3 reasons to pump the brakes on Cleveland Browns hype
By Randy Gurzi
2. Early opponents are a combined 3-6
When the schedule was released, Cleveland was being penciled in as 4-0 for the month of September.
The expectation was for them to handle Baker Mayfield and the Carolina Panthers easily but they needed a 15-yard penalty and 58-yard kick from Cade York to escape with a win. Then they were supposed to shore up their concerns against the New York Jets but they suffered a shocking loss in the final minutes as the defense struggled to close the game out.
Their first complete win came against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football but it was still far from perfect. T.J. Watt — the NFL Defensive Player of the Year from 2021 — was out and Mitch Trubisky missed several passes to open players that aided the victory. This is without even discussing how Diontae Johnson had his way with Denzel Ward all night.
Even with the issues the opponents have had, Cleveland has had two games come down to the wire, which isn’t what’s expected from a team ready to contend for the title in a tough division.
Again, this doesn’t mean not to enjoy the ride. Jacoby Brissett and the Browns are doing what they have to. They’re staying on the right side of 500 as they try to stay in the race for a Wild Card spot when Watson returns.