The Cleveland Browns enter the 2024 season spending the most money in the entire league. While they have a $50 million question mark at quarterback, they also have the most talented team. The Browns will get their money’s worth this season as they face one of the toughest schedules in the NFL.
I believe the Browns will win the AFC North and make a deep playoff run.
The Browns will start the season hot, going 6-0 against the weak NFC East, an inexperienced Jacksonville Jaguars team, and a feckless Las Vegas Raiders squad. The Browns will split one of their next two games against AFC North rivals the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns will beat the Los Angeles Chargers before the bye week.
The then 8-1 Browns will continue their hot streak rolling over the Saints, Steelers, and Broncos. The Browns will be 11-1 heading into December. The Browns end the season battling against some of the toughest teams in the AFC for playoff positioning.
The Browns lost to the Steelers in Pittsburgh in Week 14. They lost again the following week to the Chiefs after some Mahomes magic in the final minutes. The Browns will right the ship against the Bengals and the Dolphins. They will rest their starters in Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens after clinching the AFC North title the week before.
The Browns finish the season with a 14-3 record. Myles Garrett will retain the Defensive Player of the Year Award. Nick Chubb will win Comeback Player of the Year. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Denzel Ward make First Team All-Pro for the first time. The Browns’ defense repeats as the best in the NFL. The offense is flirting with the top 10 in EPA.
The Browns are the second seed in the AFC. In their second year, the defense will have enough checks and wrinkles to remain unbothered by constant pre-snap motions. The Browns defense will show up for the postseason, unlike last year. They will help the Browns win decisive victories during the wild-card and divisional rounds.
The Browns will have their rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Conference Championship game. The Browns’ defense will limit the Chiefs and Mahomes just enough for the Browns to squeak by with a victory.
The Browns will play their first Super Bowl against the Detroit Lions. The Browns and Lions have always been mirror images of each other. It’s serendipitous that their years-long journeys would have them meet in the Super Bowl. The Browns’ defense will win them a championship this year. Myles Garrett will hold the Lombardi Trophy over his head.
Browns fans will look for a Playstation controller to turn off before realizing the curse is finally over.