DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum 2024 Season Predictions

AFCE
Bills
Jets
Dolphins
Patriots

AFCN
Ravens
Bengals
Browns
Steelers

AFCS
Texans
Colts
Jaguars
Titans

AFCW
Chiefs
Chargers
Raiders
Broncos

NFCE
Eagles
Cowboys
Commanders
Giants

NFCN
Lions
Packers
Bears
Vikings

NFCS
Falcons
Bucs
Saints
Panthers

NFCW
49ers
Rams
Seahawks
Cardinals


AFC PLAYOFFS
1. Chiefs
2. Texans
3. Ravens
4. Bills
5. Bengals
6. Jets
7. Colts

NFC PLAYOFFS
1. 49ers
2. Eagles
3. Lions
4. Falcons
5. Packers
6. Cowboys
7. Rams


AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Chiefs over Ravens

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Eagles over 49ers


SUPER BOWL
Chiefs over Eagles

AFCE
Jets
Dolphins
Bills
Patriots

AFCN
Ravens
Bengals
Browns
Steelers

AFCS
Texans
Jaguars
Titans
Colts

AFCW
Chiefs
Chargers
Broncos
Raiders

NFCE
Eagles
Cowboys
Giants
Commanders

NFCN
Lions
Packers
Bears
Vikings

NFCS
Buccs
Falcons
Saints
Panthers

NFCW
49ers
Rams
Seahawks
Cardinals


AFC PLAYOFFS
1. Chiefs
2. Texans
3. Ravens
4. Jets
5. Bengals
6. Dolphins
7. Jaguars

NFC PLAYOFFS
1. 49ers
2. Eagles
3. Lions
4. Buccs
5. Packers
6. Rams
7. Falcons


AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Chiefs over Ravens

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Lions over 49ers


SUPER BOWL
Chiefs over Lions

Damn, you guys don't even have us making the playoffs?

I'd feel MUCH better if the end of the season schedule wasn't such a gauntlet. It makes the early games so crucial

Nope, I'm to unsure about what kind of play we'll get with Watson and from our OLine plus we don't know what sort of contribution Chubb will be able to make and our running game took a huge hit when he went down last year.

I agree. I hope i’m wrong but I see 8-9 wins for us for the reasons given and a difficult schedule.

I believe there are far too many variables at this point in time to get overly confident. The first is we have no idea how watson will perform and secondly we have no actual timetable as to when Chubb will return and how long after he returns it will take him to get back to his old form. I believe it's logical to feel even after he returns, whenever that may be, he will be introduced slowly and it may very will take time to get back to his old form.

I think people's hopes are much different than they're realistic expectations at this juncture.

I’m more optimistic but I have two bars that need to be met. Deshaun needs to be slightly above average, like 10-16th in the league, and the injury bug needs to not beat us like 2 dollar horse. If those two things come to pass we’re at least vying for the division in the last 6 games of the season.

We have a tough schedule on first glance but (and I know this is a separate thread) I don’t actually put much stock into the specific strength of schedule stat. There’s so much shifting from one year to the next something like 1/2 of everyone’s scheduled opponents are just a very different team than they were last year. I think it would be an interesting bit of analysis to measure variance and accuracy of the SOC stat line from one year to the next. I’d bet it’d hover a lot nearer the 50% mark than the 100% mark. And 50% is useless as a stat. Of course WE might be a team that’s completely different this year. I could see us being a lot worse with injuries and Deshaun (a lot of last year was luck) and thus throwing off the stat line for everyone else on our schedule. But so can anyone else. And if you are putting a bunch of stock in SOC, the steelers and ravens don’t have it much better than we do. Seems the Bengals might have caught a break but I, perhaps foolishly, never fear the bengals.

10-7, 2nd in the div. Wildcard win against colts. Div round loss to the Texans (again).

I look a lot more at the early schedule than the late. A lot changes over the course of a season. What looks like a gauntlet could look a lot different if Burrows and/or Lamar get hurt yet again and/or the Steelers get a Russ that looks even worse than in Denver.

We'll see how it plays out. Injuries will surely play a part in the ultimate outcome, and one can never really predict how the ball will bounce before it's in motion.

Unfortunately, you have to look high and far to find anyone that's predicting the Browns for a playoff spot. Too many questions on the offense starting with the elephant in the room QB Watson's play to date. Add into that a current suspect o-line, questionable running game, and 2 WR's in: Jeudy who hasn't played to expectations as of yet in the NFL and Moore who highly disappointed in 2023.

That doesn't mean that it won't come together but as of today - way too many question marks to even consider the Browns for a playoff birth.

Agree with this 100%.

