Cleveland Browns: Predicting the final five games of the season
By Randy Gurzi
Week 16 Cleveland Browns vs. New Orleans Saints
This New Orleans Saints team is nothing like the one we’re used to seeing. For years, this was one of the best franchises in the NFL, but then Drew Brees retired ahead of the 2021 season.
They weren’t as good when he left but head coach Sean Payton kept them competitive. Then, Payton retired before this season began. And while they kept the majority of the coaching staff together, no one could replace Payton.
New Orleans should have known this since they were awful when he was suspended in 2012 due to BountyGate but apparently, their memory was short.
A loss to the Tampa Bay Bucs on Monday Night Football dropped the Saints to 4-9 on the season as they continue to be a middle-of-the-pack team. That bodes well for the Browns, who shouldn’t be too concerned with this offense.
Andy Dalton has been a game manager, at best, and Alvin Kamara looks to have lost a step. Maybe even two.
Look for the Browns to hold them to under 20 points as Watson starts to round into form with a couple of late touchdown passes in their seventh win of the season. Now, the question is whether or not they can finish the season out with two road wins to improve to 9-8.
Prediction: Browns 24, Saints 16
Record: 7-8