DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Predict The Schedule

I wonder why the spread lowered ... a few weeks ago our game at Baltimore was like -11 or something

We re-signed Higgins.

Meh.

We're undefeated vs Baltimore in season openers. I think the streak continues.

Tough opener for a brand new coach and system and then play 4 days later but after that it seems pretty favorable. I know I'm going to try to make one or both of the NY games as I live 30 minutes from Met Life. Lots of friends in both the Jets and Giants circles. Wife's family is die hard Giants fans. If not for all this Covid madness and disruptions for a new team I would be more optimistic than I was last year by a good margin.

Pretty safe bet. The streak continues.

We'll be there if the season happens and they have fans at the stadiums.

I wish they scheduled more Saturday, December games. 5 games, week 15 and week 16, are listed as a Sunday game, with a TBD start time. I’m guessing at least 2 of those games will be flexed into Saturday. I feel like there were 2 weeks of Saturday games last year, with 3 games each day. Maybe here were only 2 games though.

If it were up to me, I’d put half of all NFL games on Saturdays, after college championship weekends. Saturday NFL is fun.

8-8 is the best case scenario.

Hoping for a miraculous 9-7 at least.

I will never blame anyone for predicting doom and gloom for this team. They've earned every bit of pessimism they can get.

But that schedule is ridiculously easy. I mean if the Browns can't do anything with that schedule and Baker can't get on track with that schedule then I don't know what to say. We don't even need a great coach. Stefanski needs to be somewhat competent and not fall to pieces and the season should be a success.

I think we even take Baltimore game 1. I see Baltimore taking a step back this year.

Yeah, I’m certainly not an optimist as we all know ... but this is an easier schedule than last season’s.

Sure Baltimore is tough week 1, but week 2 we play at home on a short week in prime time against Cincy .. followed by another home game against Washington on more rest.

If we are anything worse than 2-1 we should be ashamed

The first 9 weeks of the season will be interesting with PIT and BAL having byes in week 8 and the Browns and Bengals in week 9. Weeks 10-17 become interesting because they are all on the same w-l schedule with byes gone.
BAL and PIT have more difficult scheduled in the beginning which helps the Browns become more fluid as the season progresses.

I also think the Jackson factor in BAL will be much different this year because teams will develop ways to stop Jackson and force him to pass. Much like teams did against RG III, Vick, Newton and so forth. Not saying Jackson will be stopped but he'll definitely see different defenses this year that I believe will confuse him at times.

Thru the first 9 weeks I see:

BAL at 6-2 with losses to KCC at home and @ HOU
CLE at 5-3 with losses @ BAL, @ DAL and @ PIT
PIT at 4-4 with losses At home to HOU and road losses @ TEN, @BAL, @ DAL
CIN at 1-7 with a home win against JAC

The second half of the season will be wide open with the Browns having an advantage of having the BAL and PIT game rematches at home.

Questions abundant at this time as to which Mayfield does the team have? Is LT and RG living up to expectations or still an issue? Injuries, poor play, or turmoil might be present. Can the Browns stop the run and is Garrett getting any help from the off side? Line backer, linebacker, linebacker - has anyone stepped up or are the Browns as weak at the position as it appears?

The second half will be more difficult and the Browns need 5 of 8 wins to be playoff worthy. Can they do it? We'll have a lot of those answers by week 9.

I have 10-6. 4-2 vs AFCN, 2-2 vs NFCE, 8-4 vs AFC.

92.3 The Fan has a poll of fans going on - should be interesting to see final results. Vote here:

https://923thefan.radio.com/cleveland-browns-2020-schedule-game#/questions/

The Cleveland Browns will be one of the most scrutinized teams in the NFL in 2020. That comes from having several high-profile players, a brand new coaching staff and front office (again) and the weight of a lengthy postseason drought clashing with the bright promise of a talent-laden roster.

They’ll be tested by fire right away. Week 1. In Baltimore. Reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and the 14-2 Ravens from a year ago is trial by fire, and it’s easy to believe the NFL arranged that deliberately.

How that first game turns out definitely shapes the narrative for the next few weeks. A win in Baltimore would be a massive confidence-builder and grab national attention. But laying an egg against Joe Burrow and the Bengals the following week or the Redskins in Week 3 would kill any positive buzz.

On the flip side, if the team falls in Week 1 but rallies for strong, controlling wins against the teams that picked No. 1 and 2 in April, it’s a sign of professionalism and resiliency. Those were not qualities the 2019 Browns possessed, and it would be a welcome development.

It goes without saying that the national spotlight will be on Myles Garrett’s return to Heinz Field in Pittsburgh in Week 6. How will Garrett handle the infamous incident from last year? Will the Steelers attempt retribution? How do the Browns conduct themselves in front of what figures to be a volatile, hostile crowd?

