Cleveland Browns 2011 Schedule: Game-by-Game Look at the Browns' Season
Despite the uncertainty that looms over the upcoming season, the NFL announced the schedule for 2011 on Tuesday evening.
Although the Browns have questions on both offense and defense, the emergence of quarterback Colt McCoy and running back Peyton Hillis gives fans reasons to be optimistic for success during the 2011 season.
Let's take a look at each of the games on the Browns' 2011 schedule, examine what the Browns will need to do in order to win and throw out a far-too-early prediction about how the Browns will fare in 2011.
Week 1: Home vs. Cincinnati
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Last year, the Browns earned their first win of the season against Cincinnati in Week 4. However, the Browns lost to Cincinnati in Week 16 in a close game in which the defense failed to stop the Bengals’ offense from running out the clock in the fourth quarter.
The Bengals are a team in transition this offseason. Carson Palmer may or may not return as quarterback. Chad Ochocinco, the face of the Bengals for several seasons, may be dealt. Terrell Owens, who had an up-and-down season, is a free agent and will most likely not return to the team. Cedric Benson, the Bengals’ running back over the past two seasons, also is a free agent. In order to win, the Browns' defense must shut down Cincinnati's offense.
Nevertheless, the Bengals’ defense still makes them a viable opponent. Cornerbacks Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall are two of the league’s best young cornerbacks. Consequently, the Browns will most likely serve up a steadily helping of Peyton Hillis and do their best to keep Colt McCoy out of harm’s way.
Prediction: Browns win a close game
Week 2: Away vs. Colts
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For the purposes of this analysis, we’ll assume that the Colts will re-sign Peyton Manning.
Regardless of where they play, the Colts are a tough opponent. However, the Colts are especially tough to beat in the friendly confines of Lucas Oil Stadium. Although injuries and inconsistency have made the Colts’ passing game less powerful than in years past, Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne are one of the most reliable quarterback-receiver tandems in football. Shelden Brown, Joe Haden and the Browns’ other cornerbacks will be challenged all game long and must play well if the Browns intend to have a chance at winning.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Browns will need to slow down Dwight Freeney, the Colts’ dynamic and disruptive defensive end. If the Browns do not do so, Freeney and the raucous Colts home crowd could make life very difficult for Colt McCoy. Once again, the Browns will most likely hand the ball off to Peyton Hillis and allow him to run over, jump over and spin around defenders all game long. However, the Browns' offense will be simply unable to keep pace with the Colts' potent offense.
Prediction: Browns lose
Week 3: Home vs. Dolphins
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Last season, the Browns defeated Miami on a last-second field goal by Phil Dawson. This game features a matchup between two run-first teams, and it is unlikely that this game will be decided before the fourth quarter.
The Dolphins are another opponent in a state of transaction. Opposing defenses have gradually found a way to tame the Dolphins’ formerly powerful Wildcat offense, and the oft-injured Ronnie Brown and the aging Ricky Williams are no longer the fearsome tandem that ran wild over opposing defenses in past seasons.
The Dolphins’ quarterback situation is also relatively unsettled. Chad Henne has been less than stellar behind center for the Dolphins, and the Dolphins may opt to find another quarterback in the offseason. Regardless of who is throwing the ball, the Browns must shut down Brandon Marshall, the Dolphins’ standout wide receiver. Marshall's combination of size and pass-catching ability makes him a tough cover for any team, and defensive coordinator Dick Jauron will need to figure out a way to contain him if the Browns expect to win.
The Dolphins’ defense is solid, with Pro Bowl linebacker Cameron Wake leading the charge. If he is not contained, Wake will make life difficult for Colt McCoy. Other Dolphin standouts include Karlos Dansby and Vontae Davis.
Prediction: Browns win in another close game
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Week 4: Home vs. Tennessee Titans
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The Titans will be visiting Cleveland with a relatively new head coach in Mike Munchak and a new quarterback. At this time, the Titans’ quarterback situation is a question mark. Owner Bud Adams has stated that Vince Young will not be the team’s quarterback next season. However, no other quarterback on the roster is a viable replacement for Young.
The Browns’ success in this game will depend on whether they can stop Tennessee’s dynamic Chris Johnson. If the Browns limit his yardage and force the Titans to defeat them through the air, the game will be extremely close. If the Browns fail to contain Johnson, the Browns will have a tough time winning. Unfortunately for the Browns, they struggled to contain speedy running backs such as Maurice Jones-Drew last season, and they may not have enough talent to stop Johnson from controlling the game and compensating for a weak passing attack.
