2017 NFL win/loss projections for all 32 teams
By John Buhler
Cleveland Browns
Oh, Cleveland. What are we going to do with you? There is a good chance that the Cleveland Browns double, triple, maybe even quadruple their 2016 season win total. The only problem with that is the 2016 Browns only won a game over a confused San Diego Chargers franchise at home on Christmas Eve.
To be fair, there is reason to get behind what Sashi Brown and Paul DePodesta are doing in the front office. Besides taking on Brock Osweiler’s contract for a future Houston Texans’ draft pick, the Browns have actually done more good than bad this offseason. Letting Terrelle Pryor walk to the Washington Redskins wasn’t great, but improving the offensive line with a guy like guard Kevin Zeitler was outstanding.
Cleveland is still very much a rebuilding football team, but the Browns will win some games this year. The Browns’ strength is obviously in the trenches along the offensive line. They’ve had a solid running game these last few years on the feet of Isaiah Crowell. Should any of these young receivers pop and quarterback play isn’t rancid, the Browns could win as many as six games this fall.
However, they still play in the same AFC North with the likes of the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cleveland is good enough to win a game, maybe both, over the reeling Cincinnati Bengals, but until the Browns start winning games over Baltimore and Pittsburgh few outside of Northeast Ohio are going to take them seriously.
Expect Cleveland to play hard under head coach Hue Jackson this year. He seems to be the right guy for the job. The Browns have drafted better these last two years. Frankly, they are still a year away from even considering being mediocre, but progress is progress.
Projected Record: 3-13, Misses AFC Playoffs