Cleveland Browns schedule prediction post Deshaun Watson settlement

With the NFL and Deshaun Watson reaching a settlement let’s look at how the Cleveland Browns season could play out with an 11-game suspension.

On Wednesday the NFL announced that they had come to a settlement agreement with Deshaun Watson’s team on an 11-game suspension with a 5 million dollar fine. With the final discipline finally settled upon it’s time to forecast the Cleveland Browns 2022 season game by game.

Cleveland Browns schedule prediction

Week 1 at Carolina Panthers: Win (1-0)

The Browns will travel down to Carolina to play a familiar foe in quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Panthers in Week 1. Mayfield is a massive upgrade for the Panthers at quarterback but I still don’t think that offensive line is good. Cleveland knows Mayfield and his tendencies well, and the defensive line has a great matchup to make Mayfield’s Panthers debut a long day.

In the end, the Browns’ run game and defense will be far too much for the Panthers to handle. Though this game may be closer than some want to admit, Jacoby Brissett will be able to make enough plays and not turn the ball over resulting in the Browns’ first week one win in ages.

Week 2 vs New York Jets: Win (2-0)

The New York Jets are a vastly improved team and later in the year, I think they will cause some problems for teams trying to make the playoffs. However, I don’t think Zach Wilson or Joe Flacco is good enough to outplay the Browns’ defensive backfield.

This team is full of young talent and as they get the experience I think they will get better but in Week 2 they will struggle. It won’t be easy, the NFL almost never is, but the run game will slowly wear down the Jets’ defense, and the Jets’ offensive line will be tired late facing these Browns’ pass rushers.

Week 3 vs Pittsburgh Steelers: Loss (2-1)

Every year people think this is the year the Steelers fall off and then every year they manage to have at least a .500 record. The Browns can absolutely compete with the Steelers but they have the run defense to stifle Cleveland’s rushing attack and force Brissett to beat them, which I don’t think he can. Yes, the Steelers have major questions at the quarterback position too but early the Steeler’s defense trumps the Browns, and Tomlin does what he does and they pull out a close one.

Week 4 at Atlanta Falcons: Win (3-1)

The Atlanta Falcons roster doesn’t have a lot of things to be excited about especially on the offensive side of the ball outside of Kyle Pitts. The offensive line isn’t likely to be able to move the Browns’ defense or protect quarterback Marcus Mariota. Corner A. J. Terrell is one of the best in the game but outside of him who scares you on the defense? As long as the Browns play sound football and don’t shoot themselves in the foot with turnovers they should win this game.

Week 5 vs Los Angeles Chargers: Loss (3-2)

This game is easy to predict with Brissett at quarterback the Chargers just flat out have more talent than the Browns. With the improved pass rush in L.A. if Brissett is forced to have to win the game I don’t see how he is able to do it.

https://twitter.com/sportingnews/status/1559910202304090112?s=20&t=ISKCfHGihonzj3gvaJS9HA

The Chargers should be able to limit the damage the Browns do on the ground and they won’t be able to keep up with Herbert just by running the ball, this one could be a little lopsided.

Week 6 vs New England Patriots: Win (4-2)

Unlike some from around the league, I am far from sold on quarterback Mac Jones and the Patriots offense being much to be afraid of. If the Browns’ defense is healthy they should be able to handle that passing attack, especially with the bad taste in their mouth from last year’s matchup.

There are no true star playmakers on that offense to fear with the level of defensive back play the Browns should get. This is another game where if Brissett can manage the game and not turn it over they should be able to come out with their fourth win of the season.

Week 7 at Baltimore Ravens: Win (5-2)

This one is the upset shocker of the Browns’ first half of the season, I think last year Cleveland figured out the secret to containing Lamar Jackson. Yes, it definitely helped that he lost his top three running backs but there is still some uncertainty on that offense.

There is no true established big play receiver on that team outside of Mark Andrews. Running the ball and limited mistakes again is the key to grinding out an ugly win in Baltimore.

Week 8 vs Cincinnati Bengals: Loss (5-3)

Lately, Cleveland has had the Cincinnati Bengals’ number but with an improved offensive line and tons of playmakers, they have too much firepower for the Browns. Just like the Week 5 matchup with the Chargers the Browns simply do not have the firepower to keep up. The defense may keep them in the game early but likely get worn down as the game goes on.

Week 10 at Miami Dolphins: Win (6-3)

What is being built in Miami with new coach Mike McDaniel is going to truly be something someday with the weapons they have. They improved the offensive line as well but the question at quarterback remains.

The whole season rests on McDaniel’s ability to get the best out of Tua but from everything I have seen I’m not sure he is the man for the job. Pressure him early and often and the Browns should again be able to lean on the run game and play action to sneak out of Miami with another win.

Week 11  at Buffalo Bills: Loss (6-4)

Just like the week, 8 matchups with the Bengals the Bills have just too much firepower around Josh Allen to get the win. They will not be able to lean on the running game and hope to get just enough from Brissett against the Bills’ defense. This might be a game Browns fans consider just checking the score on their phone while they are doing something else.

Week 12 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Loss (6-5)

It’ll truly be something to see the greatest quarterback of all time in Cleveland when Tom Brady comes to town. If he had stayed retired this game might actually have swung the other way but if this comes down to the fourth quarter of Brady v Brissett I think we all know how that one turns out. Too many weapons for Cleveland to shut down all day and if the Bucs’ defense stifles the run enough that is all it will take for the Bucs to leave Ohio with a win.

Week 13 at Houston Texans: Win (7-5)

Deshaun Watson will return to the team and the NFL regular season on December fourth against his former team in Houston. Though I think Cleveland win this game it will not be because of Watson who will likely be rusty and nothing spectacular. If you compare the Browns roster with the Texans they just have more talent on both offense and defense. Watson will be able to shake enough rust off behind the strong offensive line and the best backfield in the league.

Week 14 at Cincinnati Bengals: Loss (7-6)

Watson will continue to be less than spectacular against the Bengals and they will again just have too much firepower for the Browns. This game may end up being close and if Watson is able to return to his 2020 form the result could go the other way. Plainly put this game is one by whichever quarterback outplays the other.

Week 15 vs Baltimore Ravens: Win (8-6)

This is about the time you should start to see flashes of the quarterback the Browns thought was worth all the draft capital and guaranteed money. The Ravens will have to show they can keep up with the Browns’ balanced attack and with not much outside of Andrews to threaten in the passing game, I don’t think they can.

Week 16 vs New Orleans Saints: Loss (8-7)

There needs to be more respect given to the Saints offense with a really impressive wide receiver room if it stays healthy. Before his injury last year Jameis Winston was looking like the player that was taken with the number one overall pick. Though Watson is a better player overall I think Winston has more playmakers at receiver and finds a way to edge out the Browns with a close win.

Week 17 at Washington Commanders: Win (9-7)

The rust should be shaken off and Cleveland’s offense should be humming assuming there aren’t any major injuries. The Commanders’ defensive line could cause some problems for the Browns but the Browns’ defense will cause just as many. In the end, I don’t see how Carson Wentz manages to score many points against the Browns who get their 9th win of the season.

Week 18 at Pittsburgh Steelers: Win (10-7)

With Watson having five games under his belt this game is an entirely different situation than the first meeting in week 3. George Pickens and Dionte Johnson are a problem at wide receiver but I’m not sure that line can protect whoever the quarterback is well enough to keep up with the Browns’ offense.

Not sure how the AFC shapes up around them but this game could likely seal a second playoff birth in three years for the Browns.