4 Bold Cleveland Browns predictions after Deshaun Watson trade
By John Suchan
Cleveland Browns bold prediction No. 2: Browns will win the AFC North
Cleveland ended up finishing third, with an 8-9 record, in the very competitive AFC North Division a year ago. The surprising Cincinnati Bengals ended up winning the division with a 10-7 record.
Despite the Browns beating the Bengals twice last season, it wasn’t enough to win the division. With Watson joining the team, Cleveland will be primed to overtake the other three teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.
The Steelers are still searching for a new identity after their long-time franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger retired. At the moment they still don’t know who their new quarterback will be. Last season, the Steelers somehow managed to finish 9-7 but with the competitiveness within the division and Watson joining the Browns the Steelers will likely end up at the bottom of the division next season as they look to rebuild.
The Ravens have Lamar Jackson as their starting quarterback and despite all the glowing praise for the young and upcoming potential superstar, he was injured much of last season and has a lot more competition with the addition of Watson now to Cleveland.
Cincinnati has Joe Burrow as their rising star quarterback, and he was able to get the Bengals to the Super Bowl. It was a valiant effort, but the Browns seem to have the Bengals’ number and expect much of the same to continue next year.
The last time the Browns won a division title was back in 1989 when it was called the AFC Central Division. So, winning a division title will be a big moment for this franchise. One step in front of the other. Teams can’t run to the Super Bowl. It takes time and if the Browns win the division, it’s a good sign.