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Cleveland Browns pre-draft 2021 season outlook

By Nick Swanson

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 10: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns rushes for a touchdown during the second half of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 10, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 10: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns rushes for a touchdown during the second half of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 10, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 11: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns and Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns celebrate against the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 11, 2021 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

AFC North Divisional Games (4-2)

With the Browns going 3-3 in divisional games last year, the team left much to be desired. With this new and improved roster, I do expect the team to play better in the division. I still think they’ll end up losing two games in the division, one probably to the Ravens and then an early game to most likely the Steelers. Even though I think the Bengals are going to be a lot better this season, I think the Browns will win both battles of Ohio.

The Ravens scare me of course because they have an incredibly explosive player in Lamar Jackson but they have taken a few hits as players have departed in free agency, looking at you Matt Judon. Jackson’s ability to completely take over a game whether that’s on the ground or through the air is only similar to that of Josh Allen. The Ravens may be a worse team than last year, but they’ll still play Cleveland close.

The Steelers aren’t going to be as good as people think they are next year. They lost a key edge rusher in Bud Dupree and Big Ben Roethlisberger is only getting older. The team did manage to bring back TikTok star JuJu Smith-Schuster but I think the team will still end up taking a step back next year.

As for the cross-state rivals, the Bengals will definitely improve this season. Joe Burrow will hopefully come back healthy and get a full season under his belt. The team lost A.J. Green but with their high draft pick and pretty eventful free agency period, the Bengals may be a near .500 level team.

Next. Browns 7-Round mock draft. dark

A potential 13-4 or 12-5 season definitely doesn’t look too bad for the Browns this season.

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