NFL: Grading Each Team’s First Half

Cleveland Browns

I almost feel badly for the Cleveland Browns. The team has excelled in a way that no one around that organization could have reasonably expected, and that has resulted in a 4-3 record. However, Cleveland still hasn’t managed to climb out of the basement in the AFC North, and with the easy part of their schedule largely gone, the Browns probably won’t be a playoff team.

This post is for evaluating the first half, however, and things have gone swimmingly. Brian Hoyer is better than I thought, and thus, Johnny Manziel has continued to be a non-factor. Cleveland deftly fought through the long-term loss of Ben Tate (now back) and they have managed to stay afloat despite the absence of Josh Gordon and a checkered season from Jordan Cameron.

Credit largely goes to this defense, which has looked utterly dominant at times, even if the advanced metrics don’t treat them kindly. The talent is real from a global view, but until the team is more dynamic offensively, we’ve probably reached the ceiling. Alas, the fan base should be pleased with the early returns in 2014.

Grade: B+