5 things the Cleveland Browns must do to reach the Super Bowl in 2020

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 11: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates defeating the Atlanta Falcons at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns won 28 to 16. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 11: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates defeating the Atlanta Falcons at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns won 28 to 16. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 05: The Vince Lombardi trophy is displayed during the New England Patriots Super Bowl Victory Parade on February 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 05: The Vince Lombardi trophy is displayed during the New England Patriots Super Bowl Victory Parade on February 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /

The Cleveland Browns are no longer a team to overlook, but if they want to become Super Bowl contenders next season, these five things will be vital

It wasn’t too long ago that the Cleveland Browns were considered the least likely team to contend for a title. For years, the Browns were consistently at the bottom of the Super Bowl odds each season. Because of that, those fans should be forgiven if they got a little excited over jumping up to No. 13 overall a few weeks ago as odds makers started to show them some love.

While there will still be plenty who scoff at the idea of the Browns getting to the big game, it’s really not that crazy of a notion. The Los Angeles Rams were just there as the NFC representative only two seasons removed from looking like a dumpster fire and removing their head coach as Sean McVay replaced Jeff Fisher.

Also close to making an appearance were the Kansas City Chiefs, who took the New England Patriots to overtime in the AFC Championship game. While the Chiefs have been consistent throughout the years, they did get that far with a second-year quarterback in Patrick Mahomes and fell just short.

The aforementioned Rams were also led on offense by a young quarterback as Jared Goff, the former No. 1 overall pick out of Cal was in just his third season. Which brings us to the Browns, who are also coming off a coaching change like the Rams, while featuring a young top draft pick in Baker Mayfield.

Of course, there was more done by these teams to become contenders, but Cleveland has the hardest part figured out. Now, we just look at the next five steps they need to take in 2019 to be in Super Bowl 54 in Feb. 2020.