Cleveland Browns: 5 bold predictions for the 2016 season

Browns will finish 7-9

This prediction may be the boldest of them all. Fans always enter each season with some sense of optimism, even if it is only in their subconscious, but it is hard to maintain after a few brutal, early losses.

The Browns, universally expected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL, have the ability to surprise fans this year and begin the march toward becoming a playoff team.

That does not mean the team will make it this year, but a 7-9 record would be a great first step.

The key to finishing with this record is to win at least two games in the division, which is not an easy task for this young team.

This record would be just as surprising as when the 2014 Browns went 7-9, but five straight losses to end that season marred what could have been a playoff season.

The first four predictions in this post would have to come true for the Browns to achieve this record, as the team’s best players have to be at or near a Pro Bowl level for the Browns to get out of the basement of the AFC North.

Next: Hue Jackson and Browns coaching debuts

While the national consensus sees the Browns finishing with three or four wins, the leadership of Hue Jackson will help the team avoid those late losses that should have been wins, such as the overtime loss to Denver and the blocked field goal return against the Ravens last year. Those two games should have been wins, and this year’s team will find a way to win these types of games.