Joe Haden

Opponent Preview: Coming off a Cleveland loss, Cincinnatti will be looking for redemption. Expect the rookies to play a bigger role in this game with Jordan Shipley stepping up under Chad Ochocinco. I expect Shipley to settle into his role as the No. 2 receiver, while Joe Haden begins to take time away from Pro Bowler Sheldon Brown.

Strategy: Same strategies apply. By this time, one would hope Montario Hardesty has settled into his role as a dominant power runner. If not, Cleveland will probably get rolled in this one.

Results: Cleveland 20, Cincinnatti 17

Week 16 vs Baltimore Ravens

Date: Sun, 12/26
Time: 1:00 PM EST
Location: Cleveland Browns Stadium

Key Matchup: Sergio Kindle vs Shawn Lauvao

Opponent Preview: Again, I'll assume that Terrence Cody and Sergio Kindle are now in the lineup, being week 16 and all. Kindle will be rushing hard trying to prove himself and make a case for Defensive Rookie Of The Year, but he'll have to get through the young Samoan on Cleveland's line Shawn Lauvao.

Strategy: More of the same, barring an injury, Cleveland will look to throw at the corners again. Smashmouth football will probably be the norm by this game in a slugfest between Ray Rice and Montario Hardesty.

Results: Baltimore 24, Cleveland 20

Week 17 vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Date: Sun, 01/02
Time: 1:00 PM EST
Location: Cleveland Browns Stadium

Key Matchup: Ben Roethlisberger vs Eric Wright

Opponent Preview: With Charles Scott running behind Maurkice Pouncey, the Steelers running attack should receive a boost over an aging Willie Parker of last year. Whether it will be enough to get by a defensive line of Shaun Rogers, Ahtyba Rubin and Clifton Geathers or not, is no small task.

Strategy: Cleveland should look to pound the ball against an older defensive line. Just because the big names are there, doesn't mean they're at the same level they used to be. Youth and power will win out more often that not, but they'll have to be patient and let the game unfold.

Results: Cleveland 21, Pittsburgh 20

Final Prediction

Final Results: 9-7

Division Record: 4-2

Mike Holmgren's first year is in the books, posting a 9-7 record on the back of second round pick Montario Hardesty, and an average season by Jake Delhomme.

Notes:

-By the end of the season the rookie draft class is paying off, with safety Larry Asante seeing game time action in preparation of the departure of Abram Elam to free agency.

-Colt McCoy has seen no game time, true to the word of Mike Holmgren.

-TJ Ward survived without injury, and has given Browns fans a highlight reel of open-field hits, asserting himself as a fixture in the Browns' defense.

-Corner back Joe Haden captured the role from Sheldon Brown by the end of the season, with Brown moving to the nickel role.