CLEVELAND BROWNS
2020 Record - 11-5-0
Head Coach - Kevin Stefanski
Key Additions - Jadeveon Clowney (DL), Malik Jackson (DL), Anthony Walker (LB), John Johnson III (DB), Troy Hill (DB), Takkarist McKinley (DL)
OFFENSE - Baker Mayfield returns as the starting quarterback after passing for 3,563 yards along with 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Case Keenum will be the backup. The running back tandem of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt is back in tow this season. Chubb gained 1,067 yards (5.6 ypc average) and scored twelve touchdowns while Hunt rushed for 841 yards (4.2 ypc) and scored six touchdowns while also catching 38 passes for 304 yards and five touchdowns.
Jarvis Landry was the leading receiver for the Browns last season with 72 receptions for 840 yards and three touchdowns. Odell Beckham, Jr. is looking to return this season from an injury plagued 2020 season. Along with those two players are Donovan Peoples-Jones and Rashard Higgins (37, 599, four TD) and rookie Anthony Schwartz (Auburn). Tight end Austin Hooper had 46 receptions for 435 yards and four touchdowns. Harrison Bryant (24, 238, three TD) and David Njoku are other options at tight end as well.
The Browns offense ranked 16th a year ago, gaining 370 yards per game. The running attack was third overall, gaining an average of 148 YPG while the passing game averaged 222 YPG, which was 24th in the NFL. Cleveland averaged 25.5 points per game last season.
DEFENSE - Myles Garrett (12 QB sacks) is joined by Jadeveon Clowney at the end positions up front along with tackles Malik Jackson and Andrew Billings. Takkarist McKinley, Jordan Elliott, Porter Gustin and rookie Tommy Togial (Ohio State) round out the defensive line. Linebackers include Anthony Walker in the middle and outside men Jacob Phillips and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, a rookie from Notre Dame. Mack Wilson, Malcolm Smith and Sione Takitaki are also available.
In the secondary are safeties Ronnie Harrison, Jr. and John Johnson III along with corners Denzel Ward (two interceptions) and Troy Hill. Greedy Williams and rookie Greg Newsome II (Northwestern) are the other cornerbacks and Sheldrick Redwine and Grant Delpit are the reserve safeties.
2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - Cleveland made it to the NFL playoffs for the first time in 18 seasons last year and advanced to the divisional round, where they lost a close game to the Kansas City Chiefs. However, the excitement is back for the Browns and Head Coach Kevin Stefanski has a team that is definitely on the rise in the AFC.
As long as QB Baker Mayfield keeps the turnovers down (as he did last season), the offense should be solid. The running game is a good one and this season, the Browns hope to have both primary wide receivers in the fold as Odell Beckham, Jr. is coming back from a knee injury. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt give the team a solid one-two tandem rushing the football to keep the offense balanced. The Browns scored 30-plus points six times last season and also racked up 48 points in a blowout playoff win against Pittsburgh.
The defense ranked 17th overall a year ago (allowing 358 yards per game) and is going through some changes as it appears that perhaps nine new players will be starters this season. Team sacks leader Myles Garrett (a Pro Bowler) and cornerback Denzel Ward, another Pro Bowl player, look to be the only starters returning to their regular positions. Cleveland allowed an average of 26.2 points per game last year while giving up 247 passing yards (22nd in NFL). The run defense was better, allowing 111 YPG, which ranked ninth in the NFL.
As long as Mayfield stays healthy and continues to improve at quarterback in his fourth season, the offense will click and the defense will look to avoid giving up big plays too frequently. In 2020, the Browns defense had eleven interceptions and 38 QB sacks while the team had a plus-five in the turnover category, which was a big improvement from the 2019 season. Realistically, the Browns can win the AFC North division this season, but that will depend on how they fare against their divisional foes, most notably Pittsburgh and Baltimore. A 12-5 record could be enough to get the job done as they look to advance further along in the playoffs this time around.
2021 SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at Kansas City
Week 2 - vs. Houston
Week 3 - vs. Chicago
Week 4 - at Minnesota
Week 5 - at L.A. Chargers
Week 6 - vs. Arizona
Week 7 - vs. Denver
Week 8 - vs. Pittsburgh
Week 9 - at Cincinnati
Week 10 - at New England
Week 11 - vs. Detroit
Week 12 - at Baltimore
Week 13 - BYE
Week 14 - vs. Baltimore
Week 15 - vs. Las Vegas
Week 16 - at Green Bay
Week 17 - at Pittsburgh
Week 18 - vs. Cincinnati
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