Even with the Cleveland Browns having a rough start to the 2022 season, they could end strong and still make a playoff push. See the 9-game prediction.
As up and down as the 2022 season has been for the Cleveland Browns, they enter the week nine bye at 3-5 with still a solid path to the playoffs. Three of the five losses could have easily been wins, but at this point, you can’t look back and can only move forward.
Questions have popped up all season about is Kevin Stefanski in charge of this team. Some shenanigans after a few tough losses were a bad look, but he and defensive coordinator Joe Woods have both shown significant improvement over the last two weeks.
Jacoby Brissett has managed the offense well for most of the season, and Myles Garrett has stepped up tremendously in the last two weeks which has instantly improved the defense. With the AFC loaded with talent, it’s still tough to consider the Browns a serious contender, but it’s still been a positive two weeks.
It’s going to be an uphill battle, but let’s look at the Browns final nine games and where they may end the season.
Cleveland Browns: Predicting the outcome of the final 9 games
Week 10 – At Miami Dolphins
The Browns next three games are extremely difficult, and if any miracle is going to happen it will have to start with a win in Miami. The Dolphins are 5-3 now and will likely be 6-3 next weekend as they face the Chicago Bears this weekend.
Miami started the season hot beating the Patriots, Ravens, and Bills the first three weeks of the season, but with a ton of injuries, the team has suffered three losses as well as some close wins vs. teams that aren’t fantastic.
The Dolphins made a splash trade to get Bradley Chubb who is a fantastic pass rusher (when healthy) and could put them over the top. The Browns getting some rest and momentum for the last two weeks is enough to steal a win in Miami. Now at 4-5, the next two weeks become pivotal.
Cleveland Browns Record: 4-5
Week 11 – At Buffalo Bills
If you ask anyone in the NFL to make a bet on who will win the Super Bowl, I would say 90 percent of the answers will be the Buffalo Bills. Not only do they have the best quarterback in the NFL in Josh Allen, but they also have a defense that can create a ton of havoc.
The biggest weakness of the Bills is they can’t run the football, and I will admit that makes them a great matchup for the Browns. Additionally, if there is one thing you can accomplish against their defense, it’s running the ball.
So, on one hand, it is a great matchup, but realistically this won’t be a game the Browns are able to win. I think they will keep it closer than many think, but this will ultimately be a loss and put the Browns at 4-6 making every game remaining extremely important.
Week 12 – Vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If Cleveland can split the prior two weeks with the Dolphins and Bills, this game vs. the Buccaneers becomes massive. If the team can get to 5-6 before the return of Deshaun Watson and be 2-1 in the division, you can’t say they don’t have a shot.
The key here will be the defense. The Buccaneers are lights out when it comes to stopping the run, but Tom Brady and the offense have been mediocre at best. They appear to have caught a bit of a stride, and by this week 12 matchup, the defense better be ready to play.
This is a game they can win, but Brissett is going to have to make some throws to get this win. I say this is one of those fifty-fifty games, but for the sake of this article let’s say they pull it out and move to 5-6 with Watson set to return.
Cleveland Browns Record: 5-6
Week 13 – At Houston Texans
Not only is this the first week the Browns will have Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback, but it will also be against his former team the Houston Texans. Houston is one of the bottom feeders this year and is in complete rebuild mode looking for a quarterback.
Not only will the Browns be fired up to play for Watson, but you can also bet he will be highly motivated to show the organization that traded him what they are missing. On the flip side, you will also get the Texans’ best in this one.
The Browns will be too much to handle in this one and get the win It may be closer than some expect, but this roster is too talented to lose to the Texans. At 6-6 with back-to-back divisional games, let’s hope Watson gets back to form quickly.
Week 14 – At Cincinnati Bengals
For whatever reason, the Cleveland Browns continue to have Joe Burrow’s number. The Bengals rebuilt their offensive line this offseason, but so far it has been extremely disappointing.
Stefanski could have this team with a ton of momentum at this point which should be enough to get a road win in the division which is never easy. I don’t think you’ll see the shellacking the Browns gave the Bengals last year in Cincinnati, but if Burrow continues to struggle it could be a long day for him.
This win would put the Browns above 500 at 7-6 and put them at 3-1 in the division.
Cleveland Browns Record: 7-6
Week 15 – Vs. Baltimore Ravens
If I was a betting man, this game could easily get flexed into primetime (assuming the Browns don’t collapse). The Browns defense seems to always play tough against Lamar Jackson, but they never seem to be able to get that win they need.
To win the division the Browns must win this, and they will need the Steelers or Bengals to beat them once as well. I think the home game and momentum here will carry the Browns to another victory which would be the Browns fourth straight moving them to 8-6 overall and 4-1 in the division, likely tied with the Ravens for first place.
Week 16 – Vs. New Orleans Saints
This is a classic trap game for the Cleveland Browns. After four straight wins and then a very mediocre opponent, Stefanski will have to be careful to keep his team up this week. Whether it’s Andy Dalton or Jameis Winston at quarterback, I don’t see the Browns having any issues holding off the Saints.
Don’t forget, a Christmas Eve game in Cleveland will be the last place the Saints want to be. This is a prime situation where Watson can really prove his worth and lift up the entire team during a week when it would be easy to slack off. This win would be five straight for the Brownies and move them to 9-6 overall and likely in a good spot for a divisional title or wild-card playoff spot.
Cleveland Browns Record: 9-6
Week 17 – At Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders are a tricky one, they at times have looked terrible, but they have also beaten some good teams through the first eight weeks of the season. This is a tough matchup for the Browns as the Commanders’ defensive line is as good as any in the NFL when it comes to rushing the passer and stopping the run.
While Nick Chubb could be neutralized, this is when your star quarterback must show up. I’m afraid this is a game where the magic could end and the Browns lose a heartbreaker in Washington D.C leaving the team at 9-7 and likely needing help to clinch a playoff spot.
Week 18 – At Pittsburgh Steelers
For years it felt like the Cleveland Browns ended their season at Pittsburgh and it usually was against their second teamers as they had already clinched a playoff spot. I’m embarrassed to admit how many of those games the Browns still lost.
Even though the Browns will likely need the Bengals to beat the Ravens this same week to secure a divisional title, that’s a definite possibility and could make this game a monumental moment for the organization.
The Steelers still have a few great pieces, but this team just isn’t the same anymore. Look for the Browns to handle their business and be cheering loudly for the Bengals to help them secure their first-ever AFC North division title. Considering how the start of this season went, a 10-7 record going 5-1 in the division would be quite the feat.
Cleveland Browns Record: 10-7
Cleveland Browns: 5 Bold predictions after the bye
The Cleveland Browns have nine more games to play after their bye week and here are five predictions for the final stretch of games