Fansided

NFL playoffs: How your team can make it

By Matt Verderame

Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 33
Next
Aug 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas (73) prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas (73) prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 53. . AFC. North. Cleveland Browns. 4

Everyone loves to beat up on the poor Cleveland Browns. You always hear the jokes with the fans snickering at the boys by Lake Erie. Well, that could begin to change in 2015. People forget, but the Browns were actually leading the AFC North after Week 10 last season. Cleveland pounded the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals, looking like a real playoff contender.

With a year under his belt, head coach Mike Pettine has to like the roster he is working with. Despite what ESPN will tell you, football is a game won in the trenches. General manager Ray Farmer understands that and was aggressive in the draft, adding nose tackle Danny Shelton and center/guard Cameron Erving in the first round. Shelton will anchor a strong defense and Erving will play on one of the best lines in football which already features Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio and Alex Mack.

The Browns also got the job done in free agency. Despite losing tight end Jordan Cameron, Cleveland upgraded its weapons with the signings of veteran receivers Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline. Neither will demand a double-team, but both have the capability to go for 1,000 yards, something each has done in the past. Of course, that will rely on the quarterback being able to deliver the ball, which may be where the greatest hope lies.

Johnny Manziel was a disaster last year, but the young man seems to have turned his life around. After spending 10 weeks this offseason in a treatment facility, Manziel has been getting rave reviews about his renewed desire and focus. If Manziel really wants to be great, it is clear he has those tools. While Josh McCown is currently lableled as the starter, that should and will change if Manziel shows he’s ready to go.

Next: Indianapolis Colts

Home/NFL