What always seems like a gauntlet transforms over time, for all of the above reasons and more. Having the early season to get entrenched in our new systems is a blessing -- as long as we capitalize.

Predicting the strength of our schedule the past few years has been an exercise in opposites.

NOW. This does look rough, but if we look at the past few years, the North just beats the crap out of each other. So really, the hardest part of our schedule, or predicting our possible results, is accepting the fact that we almost have to win our division to have more than a puncher's chance at anything.

I seen this often enough in other sports, with other teams, with other players, that I believe that The Browns biggest hurdle is their own demons.

There’s enough talent in this organization.
There’s enough difference makers both on offense and defense.
Our coaching staff is competent enough to win but the question is if they’re experienced and brave enough to grab the moment?

Injuries is like rolling the dice. We need luck. Tons of luck.

Finally the Browns match going supporters plays a huge part in the team’s success.
If they’re anxious then the players get’s nervous. If the die hard Browns crowd, the Dawgs, fully believe the team can go all the way then the chances to win it all increases with 1000%.

The mental aspect is where the game starts end ends.

Stefanski needs to step up all the way and show cohones.
Watson needs to leave the past and walk into the future.

The rest of us should enjoy the ride and follow the flow.

My prediction. 2nd place after the Ravens. We go all the way to the conference final and there injuries and luck will determine the outcome.

My second prediction is that they all chokes and the season is over before it even begun.

Good post.

no injuries... 11-win season
some injuries at key positions.. 9 win season
lots of injuries or Watson... 7 win season

AFC PLAYOFFS
1. Chiefs
2. Ravens
3. Texans
4. Jets
5. Bengals
6. Dolphins
7. Browns

NFC PLAYOFFS
1. 49ers
2. Lions
3. Cowboys
4. Falcons
5. Packers
6. Eagles
7. Rams


AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Chiefs over Ravens

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Lions over 49ers


SUPER BOWL
Chiefs over Lions

If the D can build even slightly off of last year, we can hang with anyone. Offense is a huge ? but if we can get W's with the XFL QB that I've already forced from my memory, I think we have as good a chance as anyone.

We match up well vs Cincy
Pitt has Tomlin but a roster that gets more and more mediocre each year
Ravens are good

I dunno, if we can make as much noise as we did last year... why not?

My prediction… we find out the truth about DW’s ability to be a top 5 QB and finish behind the Ravens and Bengals @ 10-7 missing the playoffs or squeaking out a first round loss wild card spot. I simply do not believe in DW.

Unfortunately for you Tampa is on at the same time as the Browns. You’ll have to record one.

Thanks!

One of the most crucial parts to get success is if the owner and the decision makers at the FO is willing to give Stefanski a signal to go all in no matter what.
What does it mean?

Firstly to approach the game without fear and anxiousness. Go for it in every phase of the game. Don't hold back!
If the train slips outside the rails we just lift it back and move on. If we starts to thinker, doubt ourselves or show weaknesses then we're doomed.

Secondly.

Play with confidence and joy. (One more time) We must play with confidence and joy!!
It means we have to trust each other no matter what.

The Cleveland Browns has a rich history but the last 20 years has been without success and that has erode our self esteem and lowered our self confidence.
A bad start the first couple of games and things can quickly go out of our hands.

We need a good start so we build confidence and self esteem.
It's a MUST.

Building a winning mentality is also about creating a goal, paint a vision, sell a dream.
Those who believe will be rewarded, those who fear will be left behind and don't understand why.

j/c -

I see some depressing predictions considering 2+ seasons ago we were a good QB away from being expected to go 'deep' into the play off'.

Every team will face injuries - if our best players go out it will be tough but I am hoping for 10 wins and a run at the playoffs. If we make the playoffs it will be about momentum - are we peaking or are we regressing at the end of the season.

There's absolutely tons of positives to take away from the Stefanski years - among them the ability to overcome adversity and rise above some of the small stuff/noise around the team. We've also seen some trends that need to stop or weaknesses that need to addressed: Getting cute with play calling, getting pass happy with back up or poorly performing QBs. Game management in some games is great in many games and in some it's been (highly) questionable. Hoping it all comes together. Overall my hope/expectation is to sit and start watching them play every game and feel like we can win the game.

Bone you make some good points that I agree with. However I did predict 8-9 wins simply because we have some important “ifs” that have to be determined. Dw, the O- Line, Nick coming back and his effectiveness. Let’s face it our offense is a big question mark. Add a tough schedule and there is cause for concern. If the “ifs” go our way then yes we can match last year’s win total and be a playoff team.

Our OL was missing people last year, Nick was missing last year, DW was missing last year.

We can make the playoffs if all those "ifs" go wrong again.

If they all go right, we could do better than be a playoff team.

