2008 AFC North: Will The Cleveland Browns Win It This Year?

Football ManiaxsJun 4, 2008

The AFC North is a division that has some of the best rivalries in the NFL. These teams and their fans really do not like each other. The Bengals appeared to be poised to dominate the division after an 11-5 record with a young offensive core in 2005. The Steelers beat them in the Wildcard Round, won the Super Bowl, and appeared to be in complete control of the division. The Bengals have been irrelevant since. The Steelers didn’t even make the playoffs after their Super Bowl win, and the 13-3 Baltimore Ravens reemerged in 2006. Then the Ravens crashed to 5-11 as the Steelers took back the division. Forgotten, have been the Cleveland Browns, who came out of nowhere to win 10 games in 2007. They were one of the biggest surprises in 2007. As big free agency spenders, they look to take the division for the first time since 1989.

The AFC North has been a wide-open race the last few years. Here is how I see the 2008 season playing out in the AFC North. Part II

Cleveland Browns

'07 Record: 10-6

Points Scored: 402 (eighth)

Points Allowed: 382 (21st)

Playoff Result: N/A

2008 Strength of Schedule: 140-116 (.547) (seventh (t) in NFL)

Strengths: The Browns had an offensive juggernaut in 2007 that was anything but expected. They looked like the worst team in the league in their 34-7 opening day loss to the Steelers. They did nothing well and Head Coach Romeo Crennel shipped his starting QB, Charlie Frye, out after the Week 1 debacle.

That was a puzzling move, but Derek Anderson responded with 328 yards and five touchdowns against the Bengals the very next week. He finished the season with 3,787 yards and 29 touchdown passes. He appears safe as the starter, but has an anxious Brady Quinn waiting in the wings. If Anderson struggles early, the calls for Quinn will come quick and loud.

The Browns have great talent at the skill positions. Braylon Edwards finally settled into the role of star receiver with 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns. He had that "magical" third year breakout season. Tight End Kellen Winslow, Jr also added 1,106 yards and five touchdowns. Both are young and coming into their own. They added Donte' Stallworth to the mix, which should really help the offense. He gives them a speedy threat opposite of Edwards, and should open up the middle of the field for Winslow. That puts Joe Jurevicius at his best position, which is a third receiver.

Jamal Lewis rediscovered his legs and had 1,304 yards and nine touchdowns. Keep in mind that four of those nine touchdowns came against Seattle, and 308 yards came in two games against Cincinnati. He needs to spread his production more evenly across the schedule. Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison played well in stretches last year, subbing for Lewis, and could contribute in a larger role this season.

Josh Cribbs is an excellent return threat and if it weren’t for Devin Hester (Bears), he would be looking to claim the title as best return man in the NFL. The Browns finished eighth in points scored in 2007. With another year together, they should be poised to do even better in 2008.

Weaknesses: The Browns had two weaknesses. First and foremost, it was the defense. It ranked 21st in points allowed, 30th in yards allowed, 31st in first downs allowed, 24th in passing yards allowed, and 27th in rushing yards allowed. This was one of the worst units in the league and prevented them from doing bigger things in 2007.

Enter a free agent spending spree. They signed Shaun Rodgers and traded a second round pick for Corey Williams. Andra Davis, D'Qwell Jackson, Willis McGinest, and Kamerion Wimbley are solid linebackers. The front seven should be improved with the addition of those two linemen. I expect them to stop the run better and put more pressure on the quarterback.

The problem is that they didn’t address the secondary. Sean Jones is a good safety and had five picks last year. They traded DB Leigh Bodden to the Lions in exchane for Shaun Rogers, and Daven Holly was lost for the season in May with an injury. Terry Cousin is going to be called on to play big minutes, and the Browns may have to go corner hunting on the waiver wire as they lack a shutdown corner. They didn’t have any draft picks to address the need with those picks belonging to Dallas (Quinn trade) and Green Bay (Williams trade).

That is not a good thing given the weapons the Steelers and Bengals have. They are going to need to score a lot of points, because their defense, while improved is still not among the strongest units in the NFL. The good thing is they are capable of doing that.

Prediction: I was tempted to pick Cleveland over the Steelers, because they have Denver and Buffalo on their schedule instead of San Diego and New England, but I resisted that temptation. I also wanted to pick the Browns based on their slew of offensive weapons. I thought better of it and remembered that the defensive component does help. While the Steelers have a tougher schedule, they have the better team, which usually comes out on top. Also, keep in mind the Brown won 10 games with an easy schedule in 2007. It figures to be more difficult this season.

Still, they are going to cause matchup problems for teams with their speed at wide receiver, and the points they can put up in bunches. They won with a bad defense last year, and they should be even better on offense in 2008. There is no reason this team cannot win 10 games. If they can do that, they should be back in the playoffs for the first time since 2002. It is much deserved for the "Dawg Pound," which has been thirsting for a winner for a long time.

2008 Cleveland Browns’ Record: 10-6 – AFC North second Place; AFC No. 6 Seed