CLEVELAND BROWNS
2021 Record - 8-9-0
Head Coach - Kevin Stefanski
New Additions - Deshaun Watson (QB), Jacoby Brissett (QB), Amari Cooper (WR), Chase Winovich (DL), Taven Bryan (DL), Jakeem Grant (WR), Ethan Pocic (OL), Stephen Weatherly (DL)
Offensive Rank in 2021 - 18th (341 YPG); Scoring - 20th (20.5 PPG)
Defensive Rank in 2021 - 5th (312 YPG); Scoring - 13th (21.8 PPG)
At quarterback it will be Jacoby Brissett (1,283 passing yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions with Miami) until/and/or if Deshaun Watson returns from his mandated suspension. The running backs are Nick Chubb (1,259 yards, 5.5 YPC average and eight TD), Kareem Hunt, who rushed for 386 yards (4.9 YPC) and five touchdowns and D'Ernest Johnson, who ran for 534 yards (5.3 YPC) and scored three touchdowns. The wide receivers include Amari Cooper (68, 865, eight TD with Dallas), Donovan Peoples-Jones (34, 597, three TD), rookies David Bell (Purdue) and Michael Woods II (Oklahoma), Jakeem Grant and Anthony Schwartz. The tight end is David Njoku, who had 36 receptions for 475 yards and four scores.
Myles Garrett had 16 quarterback sacks last season and he anchors the defense along with Jadeveon Clowney, who had nine sacks. Safety John Johnson III had three interceptions in the secondary and cornerback Denzel Ward picked off two passes for the Browns in 2021 while nickel back Greedy Williams had two picks.
Outlook for 2022 season - The Browns had a very interesting off-season as they traded for Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson, fully knowing all the legal problems he was facing. Head Coach Kevin Stefanski is rolling with Watson once he returns from a mandated suspension (six games), which the league is appealing. They want him gone for the entire season, so stay tuned on this one as the season approaches. Meanwhile, the team also dealt (former starting) QB Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers.
As far as actual football is concerned, the team has veteran journeyman QB Jacoby Brissett in the fold and he will be the man under center until further notice. The running game is solid (fourth ranked in the NFL last year) with Chubb, Hunt and Johnson toting the rock. The passing game was up and down a year ago, but now with two new quarterbacks in town and Amari Cooper replacing Jarvis Landry (free agent signed with New Orleans) at wideout, there is a new vibe for the 2022 season.
The defense is solid and had 43 QB sacks a year ago along with 13 interceptions and also drafted three defensive players last April to team with the capable veterans. All in all, the Browns could be better than the 8-9 record from the 2021 season, but a lot depends on the personnel doing their things on the field, especially on offense. This team could make the post-season if things jell and Watson performs as he has in the past (if he gets on the field as scheduled) but again he has not played in two years. The likelihood could be a another .500 type season in Cleveland this year.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at Carolina
Week Two - vs. N.Y. Jets
Week Three - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Four - at Atlanta
Week Five - vs. L.A. Chargers
Week Six - vs. New England
Week Seven - at Baltimore
Week Eight - vs. Cincinnati
Week Nine - BYE
Week Ten - at Miami
Week Eleven - at Buffalo
Week Twelve - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Thirteen - at Houston
Week Fourteen - at Cincinnati
Week Fifteen - vs. Baltimore
Week Sixteen - vs. New Orleans
Week Seventeen - at Washington
Week Eighteen - at Pittsburgh
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