Cleveland Browns: Week-by-Week Prediction of the Remainder of 2010
With the Cleveland Browns coming back from the bye, they will begin preparations for a very important and very possible run at a potential AFC Wild Card spot.
Many did not expect the Browns to contend for the NFL Playoffs, let alone a Wild Card spot, but considering the remaining schedule, it could very well with reach.
The Browns face nine teams with a combined 32-32 record with a overall .500 winning percentage and of those teams, the Browns face three with a losing record, Cincinnati, Buffalo and Carolina whom have a combined record of just 3-18 and a winning percentage of a paltry .142
One team with a .500 percentage in Jacksonville who is currently 4-4.
And five teams with a combined winning record of 25-10 and a winning percentage of .714 in New England, New York, Miami, Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
One thing I would like to try and point out is that Cleveland plays all of the plus .500 teams with the exception of Miami at home and while Cleveland travels down-state to play in Cincinnati and up the lake shore to play Buffalo, it should make for a interesting second half push and for some exciting football in the next nine weeks.
Week 9: Cleveland Browns Will Upset 6-1 New England Patriots
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The 6-1 New England Patriots come to Cleveland Browns Stadium in Week 9 in hopes of improved their getting their league leading seventh win, and while most pundits are picking New England to win easily, I think Cleveland will surprise some of the "experts"
While New England still has the prolific Tom Brady under center and the hooded mastermind in Bill Belichick, this Patriots team is different from the offensive juggernaut of years past, while there is no Randy Moss, they have Deion Branch, former Super Bowl MVP who is in sync once again with Brady like he never left.
New England wide receiver Wes Welker, is without question Brady's go-to guy as he is second on the team with 319 yards receiving.
Welker leads the Patriots in catches at 40 and touchdown catches with three.
For Cleveland to win they must contain the ever-deadly Welker underneath and wunderkind rookie, Aaron Hernandez fro Florida, who leads New England in receiving yards with 388.
Two potential sleepers that can take advantage of the Browns attention on Welker and Branch are wide receiver/return man, Brandon Tate who has 239 yard receiving along with one touchdown.
Tate also has 723 yards in kick return yards, most notably a 103 yard return in Week 4 vs Miami on Monday night.
Rookie tight end, Bruce Gronkowski, out of Arizona is tied with Wes Welker with three touchdowns.
The Patriots have a solid running game led by third year running back, BenJarvis Green-Ellis who has six touchdowns along with 371 yards rushing, Green-Ellis is complimented by third year back/receiver, Danny Woodhead who is second on the team in rushing with 178 yards rushing to go along with one touchdown.
Woodhead also has 178 yards receiving and one touchdown.
What is not talked about in the 6-1 start of the Patriots is their young and often at times inexperienced defense which gives up the next to last most number of yards per game at 282.4 which is 31st in the NFL.
If I'm Browns offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll, I would look for McCoy or Wallace to roll out of the pocket and take some shots in the intermediate part of the field with former Patriot and current Browns tight end, Benjamin Watson which should loosen up the stingy Patriot run defense which is 12th in the league at allowing 101.6 yards per game.
Look for Hillis to be deployed as a receiver out of the backfield and for McCoy to attack the Pat's secondary in the second Browns upset in three weeks and shock the NFL.
Browns 27 New England 24
Week 10: New York Jets Defense Will Ground Browns
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From top to bottom, the New York Jets are a stout test for the Cleveland Browns as they have all the makings of a legitimate Super Bowl contender, they have the third best rushing attack in the NFL led by former San Diego Charger and future Hall-of-Fame running back, LaDainian Tomlinson and second year running back out of Iowa, Shonn Greene.
Tomlinson who seems reborn in New York, leads the Jets ground attack with 544 yards and five touch downs. Greene is second with 345 yards rushing and one touchdown.
The Jets also boast a blossoming signal-caller in second-year quarterback, Mark Sanchez from USC who has 1,356 yards passing to go along with nine touchdown passes.
Sanchez's go-to guy is third-year tight end from Purdue, Dustin Keller who leads the Jet's in receiving with 388 yards receiving and five touchdowns.
Former Browns #1 pick, New York Jets wide receiver, Braylon Edwards is second on the Jets with 375 yards to go along with four touchdowns.
This game looks to deal the Browns a major set-back as the Jets bring into Cleveland the fourth best defense against the run at 87.8 yards per game which all but neutralizes Browns fullback, Peyton Hillis, and despite have All-World defensive back, Darrelle Revis, prowling in the secondary, the Jet's have the 18th best defense against the pass allowing 218.6 yards per game.
Look for Jets head coach, Rex Ryan to confuse and befuddle the Browns with blitzes and solid running. Also look for Braylon Edwards to haunt his former team in the form of two touchdowns in a rout.
Jets 31 Browns 3
Week 11: Cleveland Browns Shock Jacksonville Jaguars
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At this point Cleveland should either be 3-6 or at worst 2-7 heading into this tricky match-up with old AFC Central rival, Jacksonville on the road.