Prediction: Browns fail to contain Chris Johnson in the fourth quarter and lose a close game.
Week 5: Bye Week
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The Browns' bye week comes relatively early in the season this year.
Week 6: Away vs. Oakland Raiders
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Few teams have suffered as much quarterback instability as the Browns in recent years. One of those teams is the Oakland Raiders. In recent years, the Raiders have started a variety of quarterbacks, none of whom had any level of prolonged success.
The Raiders will most likely feed the Browns a steady diet of Darren McFadden and do their best from requiring whomever suits up at quarterback to win the game with their arm. However, after being torched by Chris Johnson in Week 4, the Browns will spend the bye week figuring out how to stop the run, and McFadden will not be able to carry the Raiders to victory.
The Raiders’ relatively underrated defense could make life very difficult for Colt McCoy and the Browns’ offense. If Nnamdi Asomugha returns to the Raiders, Colt McCoy will need to know where he is on every single play in order to avoid interceptions.
Prediction: Another week, another close game and another Browns win
Week 7: Home vs. Seattle Seahawks
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Coach Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks shocked many last season by defeating the defending champion New Orleans Saints in the playoffs. Marshawn Lynch’s heroic run in which he broke tackles from scores of Saints defenders will go down in history as one of the all-time greatest touchdown runs in a playoff game, and he will no doubt be looking to repeat the feat throughout the 2011 season.
Matt Hasselbeck is a savvy veteran quarterback, and the Browns will need to pressure him early and often to prevent him from picking apart the secondary.
Prediction: Browns lose in a close game
Week 8: Away vs. San Francisco 49ers
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This game will feature a matchup of two rookie head coaches in the 49ers’ Jim Harbaugh and the Browns’ Pat Shurmur.
While the 49ers’ offense sputtered during much of last season, they feature three potent weapons in running back Frank Gore, tight end Vernon Davis and wide receiver Michael Crabtree.
The big question mark for the 49ers has been at the quarterback position. If the 49ers are able to obtain a solid quarterback in the offseason, they could be a strong contender to win the NFC West, and they also could win this game. However, given the lack of quality quarterbacks on the free agent market this offseason, the 49ers may be forced to address this position through the draft.
On defense, Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis will do his best to slow down and contain Peyton Hillis. If Willis is able to keep Hillis from having a big game, this could be a very close game.
Prediction: Browns win in yet another close game. However, of all of the games that I believe the Browns will win this season, this is the one that I believe they could lose.
Week 9: Away vs. Houston Texans
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The Texans were one of the NFL’s biggest disappointments last season. Many observers believed that last season would be the season in which the Texans finally made the playoffs. However, the Texans could not overcome the play of their woeful defense and subsequently missed the playoffs. The addition of Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator should immediately improve the defense, which features standout defensive end Mario Williams and linebacker Brian Cushing.
On offense, the Texans’ powerful trio of quarterback Matt Schaub, wide receiver Andre Johnson and running back Arian Foster will pose an incredible challenge for the Browns’ defense. While the Browns' secondary is one of the strong points of the team, Johnson is one of the top two receivers in the NFL, and the Browns will struggle to contain him. If the Browns focus too strongly on stopping Johnson, Foster could have a huge game.
Prediction: Browns lose
Week 10: Home vs. St. Louis Rams
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The St. Louis Rams will be a familiar opponent for Browns head coach Pat Shurmur. Prior to coming to Cleveland, Shurmur served as the quarterback coach for the Rams.
The Rams’ success in this game will depend on whether they are able to acquire a talented wide receiver in the offseason. Quarterback Sam Bradford had a far better rookie season than anyone had expected, especially considering that Mark Clayton, his best wide receiver, was lost to injury early in the season. The Rams also have Steven Jackson, one of the five best running backs in the NFL. Jackson is a solid runner and receiver, and the Browns must stop him if they intend to win.
Prediction: Pat Shurmur beats his old team in a close game
Week 11: Home vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
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The Browns' loss to Jacksonville was one of the most disappointing games of the season. The Browns failed to capitalize on several Jacksonville turnovers, and the bad taste of last year's loss will surely be in the mouths of the Browns when they take the field in Week 11
This game comes down to whether or not the Browns can slow down Maurice Jones-Drew, the focal point of the Jaguars’ offense. Last season, the Browns failed to do so, and Jones-Drew racked up over 100 yards rushing and almost 100 yards receiving. Mike Thomas, one of Jacksonville's young wide receivers, showed potential last season, and he will have the opportunity to step up and be Jacksonville's primary wide receiver this season.
