It feels as though we were just getting hyped for training camp and now, there are only three weeks left in the 2023 NFL Season. If we had known back in camp that the Cleveland Browns would be without Nick Chubb, Jack Conklin, Deshaun Watson, Grant Delpit, and Dawand Jones by now, we would have expected disaster.
That hasn't been the case, however, as head coach Kevin Stefanski has kept things moving in the right direction. Andrew Berry has also brought in enough depth that they've been able to stick with the next man up, but they've also made the right moves when forced to pivot. The best example of this is Joe Flacco leading them over the past three weeks.
Now with three games left to play, the Browns are 9-5 and should be in line for a playoff berth. Let's look ahead to their final three games and predict the outcomes, which should be enough to see if they will make it to the postseason for the second time in the past four years.
• Week 16 Cleveland Browns @ Houston Texans
• Week 17 New York Jets @ Cleveland Browns
• Week 18 Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
Week 16 Cleveland Browns @ Houston Texans
This game seemed a lot more daunting a few weeks ago when C.J. Stroud was expected to start. However, Stroud missed their last contest with a concussion and there's a strong belief he will be out again in Week 16. If so, Case Keenum will face off against his former team.
Kevin Stefanski knows Keenum well, not only from their time in Cleveland but also dating back to 2017 with the Minnesota Vikings. He knows what to expect from him and won't be surprised by anything. That should help as they keep the Texans at bay and leave NRG Stadium with win No. 10.
Final Score: Browns 31, Texans 23
Cleveland Browns Record: 10-5
Week 17 New York Jets @ Cleveland Browns
For a couple of weeks, there was a chance Aaron Rodgers would be under center for the New York Jets when they took on the Browns in Cleveland. With Week 17 now approaching, there's more clarity on the situation. Rodgers has worked hard to get back to the field but with the Jets out of playoff contention, he's going to do the right thing and wait until 2024.
Rodgers' desire to return makes a lot of sense. He's 40 years old and understands he can't play this game forever. But with nothing to play for, suiting up would be too much of a risk considering how serious of an injury he suffered. For those who don't remember, Rodgers tore his Achilles on his fourth snap with the Jets.
Rodgers' absence means the Browns will likely finish the year with three teams who are using backup quarterbacks — assuming Stroud is out in Week 16. For the Jets, they're hopeful Zach Wilson will be back after he suffered a concussion in Week 15. Trevor Siemian is slated to start this weekend and if Wilson doesn't get cleared, he will head to Cleveland Browns Stadium the following Sunday.
Whether it's Wilson or Siemian, it won't matter. Cleveland has the superior team and should pull off the win. Of course, the Jets defense is a problem so this won't be a high-scoring game. Having said that, Cleveland just has to keep from shooting themselves in the foot and this will be a comfortable win for them.
Final Score: Browns 20, Jets 10
Cleveland Browns Record: 11-5
Week 18 Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
After winning their 11th game of the year, the Browns will hit the road once again. This time, they will head to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals, the same team they opened up the season against. Cleveland won in Week 1 while Joe Burrow still looked slowed down by a calf injury.
He started to turn things around but then a hand injury sent him to the IR. In came Jake Browning, and it appeared their season was over. That's not how things went down, however, as Browning has taken the league by storm. He's led the Bengals to a 3-1 record and has had some impressive performances along the way.
Cincinnati is still in the playoff mix as well thanks to Browning and with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs up next for them, they might need this win to get into the postseason. Cleveland might not need it nearly as badly since they already moved to 11-5 in our prediction. Sure, they would love a 12th win but with nothing on the line, they wind up dropping this one on the road by one score.
That could open the door for the Bengals to make the playoffs but that's not a problem. Instead, it will be a reminder of how tough the AFC North is and will be another reason this Browns team deserves praise for winning 11 games despite all the setbacks they faced.
Final Score: Bengals 23, Browns 20
Cleveland Browns Record: 11-6