5 Bold predictions in Week 18 as Cleveland Browns face Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns Bold prediction No. 3: Case Keenum’s last game with the orange and brown

The game Sunday will be Case Keenum’s last game with this franchise. His contract has him making $7.8 million next season, which is a lot for a reserve who they won’t play when Baker Mayfield is hurt.

However, if the team trades or releases him this summer then they would only owe him$1.3 million. There will be plenty of other free-agent quarterbacks out there that won’t cost Cleveland so much money to possibly ride the bench behind Mayfield or any other starting quarterback that might be here in the fall.

He has been a good mentor to Mayfield and has filled in when needed very well. His game against the Denver Broncos earlier in the season, when he subbed in for an injured Mayfield was a great example of how he could move this offense and get it running right again.

Sunday, I expect to see that same type of game where the Browns offense functions like it was supposed to, all along. Look for Keenum to go out within a bang. He’ll make quicker decisions in the pocket. He won’t hesitate like Mayfield has all season and he’ll move the offense.

Cleveland Browns Bold prediction No. 2: Myles Garrett will get two sacks

Despite a groin injury, Myles Garrett has indicated he’ll plan on playing Sunday. He hasn’t recorded a sack in a month, four games ago, when he recorded one against the Baltimore Ravens. He’s been stuck on 15 for a while now. That’s a career-high best but his lack of production has been a bit of a surprise. However, he has been injured and going up against double teams for most games.

The vocal leader of the team will get some extra energy playing in his last game of the season in front of the home crowd.

Cleveland Browns Bold prediction No. 1: Jadeveon Clowney will play his last game in The Land

Jadeveon Clowney has had a good year in Cleveland after coming over on a one-year deal. He made a big blunder last weekend when he was penalized for throwing an opponent’s shoe across the field in disgust and cost his team an unsportsmanlike penalty.

But despite that, Clowney has played some very inspiring ball throughout the year and has been a nice compliment player to his teammate Myles Garrett. He has certainly helped elevate the Browns defense and their pass rush.

He’s recorded seven sacks which are the most he’s had since his last season playing on the Houston Texans team when he had nine. The 35 tackles and 17 quarterback hits are all some of his best for his career.

Does he return next season? The Browns paid him nearly $7 million in guaranteed money. He’s a player that has moved around some already in his career and will be looking to make as much or more than he did this season.

Do the Browns try to sign him to a new deal? There will be many other defensive ends that will be available to the Browns this spring. Defensive ends like Danta Fowler Jr. (Atlanta Falcons), Solomon Thomas (Las Vegas Raiders), or an older veteran like Akiem Hicks all will be available this offseason as free agents.

The team will have options and Clowney may then decide to move on. Time will tell.