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Cleveland Browns schedule: How do they fare against the NFC South matchups?

By Matthew McFatridge

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 23: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons drops back to pass in the first half against the Cleveland Browns at Georgia Dome on November 23, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 23: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons drops back to pass in the first half against the Cleveland Browns at Georgia Dome on November 23, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs for 17 yards during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on December 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs for 17 yards during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on December 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Week 7: Cleveland Browns @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

If this matchup were in week two instead of week seven, it would be a much more favorable game. Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston will miss the first three weeks of the regular season with a suspension, and while he has yet to fully live up to the expectations as a number one overall pick, he still gives the Bucs a much better chance at winning than anyone else on that roster.

2017 was meant to be the year the Buccaneers arrived. After two seasons of adding key pieces to their roster, including deep threat wide receiver DeSean Jackson to pair with the physical Mike Evans, the team was confident they would see success on the field. That never fully came to fruition, however, as the offense was far too turnover prone, and the defense was not able to force as many stops as their overall skill would indicate.

If this season doesn’t go well, Tampa could very well find themselves in a place where Cleveland fans know all too well – a quarterback drought. Should Winston struggle more in 2018, paired with his off-field issues, the team would have to consider the option of moving on.

As far as the on the field matchup goes, Cleveland is the better team. That’s crazy to think because even as early as last December you probably couldn’t have said that.

John Dorsey has done wonders to bring life to this Browns roster, and with new faces all around, especially in the backfield, the Browns could have a big day, especially considering Tampa Bay ranked 22nd in 2017 in defensive rushing yards allowed, according to NFL.com. The trio of Carlos Hyde, Nick Chubb and Duke Johnson, as well as the rest of the offense, could finally get their chemistry fully rolling forward in this midseason matchup.

Prediction: Cleveland wins 33-24 

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