• Sep 2, 2014
• Predictions
• Browns Roster Info
• Roster as of Sep 2, 2014
• NFL 2013 Stats
• 2014 Week One
• Rookie Quarterbacks

2014 Cleveland Browns

Even though preseason does not count, it appears that the Browns are headed toward another major losing season, unless some surprises occur on offense.

Sep 2, 2014

The 2014 Browns offense may be worse than the 2013 version. Cleveland may be headed toward another four-win season. Five or six wins tops.

Actually, a 6-10 season would be some improvement.

One year ago, Brian Hoyer was listed as a third string quarterback for the Browns, and now, he's the starter.

As of Sep 1, 2014, the Browns are only carrying two QBs. If this was a year ago, would Hoyer have made the team as the number three?

Last week, the NFL suspended all-pro wide receiver Josh Gordon for the entire season. Last year, he missed the first two games, but he still put up amazing numbers. That was partly due to the fact that Cleveland threw the ball more than any other team, which was probably due to Cleveland trailing most of the time. Still, Gordon has raw talent, but apparently, he has little interest in playing in the NFL.

The Browns will have to rely on rookie WRs. TE Cameron won't be the main receiver.

The Browns leading rushers last year, such as they were, are not on this year's team. That's probably not a big loss. The Browns hope to feature the running game this season, but we'll see.

At the moment, it appears that the Browns do not have any legitimate deep threat wide receivers, and Hoyer was not impressive this preseason, so it seems that opponents will jam the line of scrimmage to stop the Browns running game, and dare the Browns to complete a pass down field.

The Browns strength will allegedly be its defense. Last year, fans and media felt the Browns had a good defense, but Cleveland ranked near the bottom in third down defense and near the bottom in red zone defense. Cleveland must improve a lot in those areas.

Johnny Manziel may not have an NFL arm worthy of being a starting quarterback. He may be able to run around behind the line of scrimmage or run down field, but it's unsustainable in the long term. Completing less than 50 percent of the passes won't cut it.

First game, Cleveland at Pittsburgh. The Steelers have a big edge over Cleveland in quarterback and in the running game. Defense? Don't know.

Predictions

Sep 2, 2014:

Assuming no major injuries, I think the Bengals will win the division again with 11 or 12 wins, and the Steelers will finish second. Ravens third. Browns last.

The Steelers may be good enough this season to make the playoffs as a wildcard. They finished 8-8 last year, and they nearly made the playoffs. If the Bengals stumble a little, then I think Pitt will challenge for the division title.

Schedule and my predictions as of Sep 2, 2014:

1 Sun, Sep 7 @ Pittsburgh 1:00 PM CBS - LOSS

2 Sun, Sep 14 vs New Orleans 1:00 PM FOX - LOSS

3 Sun, Sep 21 vs Baltimore 1:00 PM CBS - LOSS

4 BYE WEEK

5 Sun, Oct 5 @ Tennessee 1:00 PM CBS - WIN

6 Sun, Oct 12 vs Pittsburgh 1:00 PM CBS - LOSS

7 Sun, Oct 19 @ Jacksonville 1:00 PM CBS - LOSS

8 Sun, Oct 26 vs Oakland 4:25 PM CBS - WIN

9 Sun, Nov 2 vs Tampa Bay 1:00 PM FOX - WIN

10 Thu, Nov 6 @ Cincinnati 8:25 PM NFL - LOSS

11 Sun, Nov 16 vs Houston 1:00 PM CBS - WIN

12 Sun, Nov 23 @ Atlanta 1:00 PM CBS - LOSS

13 Sun, Nov 30 @ Buffalo 1:00 PM CBS - WIN

14 Sun, Dec 7 vs Indianapolis 1:00 PM CBS - LOSS

15 Sun, Dec 14 vs Cincinnati 1:00 PM CBS - LOSS

16 Sun, Dec 21 @ Carolina 1:00 PM CBS - LOSS

17 Sun, Dec 28 @ Baltimore 1:00 PM CBS - LOSS

Prediction: 5 wins and 11 losses.

I think six wins would be the tops for Cleveland this season. The Browns do not have a top 16 QB, so they'll struggle. The other three divisional teams have QBs that lead their teams to the playoffs.

I have the Browns going 0-6 within the division. The Browns should win at least one and maybe two divisional games. Maybe the home Ravens game. Divisional games are unpredictable. If the Browns go 2-4 within the division, then Cleveland would finish a respectable 7-9. Respectable for Cleveland.

The problem is that Cleveland plays Pittsburgh twice in the first five games. Cleveland will need time to improve. Pitt finished last season well, so they may be significantly better than Cleveland at the start of the season.

It's unfortunate that Cleveland's bye week occurs after only the third game. I would think teams would like that bye week to occur in the mid to late part of the season.

Cleveland's home game versus Baltimore occurs in week three, which is probably too early for Cleveland who I expect will improve as the season wears on. If the home games against the Ravens and Steelers occurred late in the season, then I could see Cleveland winning.

I think the Browns will struggle a lot in the first 3 to 5 games.

Browns Roster Info

http://www.clevelandbrowns.com

The Browns will start the season with 21 undrafted free agents. I have no context on that. I don't know if that's a high, low, or average number.

• New Browns receiver LaRon Byrd: 'I don’t want to just be a guy on the roster'
• Brian Hoyer makes one series count; Johnny Manziel puts on a show
• Browns carrying three undrafted free agents on offense
• Browns reduce roster to 53 - Aug 30, 2014, so incomplete.

Roster as of Sep 2, 2014

• Alphabetical order
• Position order

NFL 2013 Stats

• Overall Defense
• Overall Offense
• Red Zone Defense
• Third Down Defense

2014 Week One

Browns at Steelers
Sunday Sep 7, 2014 - 1:00 pm - Pittsburgh, PA | Odds: Pittsburgh by 6.5, Total Points: 41
http://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/matchup/browns-steelers-week-1-2014
Their "Likely Score" prediction: Pitt 23 - Clev 20.
"Vegas Implied" prediction: Pitt 23.8 - 17.2.

Rookie Quarterbacks

News info as of Sep 2, 2014.

• Lack of rookie starting QBs entering season goes against recent NFL trend
• Ten Bold NFL predictions: Plenty of rookie QBs will start in 2014
• Dennis Allen: Derek Carr can lead us to victory

Derek Carr will be the only rookie QB to start week one.

From the CBS Sports story predictions for this season:

1. At least seven rookie QBs start games this season: As I write this, the entire rookie class of quarterbacks was still slated to open the season holding a clipboard. But soon enough that will change. Their teams will struggle, the veteran incumbents were always on a short leash and as the weeks go by more and more of these kids will be flinging the ball. I still wouldn't be shocked to see Derek Carr be the first to start, though his injury has slowed that process, while Blake Bortles and Johnny Manziel will be starting by October, I reckon. Teddy Bridgewater is there by midseason, I say. And, due to injuries or otherwise, I bet at least two more do as well. Zach Mettenberger and Tom Savage would get my early nod to be those guys.

5. One North rises; One North Falls: The AFC North is back, ya'll. Three of those teams will reach the postseason -- which we've seen before. The Bengals are loaded and the Ravens and Steelers are getting back to where they are accustomed to being. On the NFC side, however, the Packers will run away with things and the rest of the group will be shuffling along.

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