Of course, there are plenty of other things that could go wrong, too.

I think at times people pay too much attention to our "ifs" and forget that every other team has them, too.

I'm not so sure I follow you logic here. Just last season, against all odds, Stefanski managed to get the Browns into the playoffs after having to use four different starting QB's and a myriad of injuries. Why anyone would think that isn't a sign of a good leader who instills confidence in his players is beyond me.

As I recall he made some very daring calls. Went for it often on 4th downs. When he did he was lambasted by the fan base for it. I'm simply not understanding what it is or why it is you are now questioning those very things. Those are not calls made by a man who lacks confidence in his team.

It is really hard to pick this because so much in the NFL is what injuries happen and those few plays every game that are real game changers and those inopportune/(or timely depending who you are and where you are playing) penalties that seem to pop up.

I have seen the so called experts say every thing about us from we will win 7 to we will be playing on the road in the AFC Championship game. I am in the middle of that 9-8 or 10-7

The 2 attributes we have this year from last season are a good coaching staff and this team has a lot of heart. Those are facts. We won games last season despite all the injuries. Hopefully there won't be as many this year. We did win a few close games last year. There is the chance we can do so again but if you lose games like that the end result could be the difference of a very good season or a disappointing one. We won those games last year the result was a playoff year. Again, we'll have to wait and see. What will happen is anyone's guess at this point.

We played against a lot of really bad QBs last year...we won (8) games by (4) points or less...in spite of the number of things that went 'wrong' for us last year, we also had a number of things that went 'right' for us as well.

We also play the 2nd Place schedule for the (3) odd conference games this season while we played the 4th place schedule last year...Jags - Dolphins - Saints rather than Titans - Panthers - Patriots (Our schedule this year compared to that of the Bengals.)

So many moving parts that thinking last years successes - or failures - will repeat is tough to reconcile.

I am very pessimistic about this season as well as KS & AB. However, I do believe - as you implied above - that being a team that regularly wins close games is a sign that something in the coaching and culture IS working. It's hard to believe that winning (8) 4pt-or-less games was/is just good fortune...especially with all the moving parts from last season.

I'm still in 'Show-me' mode...and...was it a good thing or a bad thing that DW played as little as he did? I really don't know what to think about that.

lets take a look at the QBs (barring injury) that we will be facing:

Dak Prescott
Trevor Lawrence
Daniel Jones
Gardner Minshew
Jayden Daniels
Jalen Hurts
Joe Burrow
Lamar Jackson
Justin Herbert
Derek Carr
Russell Wilson
Bo Nix
Russell Wilson
Patrick Mahomes
Joe Burrow
Tua Tagalovoa
Lamar Jackson

I'd say we have the QB advantage in less than 5 of those games

I am curious to learn which five you see us having the edge over. Pretty daunting list; not sure, but my number might be less than your five. Apprehensive until I see him perform well under fire. Not certain today that I like our chances in a flat out track meet shootout affair. Prove me wrong! Here we go, Brownies!

QB's that I think we have a DEFINITIVE edge over (others could be close or debatable, like Russell Wilson or Tua or even Minshew)

Daniel Jones
Jayden Daniels (strictly because he's a rookie)
Derek Carr (though it's close-ish)
Bo Nix (strictly because he's a rookie)

Can't say I feel more comfortable adding any of the others

Am I the only one who’s worried about the RB room?

No. I have heard a lot of worry from Browns fans about our backfield. Personally I’m not worried but I understand those who are.

I'm not worried but I am not as happy as I would like to be. I think we are solid, but not exemplary.

I'm not worried, per se. I guess it's a little eyebrow raising.

Maybe it's just me, but the Stefanski era seems all about scheming for chunk yardage way more than just ground and pound. Yes, Chubb is in a league all his own, but I feel like a lot of average backs could look very good in our offense.

That said, this is the first year in a while I'm a little concerned about our offensive line, and great line play is easy to take for granted when things are going well.

Good thoughts on your OL concerns.
The OT position is at least, something to dwell upon, but our interior three are all elite. I’ve been spoiled by Nick Chubb so perhaps I’m fretting for no reason. I like Strong better than Ford even though they play different styles but they are just guys.

Hmmmm my prediction.

We will win some games and lose some games.

Some of us will go overboard every time we win ;;; WOOHOO Super Bowl baby.

Some of us will bitch and moan every time something is not PERFECT.

Some of us will just enjoy the roller coaster ride yet again.

We will all laugh, scream, yell, holler, hug strangers at the game or in a bar.

Some will just sit back and take it all in. Enjoy the smells, sights, sounds, and relive past memories during the season.

So my prediction is that god willing if we are still here next season we will take this crazy ride all over again win, lose, or draw.