Jacksonville is a enigma, both vexing and dangerous at the same time.
The Jaguars possess one of the best multi-purpose running backs in the league in fifth year back, Maurice Jones-Drew from UCLA who currently has 645 yards rushing along with 153 yards receiving and two touchdowns and mobile and deadly QB in David Gerrard who has passed for 1,098 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Jaguars also have a deadly tandem at wide receiver with Mike Sims-Walker and Mike Thomas respectfully.
Mike Sims-Walker leads Jacksonville in yards receiving with 397 and tight end, Mercedes Lewis, leads the Jaguars with seven touchdowns.
What is perplexing and confusing about this team is that they are both dynamic and also under-acheving at the same time and to only be 4-4 in the AFC South with this level of talent is very disappointing.
Jacksonville has one of the 28th ranked passing offense in the league, passing for only a average of 181.4 yards a game, Jcksonville does run the ball well as they boast the 8th best rushing attack at 130.4 yards a game.
On defense is where I can see Cleveland winning this game, If they can contain Gerrard and prevent Jones-Drew from being a factor running and receiving then the Browns stand a chance.
On offense for the Browns, they can attack Jacksonville's 28th ranked pass defense with short quick passes and extend plays for big gains with Massaqoui and Cribbs deep.
Jacksonville also has the 22nd ranked run defense which allows 111.7 yards a game, so look for Hillis and Mike bell to be featured in tandem.
One amazing stat in this series is that the road team has won the last four meetings, with the exception of the Browns winning last year in Cleveland 23-17, the Browns have won the last two meetings.
Browns 27 Jacksonville 23
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Week 12: Cleveland Browns Tame Carolina Panthers
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The Carolina Panthers travel up north to play in what should be a very cold and possibly snowy late November game as Cleveland should be at least 3-1 in their last four games.
Carolina has a anemic offense which ranks near the bottom in passing at 31st averaging 165.9 yards a game and on the ground with a paltry 85.6 yards per game which is 28th in the league.
Add to the fact that you have two rookie wide receivers in Brandon LaFell and Mike Gettis plus a second-year start under center in Matt Moore and that is a recipe for a potential loss especially in cold snowy Cleveland.
With the weather looking to be a potential factor, look for Cleveland to pound the ball with Hillis and Bell again and also look for tight end, Benjamin Watson to have a big game as the 21st ranked Panther's run defense will be looking to stop the Browns vaunted running attack.
Look for McCoy to manage the game and not put the ball up much.
Browns 24 Carolina 10
Week 13: Miami Dolphins Snap Browns Win Streak
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Week 13 is the start of a very important three-game road trip for the browns which starts in Miami against a very solid Dolphins defense.
Unfortunately, I see the Dolphins winning this game handily as the Browns will have difficulty stopping the Dolphins ground game and Wildcat-offense.
Led by third year quarterback, Chad Henne, the Dolphins will attack mainly Eric Wright and the very young Browns secondary with their wide receivers, Brandon Marshall and Davone Bess out of the slot.
Also look for former Ohio State standout, Dolphins wide receiver, Brian Hartline to have a big game.
Cleveland who should be coming off of wins over Jacksonville and Carolina will wilt in the South Florida heat and the better overall talent of Miami.
I also expect McCoy to have one of his worst games as a Browns starting quarterback as he will be pressured by the Dolphins linebackers led by Karlos Dansby, who will look to bring constant pressure and be in McCoy's face constantly.
Dolphins 24 Browns 3
Week 14: Cleveland Outlasts Buffalo in Shootout, Petyon Hillis Has Career Game.
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In the second game of a three game road trip, the Browns travel up to winless Buffalo for what promises to be a explosive and very high-scoring affair.
Led by fifth year Harvard quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills fans are hearkening back to the days of Jim Kelly and Frank Reich.
Fitzpatrick has also made a lot of fantasy football players happy with his recent play in his last four starts as he has averaged 300 yards pass a game.
Buffalo does possess some talent at wide-out led by fantasy football gem, Bills wide receiver, Fred Jackson, Bedford native, Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish.
Jackson is the Bill's leading wide receiver with 409 yards receiving, 30 receptions and four touchdowns and is without question Fitzpatrick's main guy.
This game will be a match-up between Buffalo's Ryan Fitzpatrick and Cleveland's Peyton Hillis with the future of fantasy football championships at stake.
Cleveland has one of the worst pass defense's in the league playing on Fitzpatrick's home turf, Buffalo has the worst run defense in the league allowing 188.7 yards per game.
Look for Fitzpatrick to target Jackson as he will most likely be covered by Eric "Mr Wrong" Wright and get at least three touchdowns and look for Hillis to run for over 200 yards against the sieve-like Bills defense.
While the recent waiver wire acquisition of former Charge, Shawn Merriman will help slow down Hillis a bit, this will be a wild AFL-style shootout with the Browns winning on a late Phil Dawson FG.
