The Browns have, arguably, the best quarterback from 2018 to 2019 on their roster and locked into a quarter of a billion dollar contract. Deshaun Watson just has to play like...well, Deshaun Watson. In theory, he is in his prime at 28 years old.
The Browns have, arguably, the best running back in the game in Nick Chubb.
The Browns have, arguably, the best defensive player in the NFL in Miles Garrett.
Ashley Bastock at the Cleveland Plain Dealer argues that cutdown day hits the Browns especially hard because they have "more that 53 NFL caliber players on their roster."
Sportsnaut: 10-7 Record, Second in AFC North
Pro Football Network: 11-6 Record, Third in the AFC North
Fox Sports: 9-8 Record, Third in the AFC North
Bleacher Report: 8-9 Record, Fourth in the AFC North
Why the lukewarm national predictions for a rising juggernaut? Because no one outside Cleveland believes Deshaun Watson is Deshaun Watson anymore. Everyone assumes either subpar play or an injury for the 2024 season. Since the end of 2020, Watson has only played 12 games due to either suspension or injury.
So when the Browns' final Preseason game came and went and Watson didn't play one snap due to "general soreness", the pundits continued to be non-believers.
The geeks at ESPN came up with the NFL Football Power Index which runs a simulated season through a computer over a thousand times. An average NFL season would play out to 0. A championship caliber season would arc out at +5.0 versus a terrible season predicted for -5.0. The computer takes all variables into account including injuries.
What do I think? That's a more complicated question.
Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam is desperate for a Billion Dollar Stadium, he NEEDS to win now. He thinks if his team goes to the Super Bowl, voters will surely build him a Football Palace. He's also afraid that if his team goes 4-13, the fans will take to the streets with pitchforks and torches and demand he SELL the team instead of building him a new stadium.
All those experts predicting 9-8 are hedging.
If Deshaun Watson plays all 17 games, the Browns will be 13-4.
If Deshaun Watson plays between 9 and 16 games, the Browns will be 10-7.
If Deshaun Watson plays 8 or under games, the Browns will be 6-11.
No one believes the formerly durable Watson is a superhero anymore.
Next week we'll see what the cheerleaders at cleveland.com have to say with their Orange tinted glasses.
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