10 NFL predictions guaranteed to come true

6. The Cleveland Browns will fail to live up to expectations…again

There are very few things in life that feel certain — but betting on the Cleveland Browns to fail to live up to expectations feels like a foregone conclusion about this time every year.

And, perhaps we cannot solely blame the Browns for such an inevitable fate. After all, why on Earth do members of the sports media continue to pick the club to be competitive or dare we say, even good. Seriously, c’mon now! What is the problem?

In 2019, once again, Cleveland was predicted to be amongst the AFC’s elite teams, not only competing for the playoffs but perhaps even competing for the Lamar Hunt Trophy as the kings of the AFC. However, despite loads of talent on both sides of the ball, droves of preseason predictions for pigskin prowess, despite year two being the year for would-be franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield, the Browns still finished at a paltry 6-10 (shocker!).

What has changed in Cleveland from a season ago?

The team added two really solid pieces on offense — Jack Conklin, one of the best right tackles in the game; and tight end Austin Hooper, who was the fourth- or fifth-best tight end in football a season ago with the Falcons. But, the team plans to start a rookie (again) at left tackle, so while Conklin is great, the offensive line as a whole still leaves much to be desired. And, last season the team had talented young tight end David Njoku (and still do) but failed to use him to any degree of effectiveness.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Find us passing hard on the Browns being good.