Cleveland Browns - Halfway Point 2014

I doubt anyone predicted the Cleveland Browns to be 5-3. And even though 4 of the last 5 games have been played against teams with poor records, it's still the NFL, and all that matters is getting the Ws. Cleveland went 4-1 over that stretch, and three of those wins could be considered lucky or fortunate.

Cleveland's two-game differential between wins and losses doesn't sound like much, but it means the Browns can play .500 the rest of the way, and at 9-7, Cleveland will be in the conversation for the playoffs.

I believe that Pittsburgh, NY Giants, and Green Bay Packers have all won Super Bowls over the past decade or so by sneaking into the playoffs with a 9-7 record and winning three road playoff games to reach the Super Bowl.

Arizona won its division at 9-7 and lost a dramatic Super Bowl to the Steelers. AZ had to play three playoff games to reach the Super Bowl. Since they won the division, they hosted their first playoff game, and then played the next two on the road. They were underdogs in all three playoff games leading up to the Super Bowl.

Cleveland needs to tread water in November. Stay around one or two games above .500 overall, and then hopefully, peak or play better to end the season.

The problem is, a 9-7 record may not be good enough to make the playoffs this year in the AFC. One or more 9-7 teams may miss the playoffs. Tiebreakers may be required.

WR Josh Gordon returns later in November. Hopefully, TE Cameron is healthy soon. If those two pass catchers play well, that may loosen up defenses and allow the running game to perform like it did at the beginning of the season. If so, then Cleveland could close the season out strong and be peaking for the playoffs, assuming they make the playoffs.

Cleveland Browns Schedule with Results and records as of Nov 3:

1 Sun, Sep 7 @ Pittsburgh - Loss 30-27

2 Sun, Sep 14 vs New Orleans - Won 26-24

3 Sun, Sep 21 vs Baltimore - Loss 23-21

4 BYE WEEK

5 Sun, Oct 5 @ Tennessee - Won 29-28

6 Sun, Oct 12 vs Pittsburgh - Won 31-10

7 Sun, Oct 19 @ Jacksonville - Loss 24-6

8 Sun, Oct 26 vs Oakland - Won 23-13

9 Sun, Nov 2 vs Tampa Bay - Won 22-17

10 Thu, Nov 6 @ Cincinnati

11 Sun, Nov 16 vs Houston

12 Sun, Nov 23 @ Atlanta

13 Sun, Nov 30 @ Buffalo

14 Sun, Dec 7 vs Indianapolis

15 Sun, Dec 14 vs Cincinnati

16 Sun, Dec 21 @ Carolina

17 Sun, Dec 28 @ Baltimore