Hello to the second half of the season. Let’s start with the good news, Kareem Hunt has been allowed to start practicing, however he is still suspended and won’t return to the playing field until week nine. But practicing for two weeks is great news. Kitchens said in his press conference today, they’re trying different players at different positions at practice. I would assume that means the offensive line and McCray and Teller practicing with the starters. I really don’t have a problem with the Browns OL. Mayfield stepped into the pocket against Seattle instead of rolling to his right and didn’t get sacked. Damarious Randall is day to day, but the depth at safety is good with Murray, Whitehead and Burris. Looks like Ward, Williams and Higgins will play baring something mysterious. So the Browns are full go for the late season run.
Yesterday was the bye week, but with Seattle losing to the ravens, it still felt like the Browns lost and now the ravens have a 2.5 game lead in the division. So lets look at the remaining schedules and see if the Browns can make up ground. The first test comes this week against New England. Hopefully the Patriots will roll over the Jets tonight and go into the Browns game 7-0. The Browns don’t need to play them at home when they’re mad. If the Browns can play error free football, have no stupid penalties and use the offense we all saw in Baltimore, they have a chance. The defense needs to play lights out and stop the run. The ravens have the bye week and the steelers host Miami on Monday night. So this week would be a nice opportunity for the Browns to take one game off the ravens lead.
Week 9, The Browns head to Denver and face another top ten defense, however the Denver offense is not very good. So, if there’s no let down like after the ravens game, the Browns should win in Denver. The ravens get the Patriots on Sunday night and hopefully New England is pissed off because they lost to the Browns and beat the ravens. The steelers host the Colts, so there’s a potential loss. Week 10 the Browns host the Bills, who have a top ten defense. If the Bills had a quarterback, I would worry about this game, but I think the Browns win this one. The ravens host the Bengals and the steelers host the Rams. Baltimore wins and the steelers lose.
Week 11 the Browns host the steelers on Thursday night and they should win this game as well. Baltimore hosts the Texans and hopefully the Texans take care of business and win. So after week 11, The Browns should be at least at 5-5, the ravens at 6-4 and the steelers at 3-8. Week 12, the Browns host Miami, another win and the ravens play at the Rams,another loss. The steelers are at the bengals, but by this time they’re both playing for draft position. Browns 6-5, the ravens 6-5 and the steelers who cares. Week 13, The Browns travel to Pittsburgh for Thanksgiving and the ravens host the 49ers. Don’t look now, the Browns are 7-5 and the ravens are 6-6. Week 14, the Browns host the bengals and the ravens go to Buffalo. After the dust settles the Browns are 8-5 and the ravens are 7-6.
Week 15, The Browns go on the road and play the Cardinals and the ravens host the Jets on Thursday night. Browns at 9-5 and the ravens at 8-6. Week 16, the Browns host the ravens with the division on the line. Browns win and are now 10-5 and the ravens are hoping for a wildcard bid at 8-7. Week 17, the Browns play at the bengals and the ravens host the steelers. Final standings, Browns 11-5 and the ravens 9-7. Now you’re looking at this and you’re saying, the Browns only lose one game the rest of the year? The team that’s turning the ball over like they’re handing out Halloween candy to little kids and being penalized for being on the field? Yep, that’s what I’m saying. There are potential landmines on the schedule, at Denver, at home verses the Bills and the steeler game in Pittsburgh. Win or lose, if the Browns play well at New England, that will answer a lot of questions. If the Browns beat the Patriots, then I want to see how they react at Denver.
For all this to play out, the Browns have to become the team we all saw after week 9 of last year. Clean, error free football, lots of motion on offense and a defense that can stop the run and create pressure. Plus no injuries. AND WIN AT HOME. Also the refs need to be average. Yes, at this point I’ll take average. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the Browns use both Chubb and Hunt in the backfield. I know Green Bay has done it this year and the ravens have Lamar Jackson and Mark Ingram in the same backfield, so it can work. As for the trade front, I hope Dorsey finds a interior defensive lineman and/or a linebacker. I still think Trent Williams isn’t going to happen. Like Dorsey said it takes two to tango and the redskins are one of the worst front offices in the league. What Dorsey can do is extend J.C. Trotter, he’s the Browns second best offensive lineman. On to New England and Go Browns.