Handicapping the Browns Chances For the Remainder of the 2(0-16) Schedule
The hopes of the Browns winning a game is on Cody Kessler's shoulders for the remainder of the 2016 season.
Ugh.
Is probably what most fans of the Browns are saying. Yes, I am not a Browns fan, but following the Detroit Lions for years and seeing their debacle in 2016, I can easily relate to what is going on off the Lake. It is awful to see it and while I have never liked ANY Cleveland team (Indians-Tigers & Cavs-Pistons) and then you have the whole Ohio-Michigan thing going on top of it, I have a semi-soft spot for the Browns.
This isn't a kick the Brownies while they're down bit. In all honesty they have played. It shows the talent level is really LOW for Cleveland. The joke has been that Alabama could beat the Browns. First off, while I love Alabama, that is a stupid thing to say because you are talking about a different level of play. But back to where I am getting at, the Browns just seem like they are not a team that can match any NFL team. You saw possibly that the Jets could have been Cleveland's first win, or Tennessee, or Baltimore Thursday. Obviously it hasn't happened. So sitting at 0-10, there are 6 games left for the Browns to join the 2008 Detroit Lions for utmost futility. And I think there could be a game or two or even three for the Browns to break the doughnut. The good news is that there are 4 home games left and it isn't like Cleveland sees Dallas, New England, Denver, or Oakland on the schedule where that could be nailed as automatic losses (well, Dallas & New England again). So let's examine the Browns chances
November 20 vs. Pittsburgh: This could be one to really pay attention to. The Steelers are not playing great. Roethlisberger probably came back too soon and the offense has struggled in the last few weeks. Add the fact that this is a fierce rivalry and the game is in Cleveland will be a great shot at winning a game. But again, you have a bit more talent on the Steelers side like Antonio Brown (if he can get the ball again), Le'Veon Bell, and a defense that can show up at times. The Steelers would not accept being the Browns first and maybe only win of the season. CHANCES OF CLEVELAND WINNING: 4/10
November 27 vs. New York Giants: Seems like New York is rolling at the right time. They have won 3 straight but have a big game against the Bengals before this game. If all goes to as planned, I think the Giants will win in Cleveland. But we have seen from time to time the G-Men fall asleep behind the wheel and have an unexplainable/inexcusable loss. But it feels most of the times that when the Giants have that, it is during their rivalry games with Dallas, Philadelphia, or Washington if any of those three teams are bad. CHANCES OF A BROWNS WIN: 3/10
December 11 vs. Cincinnati: Another rivalry game and the Bengals haven't looked as powerful as they have in the past. At that time, the schedule will not be as favorable either (road games with the Giants and Baltimore while having to face Buffalo and Philadelphia). If the Bengals go to that game slumping, the Browns have a far better chance. I don't see the Bengals going complete 1991-2004 where they crash & burn in this run, but I don't know if Cincy will be making a playoff push by then. While the Bengals beat the Browns, the game was competitive for a good part of the game before Cincinnati pulled away late. It all depends if Kessler can be an adequate quarterback in this game. CHANCES OF A BROWNS WIN: 5/10 (sorry to any Bengals fans who might think I have lost my mind, but it feels like something is missing with this team compared to the last few years).
December 18 @ Buffalo: The Bills are another unpredictable squad. They looked great earlier and many thought could give the Patriots a run for their money in the AFC East. Then they have fallen flat on their faces. The game is at Buffalo, but the Bills are only .500 there and the defense hasn't been great at all. That said, if the Browns haven't won a game yet, the team will feel pressure of trying to win before the season ends. This game probably doesn't bode well. CHANCES OF A BROWNS WIN: 2/10
December 24 vs. San Diego: This is when it gets really intriguing if Cleveland is winless by this point. We don't know if San Diego is going to be in the playoff race by then. We're talking 14 games in at this point and the Chargers see a nice blend of competitive squads. Looking at it by eyeball of the Chargers schedule, they will be fighting with the rest of their division foes (and all of them are playing great by the way) and will have to take a rare trip out to Carolina (to be fair, the Chargers won in Atlanta), but the Panthers are playing better themselves. Let's say the Chargers are in the thick of it: the pressure is on San Diego just as much. And Philip Rivers, while he is a great quarterback, is also a combustible one at times. If the Browns are able to jump early, the Chargers are in big trouble. And San Diego will probably be playing in an element they are not accustomed to and on Christmas Eve. This could be the game the Browns might actually pull one out especially given the Chargers injury woes on top of it. And San Diego has a knack of choking as well.....both historically and even this year. BROWNS CHANCES OF WINNING: 6/10
January 1 @ Pittsburgh: Road game in Pittsburgh, especially if the Steelers are in the thick of it? Better hope the Browns have won a game by then. BROWNS CHANCES OF WINNING: 1/10.
The one thing I did not factor was the Browns last few weeks where they have looked all but listless against Baltimore and Dallas and that could play into the psychology of the players thinking they cannot compete with any NFL team. They have had chances this year in Miami, against the Jets, and stood tough against the Titans (though the latter two are considered bottom-half NFL squads and Miami being a middle-of-the-road team), but haven't pulled through. If the players have already clocked out under Hue Jackson, that's it. But if Jackson keeps the team fighting in games, I think there has to be a shot for the Browns to notch a win before all is said & done.
-Fan in the Obstructed Seat
