The Cleveland Browns have formally hit “Riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma” standing. So long as they’ve a quarterback with some title recognition — be it Deshaun Watson or Joe Flacco — the crew performs with the arrogance of a way more harmful group. Kevin Stefanski’s membership may very well be motivated by the doubters, or the sect of soccer followers that don’t wish to speak about them as a result of they’re owned by a scumbag who traded for an alleged deviant, however no matter it’s, the Browns have a imply streak.
They’ve wins over each Baltimore and San Francisco, which no different crew within the league can boast, and are 8-2 with quarterbacks who’ve common beginning expertise within the NFL. That’s the baseline.
DeJoe Watco has thrown for two,422 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 11 picks, with a median completion share hovering round 60 p.c over 9 full video games. (Technically 10 begins, however Watson solely tried 5 passes towards Indianapolis earlier than leaving with harm. Cleveland went on to win that Week 6 contest, 39-38.)
Extrapolated throughout 15 video games, Watco is basically Matthew Stafford with slightly larger risk-reward. I don’t know what to make of Amari Cooper’s record-setting 265-yard efficiency. He’s not but 30, however feels as previous as Flacco in vast receiver years. Was it play design? Was Houston due for a stinker? What would you wager on Flacco eclipsing 265 yards passing towards the Jets on Thursday?
Whereas I wish to say that is unsustainable, individuals are asking if Flacco may very well be the subsequent Nick Foles, as if he wasn’t the unique Nick Foles. If Baltimore was as risky as that Carson Wentz-led Philadelphia crew, Flacco seemingly doesn’t maintain John Harbaugh and that franchise hostage for so long as he did.
No matter whether or not the Browns are precise contenders, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them beat Jacksonville within the first spherical after which shock a big-hitter within the divisional spherical. The Payments, Chiefs and Dolphins have all gone by durations of vulnerability this 12 months. Everyone seems to be on the Ravens after Monday evening’s showcase, however AFC North video games are notoriously bizarre. (Of the seemingly one-seed’s three losses, two got here towards AFC North foes.)
The Browns lead the NFL in whole offense allowed by greater than 400 yards. For context, 4 quarterbacks have thrown for extra yards than Cleveland has given up (3,905). They flip opponents over, knock the hell out of QBs and are high 10 towards the run. Should you may be that ornery when the quarterback room has mixed for 19 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, you need to have the league’s consideration.
It’s Cleveland, so soccer followers are conditioned to the opposite shoe dropping. You could possibly say some individuals are actively rooting for it contemplating the villain that’s Jimmy Haslem and Watson. (They’re the world’s worst buddy comedy that’s actually unconcealable.)
If anybody ever needed to speak concerning the Browns, we would speak about them extra. We’ll be compelled to in the event that they hold profitable after the calendar hits January. The elf on the sphere in all probability gained’t be acknowledged, however what else is new?