Prediction: Browns win in another close game
Week 12: Away vs. Cincinnati Bengals
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The Browns always seem to struggle in Paul Brown Stadium against the Bengals. This will be the second matchup between the two teams this year. If the Bengals opt to draft a quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft, they may be starting him by this point in the season.
Prediction: Browns win
Week 13: Home vs. Baltimore Ravens
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This is when the Browns' schedule begins to get extremely difficult. If the Browns intend to seriously contend for the playoffs this season, they must rack up wins early in the season, because the last quarter of the season features several tough matchups against division rivals Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
The Ravens are an extremely tough team to beat. Joe Flacco has matured significantly as a quarterback over the years. His development will allow the Ravens to have more of a balanced offense, making the Ravens an even tougher opponent. The speedy Ray Rice is a threat as both a runner and receiver and it is likely that the Browns will struggle to contain him. Anquan Boldin is a tough matchup at wide receiver, and he burned the Browns in their first meeting last season.
On defense, the ageless Ray Lewis will lead an attack that also features standout Haloti Ngata at nose tackle and Ed Reed at safety.
Prediction: Browns lose
Week 14: Away vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
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Needless to say, the Steelers are a very talented team who pose a variety of problems for the Browns on both sides of the ball. On offense, the Browns will be forced to shut down running back Rashad Mendenhall while simultaneously ensuring that the speedy Mike Wallace does not slip through the defense for a long touchdown reception. Big Ben is a quarterback that easily handles blitzes and pressure, and the Browns will be forced to limit their mistakes on defense if they intend to keep the game close.
Colt McCoy’s maturation at quarterback will be tested in this game. The Steelers’ ferocious blitz and loud Heinz Field crowd will attempt to make life difficult for McCoy. Additionally, this Thursday night game will be nationally televised, which only adds to the stakes and pressure for both teams. While the Steelers are used to playing in pressure situations, the Browns are not. If McCoy is able to handle the pressure and blitz and help the Browns' offense move the ball, the game may be closer than anticipated.
Prediction: Browns lose
Week 15: Away vs. Arizona Cardinals
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Last season, quarterback instability limited the Cardinals’ formerly potent air attack. Having left Cleveland for Arizona with a great deal of animosity towards Browns fans, former Browns quarterback Derek Anderson would probably love to have the opportunity to defeat his old team. However, given his performance last season, the Cardinals will most likely only play him if their starter is injured.
The Cardinals’ potent receiving tandem of Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston will be tough for the Browns to slow down, especially if the Cardinals acquire a decent starting quarterback in the offseason. If Beanie Wells is able to emerge as a consistent running back, the Cardinals’ offense could be very respectable.
On defense, Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rogers-Cromartie will attempt to be a thorn in Colt McCoy's side all game long, and he will need to keep the ball away from him.
Prediction: Browns win
Week 16: Away vs. Baltimore Ravens
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This will be the second matchup between these teams. By this point in the season, the playoff picture will be coming into focus, and this game will most likely have playoff implications for one or both of the teams involved.
Prediction: Browns lose again to the Ravens
Week 17: Home vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Browns again end the season at home against the hated Steelers. By this time, the Steelers may have already clinched a playoff spot. Nevertheless, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin rarely rests his starters for a full game. However, the level of competition among the teams in the AFC North this season may mean that this game has playoff implications for one or both of the teams involved.
Prediction: Tough call. If the Steelers have clinched a playoff spot and the Browns are fighting for a playoff spot, expect the Browns to come out swinging and for the home crowd to propel the Browns to victory. If both teams are fighting for a playoff spot, this could be one of the most intense matchups in history between the two teams. Unfortunately for the Browns, the Steelers' talent and experience would be the difference.
Conclusion
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Admittedly, these predictions are a bit premature.
The Browns' chances at success in 2011 could take a turn for the worse if Colt McCoy fails to develop as a quarterback, if the defense has difficulty adjusting to the new 4-3 scheme or if key players such as Peyton Hillis succumb to injury.
However, the Browns could once again surprise the NFL if Hillis repeats the success of his breakout season, the team avoids serious injuries and the Browns' young receiving corps improves and provides McCoy with an array of solid targets.
Needless to say, the 2011 season will be yet another exciting and memorable season for the Cleveland Browns, and Browns fans should hope that the labor situation is resolved so that the team has the chance to go out and demonstrate its improvement this fall.
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