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If the Browns can't beat the Steelers with a still developing Pickett at QB it could be a very long season. If they don't come out of those two games at least 1-1 it could spell a lot of trouble on the horizon.

I agree... I would love 2-0 but my expectations are 1-1.... if our offense is clicking to start the season we should be able to beat Bengals at home.... but they are still the best team in the AFC north..

Pittsburgh at their place at night is a tough place to win... but our defense should give Pickett a tough time...

I'm not going to get into a guessing game on how the season will go, or the first 2 games. I think like most seasons 0-2 will bring some cries that the skybhas fallen. 2-0 might bring some that will think we are bound for a deep run in the playoffs.

The reality concerning Watson is that we can go 0-2 on the back of him playing well or even great. And we can go 2-0 off the back of him playing badly. I'll judge him based on his performances. And if he plays badly then maybe you look at last year and see if he's playing at the same level or if there had been improvement... It won't be conclusive either way.

It's on Kevin Stefanski doing the right thing, and the kicker making kicks,
they cost the team games last year b/c they didn't do enough to win games fifty to nothing.

That should be the goal, put up 52 points plus, every week.

Aim for fifty two, to end up with 28, instead of thirteen. Otherwise there is no talent on earth the analytics group could win it all with.

I think there will be alot of pressure on the Browns
To come out the gate strong. Defensive overhaul. New targets
On offense. Stefanski trying to go from
A ground and pound offense to a Air Raid
Offense.

If the Browns go 2-0 it will give the locker room
A serious jolt of confidence
But 0-2 that's really 0-4 cause it's a division
Game and you have to factor in playoff
Tie breakers. 0-2 and this team probably
Misses the playoffs

I'm pessimistic by nature of being a Browns fan. Until they prove otherwise, I can't give us the benefit of the doubt.

I know we've beaten the Bengals the past few years, but I still would be surprised if we do again. They are good.

We don't have much success in Pittsburgh either lol.

It's certainly a really, really tough opening few games

Hot Take:

3 of the first 4 Cleveland Browns games are against division rivals.

Week 1 Cincinnati Bengals
Week 2 Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 4 Baltimore Ravens

After week 4 we will know if Stefanski still has a job especially with week 5 being the bye

there's a lot on the table for us before October

We will all feel the pressure this season. Players, coaching staff, Jimmy Haslam, the FO, even we, the poor fans.

We’re getting to close to having good players passing their prime, so the time to win is now.

All we can focus on now, in terms of the regular season, is the opener. The FO did about as much as they could to this off-season: they filled holes on D, drafted with a similar mindset.
Three things will determine 2023 for the Browns: health, the play of our QB, and what Jim Schwartz can do for our D.

Our QB has to be at his best, if not, we will struggle. If Watson can revert to form, we will win a lot of games and might nail down a Super Bowl.
Gonna be interesting, dont stress out in mid July about the first few weeks.

The 1st 5 games will determine the season. Divisional games plus the 49ers
Anything less than 3 and 2 in that stretch and this team
Is in a serious uphill battle the rest of the season.

I know a win is a win but the Browns are going to have
To show some examples of dominance.
Very rarely since 99 have the Browns dominated the other
Team for 4 quarters.

It's going to have to take all 53 on board for this team
To get to the playoffs. This team has failed to succeed
When doing the little things under Stefanski

A win is a win whether it's by 1 point or 30. In 2022 the Vikings won 66.7% of the time when trailing at the start of the 4th Quarter. They had nine comeback victories last season in games when they were trailing in the second half. Their fans, coaches, FO nor the record books care that they weren't dominating those games. As always there's only one qualifier. Just win baby!

I agree w/the idea that the time is NOW. We have a group of players (Garrett, Chubb, Cooper, Ward, Teller, Bitonio, etc) that have windows of their prime ... and we supposedly have a FQB. Not winning this year is a disaster.

We will.

If I had to watch a game with no passing or no running, I choose to never see a back on the field.

I think you know, i have been a spread the field type for years.

there is a reason we haven't made backup RB a big priority. Either we don't want to waste the $ on a vet, think Ford can do it, or simply know we won't be running as much. Maybe a combo of all 3

This might be the offense that Stefanski has always wanted to run
The spread offense 11 personal like the Bengals Bills run but Baker
Really limited what KS could scheme up.

Like the offensive setup you describe. I immediately see Chubb on some draws, wheels, and screens. He will be tough to handle. This group seems built for screens; I think they can be devastating. Go, Browns.

we absolutely will be running a lot... I think we hope Ford will be a good second option... but Watson will also end up with a few called run plays as well...

I hope we need to run effectively this year. We can never hurt an opponent in too many ways. I think it will be a necessity in bad weather off the lake, and we hopefully need it to close out games. Watson's ability to run should be part of that. Do we need to sweat the backup? Some. Play your best; plan for the worst. I think we may have an edge with all the new stuff we will field this year, making opponents plan for more things, and for different looks, plays, personnel. But nobody has to honor your threat until you hurt someone with it, which we have failed to do. Make the other guy perform and adjust to you, pressuring him. I feel pretty good about us with a new D; I hope this offense as called can keep up. Go, Browns!

I agree. I am just not sure that Nick is all that good of a receiver, but he does catch the ball, so that is something we can work on.

The idea of getting him the ball outside in clear space makes me drool. I like his chances against corners, safeties. When Watson rolls and sprints outside. simple passes should offer YAC if he drops the ball over defenders. Long day outside.

I almost always make a small wager on the Browns on Monday night games. One of the things I’ve found so frustrating about the browns in years past is how they would rise to the occasion in national games, showing what they were really capable of, only to sink back into mediocrity in the other games. The Bengals are slow season starters and I think the Stealers may struggle this year. I hope so anyway. I’m usually perceived as a negative Nancy (I think I’m a faithful rationalist) but I’m thinking the Browns may well come out hot this year. Where it goes? Only the football gods know.

They have got to come out hot. If they do and win 3 of 4, it's on from there

We better be 2-0! The Bengals couldn’t beat a Baker led team, and neither would these Steelers. Watson’s rust excuse is ancient history now.

I understand the feeling, though 2-2 would work.

You don't win the Superbowl in the first 4 weeks of the season. To me the important number is the total number of regular season wins. It's a long season. Other teams have to win their games as well.

I will say if we are 1-3 or 0-4, it probably isn't going to add up. That will lead to a bye week coaching change. If that happens I might as well equip my weekend travel suitcase for weekend trips to Nashville, Mobile, or New Orleans and forget about the remaining trips up to Cleveland for games.

Go Browns!

Maybe this is the year we become a solid contender.

That is all I want. Just be a solid contender. If you do that then your chances are as good as anyone else. Then you just see where the chips fall.

I see one of three things happening this year.

1) Watson stinks it up and we suck.

2) Watson returns to great form and we go deep into the playoffs.

3) Watson is great but Ski proves he’s not a good HC and next year we have a new HC.

I agree. It isn't all or nothing at the QB position.

230 million dollars says the Browns feel differently about that.