3 bold predictions for Browns 2022 season

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CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 27: Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns watches the scoreboard during the third quarter of a preseason game against the Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Bears defeated the Browns 21-20. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

2. Browns bold prediction: Team finishes with a positive scoring differential

This sounds so simplistic, especially if you have had some success. But harken back to the 2020 season and the Cleveland Browns’ first postseason appearance since 2002. Led by NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski, the team finished 11-5. It was the most wins by the franchise since rejoining the NFL as an expansion team in 1999.

But it’s also worth noting that the Browns scored a solid 408 points that season – 11 fewer than they allowed that year. It’s not that uncommon for teams to make the playoffs with a winning record and yet own a negative scoring differential. In 2021, both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders reached the postseason as wild card team but gave up more points than they put on the scoreboard.

As for those 2020 Browns, they were just the second team since the NFL merger in 1970 to win 11 games, reach the playoffs and own a negative scoring margin. The only other club to manage that feat were the 2012 Indianapolis Colts.

A year ago, Stefanski’s club finished 8-9 and scored 349 points and allowed 371 points. Not a surprise. But you have to go all the way back to 2007 to see the last time the Browns outscored their opponents on the season. Ironically, that club finished 10-6 and missed out on the postseason.

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