Two late road games in New York in Weeks 15 and 16 could very well be the difference between playing for a playoff berth in the Week 17 rematch against the Steelers or licking wounds and wondering what happened to all the promise.

Then there’s that Steelers game at FirstEnergy in Week 17. If that game indeed means postseason or die, so many narratives will be written. Baker Mayfield. Kevin Stefanski. Perhaps Jimmy Haslam as an owner. They’ll all face judgment on the outcome.

We can’t wait. It’s going to be a fascinating season for the Browns.

https://brownswire.usatoday.com/2020/05/08/2020-cleveland-browns-schedule-list-details/

Twin Hopes.

Beat up the Ratbirds in Week 1 and win a track meet somehow.

Split with Pukesborg at least.

Win 9 or 10 if we can get offense regularly and better our defense despite Scho loss.

Stop putting out wins for the Other Three in our division.

Good players with solid play will luck into one or two. I also believe that injuries may play larger this year. I like our bye.

I really don't like opening with Balt. They'll come out flying. That said, splitting with them again doesn't sound too bad, especially if we can lay the beatdown at home instead of away.

Overall, the schedule does seem easier. We have 4 games against teams that appear to be a mess (Giants, Jets, Jags, Wash). I don't know what the Colts or Houston will look like, and I think Cinci will be better, but still weak.


Still, I don't think getting smoked at Balt to start things off is going to help at all. :-(

At Baltimore - LOSS
Cincinnati - WIN
Washington - WIN
At Dallas - LOSS
Indianapolis - WIN
At Pittsburgh - LOSS
At Cincinnati - WIN
Las Vegas - WIN
Houston - LOSS
Philadelphia - LOSS
At Jacksonville - WIN
At Tennessee - LOSS
Baltimore - LOSS
At NY Giants - LOSS
At NY Jets - WIN
Pittsburgh - LOSS

7-9 .. but I can see 8-8

I can see 4-12 and 12-4.


Whatever it is, I just nope it isn't NULL-NULL.

This is really the truth. There are so many factors going into what can happen. I'll post my 4 most likely scenarios.


BAD - 5-11

At Baltimore - LOSS
Cincinnati - WIN
Washington - WIN
At Dallas - LOSS
Indianapolis - LOSS
At Pittsburgh - LOSS
At Cincinnati - LOSS
Las Vegas - WIN
Houston - LOSS
Philadelphia - LOSS
At Jacksonville - WIN
At Tennessee - LOSS
Baltimore - LOSS
At NY Giants - LOSS
At NY Jets - WIN
Pittsburgh - LOSS

OKAY 8-8

At Baltimore - LOSS
Cincinnati - WIN
Washington - WIN
At Dallas - LOSS
Indianapolis - LOSS
At Pittsburgh - LOSS
At Cincinnati - WIN
Las Vegas - WIN
Houston - WIN
Philadelphia - LOSS
At Jacksonville - WIN
At Tennessee - LOSS
Baltimore - LOSS
At NY Giants - WIN
At NY Jets - WIN
Pittsburgh - LOSS

BETTER 11-5

At Baltimore - LOSS
Cincinnati - WIN
Washington - WIN
At Dallas - LOSS
Indianapolis - WIN
At Pittsburgh - LOSS
At Cincinnati - WIN
Las Vegas - WIN
Houston - WIN
Philadelphia - LOSS
At Jacksonville - WIN
At Tennessee - LOSS
Baltimore - WIN
At NY Giants - WIN
At NY Jets - WIN
Pittsburgh - WIN

BEST 12-4

At Baltimore - LOSS
Cincinnati - WIN
Washington - WIN
At Dallas - LOSS
Indianapolis - WIN
At Pittsburgh - WIN
At Cincinnati - WIN
Las Vegas - WIN
Houston - WIN
Philadelphia - LOSS
At Jacksonville - WIN
At Tennessee - LOSS
Baltimore - WIN
At NY Giants - WIN
At NY Jets - WIN
Pittsburgh - WIN

I've got the Browns at 8 and 8.
They go 3 and 3 again in the North
Even the perceived "weaker" opponents
Are not a gimme by any stretch of the imagination
Anybody remember week 17 last year ?

Week 17 last year is tough to judge. There was nothing to play for.

sadly that’s been the case for about 25 of the last 27 years

Except Chubb's rushing title...

Do you ever have any optimism? Basically, you said if a team is going to be considered good, the Browns will lose that game.

I want to stress too that this is not a make or break year for Baker. I wish Joe Thomas would have kept his mouth shut about that. It's been all the rage in the media. Baker needs to play well and show improvement. Starting over again, short of being in a position to draft Lawrence, will be a totally Browns thing to do.

And there will be a bunch of idiot fans on here and off of here advocating for it. Sometimes I think Browns fans get what they deserve.

Here's my swing at the entire season. This is a favorable scenario for us but I also tried to make it as realistic as possible.