Browns 41 Bills 38
Week 15: Bengals Beat Browns in Rematch, Carson Palmer Torchs Cleveland Again.
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The last of a three game road trip takes the Browns down to the Queen City for a game against in-state rival, Cincinnati.
This game is a rematch from a Cleveland 23-20 victory in week 3, which will best remembered for T.J ward's helmet-to-helmet hit on Bengals rookie wideout, Jordan Shipley, Ward would be fined $15,000 for the hit.
In this game, I look for Palmer to come out and torch his personal punching bag, which would be Cleveland.
Palmer is 8-2 in his career against Cleveland and has tossed the most number of TD passes against Cleveland, more than any other opponent.
I look for Cincinnati to attack Cleveland's secondary early, with the explosive tandem of Terell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, this game will also allow the Bengals to pound the ball on the ground with Cedric Benson.
Palmer leads the 6th ranked passing offense in the league against one the more suspect secondaries in the NFL and I see Palmer having another big day in a Bengals thrashing of Cleveland.
Bengals 31 Browns 10
Week 16: Ravens Feast All Over McCoy, Ravens Romp Over Browns
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Cleveland returns home to play their final two games against AFC North heavyweights, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, and let's just say that Cleveland's homecoming isn't quite what everyone is hoping for.
The Browns lost the first game, 24-17 in Baltimore, in that game Joe Flacco targeted Browns cornerback Eric Wright three times for touchdowns, all to Ravens wide receiver, Anquan Boldin.
In this re-match it will be less of that and more of Ray Rice and the solid Baltimore defense making life uncomfortable for Colt McCoy.
Look for Ravens running back, Ray Rice, to have a solid game with at least 110 yards and one TD and 45 yards receiving and for Ravens QB, Joe Flacco to be in game-management mode passing efficiently and when needed.
Weather could also play a possible factor.
The Baltimore secondary is not as vaunted as it once was and could give up some plays to Browns tight end, Benjamin Watson and possibly wide receiver, Mohammed Massaqoui but those will most likely come late and the game already decided.
Ravens 21 Browns 10
Week 17: Browns Upset Pittsburgh, Finish Season at 7-9
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In the Week 17 finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, I look for the Browns to finish strong and to put a monkey wrench into Pittsburgh's playoff hopes.
The Steelers will bring their feared #1 ranked run defense into Cleveland, most likely with some starters resting or in the hunt for a AFC North title with Baltimore and a playoff spot, what better way to end the season than to spoil that for Pittsburgh right?
Last time Pittsburgh came into Cleveland, they lost 13-6 behind eight sacks of Rothlisberger and the explosive play of Joshua Cribbs.
This time, I expect the Browns to come out with pride and take it to the Steelers physically with Hilllis running right into the heart of Pittsburgh's defense, if only to keep them honest and look for McCoy to be moved around the pocket on bootlegs and play-action passes deep.
The Steelers have the #1 defense against the run but are vulnerable to the pass as they give up the 25th most yards passing in the league at 245.1 and with either some starters resting and a less-than 100% Troy Polamalu, I look for the browns to take some chances downfield.
The reason why I say Polamalu is not 100 percent is that coming from a sprained MCL is not easy and most players are never quite the same, that being said look at Carson Palmer as a example.
More than likely it will be sub-zero temperatures and snowing, so once again look for the weather to play a factor in play-calling as both teams will try to establish some sort of running game. and whichever team can run the ball well will dictate the outcome of this one.
Rashard Mendenhall has a history of fumbles and may Pittsburgh in rushing touchdowns with six, he has also fumbled the ball three times in his brief career.
This should be another tough, hard-hitting and physical game.
Browns 14 Steelers 13
Browns Finish Season at 7-9, Have Hope For 2011-12 Season.
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In conclusion, I have the Browns finishing with a projected record of 7-9 and while the upsets of New England and Pittsburgh are theoretical, they are just that. In theory.
I look for the Browns to take serious steps toward the Playoffs in the 2010-11 season
The Browns will most likely continue to build through the draft and in projected order take a pass-rushing LB/DE, Pitt's Greg Romeus and Ohio State's Cameron Hayward come to mind and a true #1 wide receiver in the top portions of round #1 such as Georgia's A.J Green, Alabama's Julio Jones or even Pitt's Jon Baldwin.
The right side of the offensive line will need to be addressed either in free-agency or in the later rounds of the NFL Draft.
I also think they the Browns will try to pursue free-agent help in the positions of pass-rusher in wide receiver as well.
I look for Mangini to be retained for another year, but Daboll may be let go in favor of a more experienced West-Coast offensive coordinator, perhaps either Steve Mariucci or Marty Morninweg to help bring Colt McCoy along in the nuances of the system and help him take his next valuable steps in being a NFL starting quarterback.
With another year of McCoy under center along with a improved pass rush, plus talent at the skill positions and 2009 second round pick, Montario Hardesty coming back from season-edning knee surgery, look for the Browns to be a sleeper in 2011.
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