Cleveland Has A Great Landing Spot In Their Sights
Dec 17, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Akins (84) and place kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) celebrate after Hopkins kicked a field goal during the fourth quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Just when you think the Joe Flacco magic has all but run out, he pulls another rabbit out of his hat and brings the Cleveland Browns back from a second-half, 10-point deficit and beats the Chicago Bears in the final minute of the game.
At 9-5, the Browns control their own destiny for the playoffs and look to be in a good position for the first Wild Card spot. However, I’m still not ready to rule out a division title. The Baltimore Ravens winning on Sunday night certainly helps them out, but they have games against the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Pittsburgh Steelers to end the season, none of which will come easy.
Looking Ahead
It’s so hard for me to be positive when it comes to the playoffs and the Cleveland Browns because the past is just too difficult to bear. But even I must admit that the Browns look good considering their record and the remaining schedule.
Flacco has full control of this offense, and even when he makes mistakes he has shown he can make the throws to bring the team back.
My biggest concern right now is the offensive line. Not only are they down to their fifth and sixth tackles of the season, but Ethan Pocic, Nick Harris, and Joel Bitonio all faced injuries and missed part of the game last week as well.
James Hudson at right tackle and Michael Dunn at left guard really struggled last week against the Chicago Bears’ front four. And while I think they can find a way to win two of the next three and get the top seed in the Wild Card, it’s their biggest liability moving forward if no one is able to return.
But on the bright side, since the return of Denzel Ward, this defense looks elite once again. It’s obvious that Myles Garrett is dinged up based on his production, but with the ability to play man-to-man coverage, this defense has been absolutely suffocating.
There is no doubt this defense is thin, especially at safety, but if Garrett can continue to get healthy, and Grant Delpit can return for the playoffs, this unit remains is one of the best in the league. The emergence of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has also been incredible to watch. He went from being a great side-to-side player to one of the most complete linebackers in the NFL the last few weeks; he’s playing at an All-Pro level.
In these next three games against the Houston Texans, New York Jets, and Cincinnati Bengals, of course victories will be key, but it’s also important to continue to get young guys some playing time so when they get to the playoffs they’re used to being on the field. Guys like James Hudson, D’Anthony Bell, and Ronnie Hickman could take huge steps over the next three weeks and get comfortable as NFL starters.
The Perfect Landing Spot
What I love most for the Cleveland Browns right now is they are in the driver’s seat for the top Wild Card spot, which would likely pit them against the AFC South winner (projected to be Jacksonville) — or they’ll win the division outright and host a home game.
The No. 5 spot seems likely as the Ravens are hot and would need to drop two of their final three games, but a matchup in Jacksonville would not be the worst thing to happen to Cleveland.
Yes, they already beat this team, but it goes deeper than that. Although the Jags have a strong pass rush that can disrupt the Cleveland offense, the Browns’ skill players can get open against that secondary, and Flacco has the ability to get them the ball.
On top of that, as good as Trevor Lawrence may be, he doesn’t love tight man-to-man coverage (much like any NFL quarterback), and with Christian Kirk likely to miss extended time, none of these receivers really scare me now.
The Jaguars’ offensive line is also beaten up, so even a depleted Browns O-line should be able to get good pressure and make him uncomfortable. The quickness of Travis Etienne does scare me, but the Browns’ linebackers have been quick to the edge and better at shutting down the run.
I’m always the first one to say don’t count your chickens before they hatch, but I continue to fall more and more in love with the way this team plays. Yes, the Bears probably should have caught that Hail Mary, but they didn’t — just like the 49ers didn’t make the kick, the Indianapolis Colts didn’t get the fourth down stop, and the Ravens couldn’t stop Watson in the second half.
Every team in the NFL is capable of beating anyone, so having four starting quarterbacks, 30% of your roster on injured reserve, and nine wins through 14 games is a great place to be.
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