Will the Cleveland Browns Record Improve in 2017?

Will the Cleveland Browns Record Improve in 2017?

Written by on June 22, 2017

Last year, they were the NFL’s worst team at 1-15. Will the Cleveland Browns improve in 2017? The NFL claims it has great parity, and each of the past 11 years at least four teams have made the playoffs that didn’t the year before, meaning that hasn’t helped the Cleveland Browns, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2002 or finished with a winning record since 2007. Any how, their wins total is set at 4.5. Given these points, let’s check out if the Browns will improve this season.

Will the Browns Record Improve in 2017?

Nowhere To Go But Up

First of all, yes the Browns will be better because no team has gone 1-15 in back-to-back seasons. So simply by accident, Cleveland will at least finish 2-14. To tell the truth,  I give the Browns realistic chances to win Week 5 at home vs. the Jets, Week 11 at home vs. Jacksonville, Week 13 at the Chargers, Week 15 at home vs. the Ravens and Week 16 in Chicago. In spite of this, I’m also not ruling out home victories vs. Tennessee or Cincinnati too. Also, the Browns have some interesting young talent but just not at quarterback. Nevertheless, the offensive line should be quite good and the club signed guard Kevin Zeitler and interior lineman JC Tretter in free agency while giving guard Joel Bitonio a huge extension. Plus, Tretter should be a massive upgrade over Cameron Erving, who looks like a bust early in his career. As of now, the Browns have an offensive line of Joe Thomas, Zeitler, Tretter, Bitonio and whomever at right tackle. Still, that’s above average.

Who Plays Quarterback?

Cleveland decided not to take a quarterback with their first-round pick this year. Just a few weeks ago, it seemed that Cody Kessler and trade acquisition Brock Osweiler would battle for the starting job. But hold on a minute, though. Second-round pick DeShone Kizer from Notre Dame reportedly was very impressive in minicamp and OTAs. Kizer, the No. 52 overall pick, started out third in the rotation behind Kessler and Osweiler, but showed coach Hue Jackson enough to warrant the No. 1 spot on the second day of minicamp. Kizer was back to No. 3 by the final day of minicamp, but he continued to take all of his reps with first-teamers, meaning he’s essentially been splitting the starting reps with Kessler. On the other hand, Osweier took most of his reps with second-teamers. However, the Browns have been praising Osweiler for his offseason performances, but they’re possibly still looking for someone to take him off their hands and fully or partially off their books. More importantly, does Kizer start Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh? Doubtful. With games after that against the Ravens, Colts, and Bengals, some believe the Browns should keep Kizer on the bench at least until Week 5 when they face the terrible Jets. The Cleveland Browns are underdogs in the NFL odds for this season.

And Who Catches The Passes?

The Browns are missing the third most targets in the NFL (285) from last season. Besides them, only the Ravens (345) and Rams (297) are missing more. With that in mind, those expected to fill the void for Cleveland are Kenny Britt, Corey Coleman, and David Njoku, among whom only Britt is a proven NFL producer. In regards to free agency, the Browns surprisingly swapped out Terrelle Pryor for Britt, who netted a four-year, $32.5 million deal after setting career highs in targets (111), receptions (68), and yards (1,002) with the Rams in 2016 – and L.A had two terrible quarterbacks (sound familiar?). In fact, the 15th overall pick in last year’s draft, Coleman exploded for a 5/104/2 receiving line in Week 2 against the Ravens, hence failing to clear 50 yards the rest of the way. And he also missed much of training camp with a hamstring injury and suffered a broken hand in practice after his breakout game, thus costing him the ensuing six weeks. In addition to Coleman, at OTAs this year, he sustained another hamstring strain and a middle-body injury while diving for a pass. But on the bright side, Coleman appears to have avoided charges in his December assault case. Currently, Coleman’s brother and another man have been charged on the recommendation of a grand jury, unless authorities caution that the matter remains under investigation. Although, if Coleman were charged, he would be looking at a suspension.

Latest Cleveland Browns Betting Odds & Props

  • Odds to Win Super Bowl LII: +10000
  • Odds to Win AFC North: +2300
  • Odds to Win AFC Championship: +5500
  • 2017-18 Regular Season Wins: O 4½ +110 / U 4½ -140

Props

  • How Many Browns QBs Will Play in 2017-18 Regular Season: Total Browns Qb Will Play Over 3.5, +120 / Total Browns Qb Will Play Under 3.5, -160
  • How Many Browns Starting QBs in 2017-18 Regular Season: Total Browns Starting Qbs Over 2.5, -200 / Total Browns Starting Qbs Under 2.5, +150

Upcoming Cleveland Browns Schedule

Preseason

  • August 10, 2017 vs New Orleans Saints. 8pm ET
  • August 21, 2017 vs New York Giants. 8pm ET
  • August 26th, 2017 @ Tampa Bay Bucaneers. 7:30pm ET
  • August 31st, 2017 @ Chicago Bears. 8pm ET

2017 Regular Season

  • Week 1: September 10th vs Pittsburgh Steelers. 1pm ET
  • Week 2: September 17th @ Baltimore Ravens. 1pm ET
  • Week 3: September 24th @ Indianapolis Colts. 1pm ET
  • Week 4: October 1st vs Cincinnati Bengals. 1pm ET
  • Week 5: October 8th vs New York Jets. 1pm ET
  • Week 6: October 15th @Houston Texans. 1pm ET
  • Week 7: October 22nd vs Tennessee Titans. 1pm ET
  • Week 8: October 29th vs Minnesota Vikings. 9:30am ET
  • Week 9: Bye
  • Week 10: November 12th, 2017 @ Detroit Lions. 1pm ET
  • Week 11: November 19th, 2017 vs Jacksonville Jaguars. 1pm ET
  • Week 12: November 26th, 2017 @ Cincinnati Bengals. 1pm ET
  • Week 13: December 3rd, 2017 @ Los Angeles Chargers. 4:05pm ET
  • Week 14: December 10th, 2017 vs Green Bay Packers. 1:00pm ET
  • Week 15: December 17th, 2017 vs Baltimore Ravens. 1:00pm ET
  • Week 16: December 24th, 2017 @ Chicago Bears. 1:00pm ET
  • Week 17: December 31st, 2017 @ Pittsburgh Steelers. 1:00pm ET

Final Cleveland Browns Prediction

To summarize, this team might be a little bit better than last year. But don’t expect much to happen from them. Although, it would be a very interesting team to watch if things turn around for them. Lastly, be sure to check out for more of the latest NFL odds and props as the season comes around and remember to have fun!