The Cleveland Browns have formally hit “Riddle wrapped in a thriller inside an enigma” standing. So long as they’ve a quarterback with some title recognition — be it Deshaun Watson or Joe Flacco — the group performs with the boldness of a way more harmful group. Kevin Stefanski’s membership could possibly be motivated by the doubters, or the sect of soccer followers that don’t need 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 group 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 proportion hovering round 60 p.c over 9 full video games. (Technically 10 begins, however Watson solely tried 5 passes in opposition to 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 a bit of greater 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 He’s not but 30, however feels as outdated as Flacco in extensive receiver years. Was it play design? Was Houston due for a stinker? What would you wager on Flacco eclipsing 265 yards passing in opposition to the Jets on Thursday?
Whereas I need to say that is unsustainable, individuals are asking if Flacco could possibly be the subsequent Nick Foles, as if he wasn’t the unique Nick Foles. If Baltimore was as unstable as that Carson Wentz-led Philadelphia group, Flacco possible 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 stunning 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 way of durations of vulnerability this 12 months. Everyone seems to be on the Ravens after Monday night time’s showcase, however AFC North video games are notoriously bizarre. (Of the possible one-seed’s three losses, two got here in opposition to 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 in opposition to the run. If you happen to may be that ornery when the quarterback room has mixed for 19 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, it’s best to have the league’s consideration.
It’s Cleveland, so soccer followers are conditioned to the opposite shoe dropping. You possibly can 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 successful after the calendar hits January. The elf on the sector most likely gained’t be acknowledged, however what else is new?