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USA Today predicts the Cleveland Browns win five games in 2018

By Dan Justik

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 11: Guard Joel Bitonio #75 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after kicker Travis Coons #6 of the Cleveland Browns kicked an overtime field goal to defeat the Baltimore Ravens 33-30 during a game at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 11: Guard Joel Bitonio #75 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after kicker Travis Coons #6 of the Cleveland Browns kicked an overtime field goal to defeat the Baltimore Ravens 33-30 during a game at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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With the moves made by the Browns this off-season, there is an expectation that the team makes a massive improvement in their win total in 2018 after only one win in the two previous seasons.

USA Today recently released their annual NFL record projections for the 2018 season. They expect the Cleveland Browns to make an improvement on last season, but not as big of a jump as Browns fans want.

Cleveland is predicted to go 5-11 next season, which will put them last in the AFC North. The Steelers are predicted to win the division for the fourth time since 2014. The Bengals and Ravens are both predicted to win seven games each.

When talking about the Browns, Nate Davis believes that the Browns are the one team in the division that is actually getting better instead of beginning to fall off.

"Cleveland Browns (5-11): They could (should) win more games in September than they did the last two seasons combined … yes, a pretty low bar to surmount. Still, this appears to be the one club in the division actually ascending … yes, another low bar. – Nate Davis, USA Today Sports"

With the amount of new faces on the Browns roster, it is fair to assume that they will have some trouble meshing early on. Cleveland is also facing a very challenging schedule.

Although there are plenty of flaws with basing the toughest schedules off of last season’s records and not how the teams compiled their roster this off-season. But it is one of the best ways to examine the schedule.

Based off last season’s records, the Browns will have the fifth toughest schedule next season, with their opponents’ 2017 overall win percentage at .523, according to CBS Sports’ John Breech.

But even with the difficult schedule, Cleveland has a lot of talent. With a young defensive group that can improve in the second year of Gregg Williams’ defense and an offense loaded with talent, there will be plenty of chances to win games.

Next: Who are the 30 greatest players in Browns history?

For Super Bowl LIII, USA Today predicts the Falcons represent the NFC and the Chargers represent the AFC, with the Falcons winning the Super Bowl.

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