AFC North
Ravens
12-4 4-2
Browns
11-5 4-2
Steelers
10-6 4-2
Bengals
4-12 0-6

AFC South
Titans
11-5 6-0
Colts
11-5 4-2
Texans
5-11 2-4
Jaguars
2-14 0-6

AFC East
Bills
8-8 4-2
Jets
7-9 3-3
Patriots
7-9 4-2
Dolphins
7-9 1-5

AFC West
Chiefs
13-3 5-1
Chargers
9-7 3-3
Broncos
8-8 1-5
Raiders
5-11 3-3

NFC North
Vikings
10-6 4-2
Packers
7-9 3-3
Lions
4-12 3-3
Bears
3-13 2-4

NFC South
Saints
12-4 4-2
Buccaneers
10-6 3-3
Falcons
7-9 3-3
Panthers
4-12 2-4

NFC East
Eagles
11-5 4-2
Cowboys
10-6 5-1
Giants
5-11 3-3
Redskins
2-14 0-6

NFC West
49ers
12-4 4-2
Rams
11-5 3-3
Seahawks
10-6 2-4
Cardinals
8-8 3-3

https://imgur.com/v5aiMnC

Ya it is ... unless Kev’s as bad as my boy was ... its year 3 ... put up or shut up .. no excuses ...

And i thought that was optimistic for 4 Life ... *L* ...

Haha I thought it was optimistic too!! As you said earlier Rish, fans have the right to be in “wait and see mode” in regards to optimism ... I was as optimistic as I’ve ever been before last year and it was a disaster.

I’m a little less optimistic this season, but I’m still not calling for us to be 4-12 or whatever

3rd season, 4 different coaches. Despite his play last year, he has shown flashes. No other QB we've had has ever even shown a flash other than Anderson and he had plenty of warts even when showing the flashes. He was also minus the pedigree.

Other than Lawrence, there will not be a better option in the draft. Baker is the guy. Let's let him get there even if it's not on the fans' timetable.

spirit, I think they absolutely will play and it will be with minimal risk. Each franchise can buy about 2000 or so of those 5 minute tests. Each player on the active roster is tested the Saturday before the game. Must have a negative test to play.
Teams could the same thing with rookie camp and maybe even otas. Test all the rookies then isolate them at camp for the duration of camp. Same thing with otas.

It is doable though cumbersome.

I wasn’t debating options ... i know the history ... its year 3 ... he needs to show improvement ... i thought he was GREAT as a rookie for a rookie ... he even did some things great for a vet ... like the TD streak in the red zone ... THAT DON’T HAPPEN ...

He has the potential ... if he doesn’t show a good bit of improvement over how he played last year ... UNLESS Kev is as bad as Freddie we should start looking ...

HE STUNK LAST YEAR .... plenty of blame to go around but i can not recall ONE THING he did well last year .... IF he did i know device and my man tabber will be along to correct me toot sweet ... *L* ...

I was so encouraged after Baker’s rookie year as well. Last year he just seemed like a totally different QB (and person) ... we’ll find out how much had to do with FK

I was thinking about how to handle this about a month ago and I kept imagining a scenario where they have to bring in all the players, quarantine everyone separately for 14 days, then have them pass tests before they can bring them together as a group. Then, everyone - coaches, assistants, equipment people.... all would have to be part of it and it would have to be replicated by all 32 teams. A totally closed system. It would be like all of them being deployed for half a year, away from their families and friends. It's the only real way to guarantee anything, and even that isn't a guarantee.

Not doing that simply achieves the result of connecting all of those people and their families/households. Testing before the games merely tells you who has been sick already for a week or two which means that up to what.. eight entire teams could have been exposed and compromised during that time?


It is definitely going to be a strange season.

He looked an awful lot like the horrible rookie under Hue those first few weeks.

Maybe the difference is as simple as the difference between a simplified offense and the normal, complicated NFL offense?

Yeah good point prp

When you re-watch games you get a different perspective. I've been re-watching a lot of games. Baker was playing with so much confidence and no pressure his rookie year that he actually looked to play better than he really was. I thought one of his best games was the first Baltimore game his rookie year. The 12-9 game. My memory had him making a bunch of plus level throws that game. I was correct but when I re-watched it they were all first read throws and he just had the confidence and accuracy to fit them into tight windows. Not a bad outcome but not good for long-term success.

Last year, we all remember the awfulness. What we forget is that he did show improvement throughout the year. And some of his 22 TD passes were plus level throws not all QBs make. The one to Seals-Jones against Seattle comes to mind. The guy has a penchant for plus level throws.

My only real concern with Baker ... and I'll admit it's a big one ... is that he's not clutch. He plays his best when expectations and pressure are low. I do want to see clutch level play this year. Baker is touted for his moxie, but his moxie is only manifested when he's the underdog. This bears watching. We need to see clutch play (come from behind victories) against the best teams in the league, not the dregs.