Cleveland Browns approaching toughest stretch in schedule

The Cleveland Browns have started off the year with a 1-3 record after the first four games of the 2015 NFL season. Many will say this is a devastating start to the season while others simply expected it. The most unfortunate part is, these first four games were most likely the easiest stretch for Cleveland.

In the 12 remaining games for the Browns, they only face three teams with a losing record. The Baltimore Ravens (1-3) twice, the San Francisco 49ers (1-3) and the Kansas City Chiefs (1-3). Of course, the Browns play this week at Baltimore as they battle for the bottom of the AFC North.

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For those who think the Ravens are just as bad as the Browns, don’t forget they’ve played two undefeated teams this season in the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals, both in which they almost won. Also, in the Browns last 14 meetings against the Ravens they have lost 13 out of the last 14 games. Joe Flacco is still an elite QB in this league that can torch most defenses even without viable weapons aside Steve Smith Sr. at the receiver position, as he has proved this year.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ three losses were also at the fate of the Bengals, Broncos and their latest lost was at the Green Bay Packers (yes, they’re undefeated too). Quite the difficult schedule for the Chiefs as their upgraded offense has finally started to get going with Jeremy Maclin becoming the first Chiefs wide receiver in over a season to haul in a touchdown. With Alex Smith playing decent at QB, Jamaal Charles healthy at RB and TE Travis Kelce looking like a pro bowler, I don’t see the Browns winning against them week 16.

As for the San Francisco 49ers all of their losses came from the undefeated Green Bay Packers, the Arizona Cardinals (3-1) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) while their lone victory came against the Minnesota Vikings. This should be the easiest game left for Cleveland as RB Carlos Hyde and QB Colin Kaepernick have struggled along with the deteriorated defense.

The rest of the schedule is an absolute train wreck waiting to happen. It highlights some of the best defenses in the NFL including the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, St. Louis Rams and of course our division rivals, twice.

The only team of those just mentioned that rests outside of the top-15 in total defense so far this season is the Ravens. That leaves 8 games remaining against top-15 defenses, with Denver, Seattle and Arizona all in the top-5 in the league.

The bottom line is as Browns fans’ hope begins to dwindle four weeks into the season already, it’s unfortunately only going to get worse.

Considering the difficulty of the upcoming stretch in the schedule, this is why Browns head coach, Mike Pettine, is sticking with Josh McCown. His veteran leadership and experience gives Cleveland much better chances to win against the developed defensive schemes they will be facing, opposed to throwing Manziel into the wolves only to lower his confidence.

McCown threw for 356 yards and two touchdowns while completing 32 of his 41 passes with zero turnovers last week against San Diego. Rookie RB Duke Johnson also looked solid as he added nine catches and totaled over 100 all-purpose yards. Despite the good effort, it wasn’t enough to stay afloat with a .500 record after a penalty called back the initial missed field goal, which gave the Chargers another chance that they converted on.