Well it's September 8th and the 2011 edition of the Cleveland Browns is officially right around the corner. I'm usually not one to brag all that much, but I like to think that I'm pretty good when it comes to making season predictions. If you read an earlier blog I wrote a year or so ago on the future of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise, you'll see at the end I was right on the money. Getting back to the topic at hand, one of my favorite things to do come fall is talk amongst friends and debate the always popular question, "So what do you think the Browns are gonna be like this year?" That simple short question can lead so many different directions and spark hours of conversation, so I figure what better way to answer that question and test your prediction than by putting it into text. Not only will I do my best to predict the winner, but I'll also give a short explanation as to why my favorite team will win or lose. As always, I'd love to hear your input and predictions. If I like what I hear from people, I plan on writing a blog including your predictions and will crown a champ at the end. But anyways, enough foreplay, let's get to it...
Week 1 - vs. Cincinnati
This one's relatively easy, Browns take this game against their inner-state rivals without much resistance. The Bengals franchise is simply in shambles, and with two upcoming rookies in Dalton and Green running the show on Offense, it's rather apparent to see why the Browns SHOULD win this game and start the season 1-0. But as we've all learned in CLE, nothing can be taken for granted:
Browns win - Record 1-0
Week 2 - @ Indianapolis
As you look up and down the Browns schedule, there are many games that could go either way, and to me, none are more deserving of falling under that catagory than this one. My prediction for this game, and take it as you will, comes simply from where the game is being played. If this game was to be played in Cleveland, I'd give the Browns a slight edge. But because that is not the case, and because of the fact Indy will be coming off a week 1 loss at the hands of the Houston Texans, I say Indy is more than desperate for a win and does all it needs to get it against CLE, even without Peyton leading the troops:
Browns Lose - Record 1-1
Week 3 - vs. Miami
I've went back and forth on this game a couple of times, but ultimately think it comes down to Miami's lack of experience and skill at the QB position and the Browns ability to run the ball successfully with their bruising back Peyton Hillis. There's not much to this one:
Browns win - Record 2-1
Week 4 - vs. Tennessee
Although TEN has what could prove to be the best RB in pro football this upcoming season, that is ultimately all that they have. Their progression on building a Defense has digressed and the passing game being led by beat up veteran Matt Hasselbeck, I think it's only a matter of time before we see rookie Jake Locker leading that offense. Browns throw for a couple TD's in this one:
Browns win - Record 3-1
Week 5 - BYE WEEK
Bye Weeks are the worst...
Week 6 - @ Oakland
Oh Oakland, the team that every single year makes a crazy move in the off-season or draft in an attempt to wow the fans and sell tickets, may actually be getting better. I expect big things from Darren McFadden this year, and think J. Campbell does enough this game to get past Cleveland. Oh yeah, and the game's being played in the Black Hole:
Browns Lose - Record 3-2
Week 7 - vs. Seattle
As most of us saw during the playoffs last year, Seattle is one of the hardest stadiums to play at in America. I mean, even the SOUNDERS are practically sold out every game! When it comes to the product they put on the field this year, I think the Browns take advantage of the very lackluster Defense Seattle has put together and wins this game rather easily, not to mention Tarvaris Jackson is #1 on their Depth chart:
Browns Win - Record 4-2
Week 8 - @ San Francisco
I'll be as blunt as I can about this, San Fran straight scares me this year. The playmakers on offense have the potential to be out of this world scary. Gore, Davis, and Braylon on offense are enough to make me give this match up to the 49ers:
Browns Lose - Record 4-3
Week 9 - @ Houston
I feel like if I really described my feelings about this match up it would sound much like the previous one. Houston is going to win the AFC South this season behind the loads of talent on offense. Who on the Browns is up for the task of guarding Andre Johnson and Arian Foster? Chalk up another one IMO:
Browns Lose - Record 4-4
Week 10 - vs. St. Louis
Sam Bradford is a flat out stud, but he simply doesnt have the playmakers yet to turn that team into a bonified playoff caliber team, and because of that I give this match up to CLE. The STL defense is lackluster at best, and Peyton Hillis should have his way in this game:
Browns Win - Record 5-4
Week 11 - vs. Jacksonville
JAX blatantly just declared this season a rebuilding year just a day or so ago by cutting their starting QB David Garrard and will turn the reins over to rookie Blaine Gabbert. Even though I see a bright future for Gabbert and they have one of the best RB's in the league in MJD, I see the browns passing attack carving up the Jaguar D:
Browns Win - Record 6-4
Week 12 - @ Cincinnati
Let's just be blunt about it, Bungals still stink, and will continue to stick for the rest of this season:
Browns Win - Record 7-4
Week 13 - vs. Baltimore
With 4 of the final 5 games being against either BAL or PIT, this game at home is the only one I give to the Browns. Coming into this game off of a 3 game win streak and eyes on making the playoffs, I think the rushing attack of Peyton Hillis stuns Ray Rice and the fiesty Baltimore Ravens. I expect the WCC to get under Baltimore's skin in this game and Cleveland comes out with a HUGE win:
Browns Win - Record 8-4
Week 14 - @ Pittsburgh
Anybody remember what happened last year when the Browns went to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers? Yeah, it was bad, really bad. Expect this seasons result to be the same. I anticipate the Steelers fighting for their playoff lives at this point and plan to take it out on the Browns in week 14:
Browns Lose - Record 8-5
Week 15 - @ Arizona
This game is a pretty intriguing one, in that the Browns will just be coming off of their toughest game of the year at PIT. However, I see the Cardinals stumbling a little this year as they try and adapt to the new faces in camp. Although this will be week 15 and they will have plenty of time to gel, I expect the browns will be prepared and focused on D, and have I mentioned a guy by the name of Peyton Hillis? He will just be too tough on a Cardinal defense that leaves little to be desired:
Browns Win - Record 9-5
Week 16 - @ Baltimore
Everytime I think of the Browns playing at Baltimore, I think back to a Sunday Night game a couple of years ago in which the Browns looked completely over matched in those horrible ugly brown pants. Anyone remember the pick 6 by Ed Reed in the red zone? Those mental images scar me to this day, and playing in the Ravens Nest is simply just too much to overcome in the heat of a playoff run:
Browns Lose - Record 9-6
Week 17 - vs. Pittsburgh
Well, IMO it all comes down to this. Due to an easy schedule and many favorable games being played at home, I actually think the Browns have a slight chance of making the playoffs this year. Call me crazy, but I think with a little luck it could happen. Unfortunately, we have to get through PIT is week 17 in order to make the playoffs, and that just doesn't seem feasable if both teams are fighting for a playoff spot:
Browns Lose - Record 9-7
Ultimately, I think the Browns miss the playoffs this year by one lousy game, and that prediction is a pretty big step for me. I am usually a pessimist when it comes to Cleveland sports, simply because of the heartaches that we have all had to suffer over the past 20 years or so of our lives. An example would be last years prediction. I said the Browns would go 4-12 last year, and it turns out I wasn't that far off. As I sum this up, keep your heads up Browns fans. I really feel as though the Browns are only one draft and a couple big FA's away from really turning heads in the NFL. But until that happens, enjoy this years 9-7 season! Who knows, teams have made the playoffs with that record on more than one occasion in the past!
Go Browns!
-Shane Clugh
"Be iKonic"
