Tag: Cleveland Browns vs. Indianapolis Colts

Report: Browns hopeful Deshaun Watson returns vs. Colts

The Browns have optimism QB1 returns this week.

The Cleveland Browns have been without their starting quarterback Deshaun Watson the last two weeks as he has worked through a bruised rotator cuff. And while head coach Kevin Stefanski continued to label Watson day-to-day as he continues to rehab, Cleveland dot com’s Mary Kay Cabot has reported the Browns are optimistic their starting quarterback returns this week against the Indianapolis Colts.

Even though they snuck out a win against the San Francisco 49ers this past week with practice squad quarterback P.J. Walker under center, the Browns would very much like their $230 million quarterback back in the starting lineup. Walker deserves his flowers for grinding out a tough win, but the Browns need to get back to something sustainable.

Sitting at 3-2 after a shocking win over the previously undefeated Niners, the Browns now find themselves in a position to make a deep run at an AFC North title and beyond. Getting their starting quarterback on the field is an important step in that process, however.

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Schefter: Browns expected to get All-Pro Joel Bitonio back vs. Colts

The All-Pro is expected to return after just a week off.

While the All-Pro guard’s 102-straight-game streak has come to an end, Joel Bitonio is not expected to miss any more time. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that the Cleveland Browns can expect the longest-tenured member of their team to return in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts.

The bulk of Schefter’s article was about the shoulder injury of the quarterback Deshaun Watson, he did sneak in one sentence about Bitonio as well:

“Bitonio, who made 102 consecutive starts for the Browns, will be replaced by Michael Dunn but is expected to be back next week against the Colts.”

The Browns will play eight AFC opponents over their last 12 games of the season, starting in Week 7 in Indianapolis. This would be a massive boost to the Browns to not only get Watson potentially back against the Colts, but also the embodiment of consistency and continued dominance in Bitonio as well.

Getting Bitonio back in their lineup is a necessity to make a run.

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Updated AFC playoff picture after Week 16 and how the Browns get in

Cleveland is still “win-and-get-in” entering Week 17 but it’s more complicated

The Cleveland Browns entered Week 16 with their playoff destiny in their own hands. Win against the New York Jets and then against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17 and Cleveland would have finished no worse than the No. 5 seed and top Wild Card.

Alas, that did not happen. The dilapidated Browns fell to the Jets, 23-16. And while they can still control their own fate with a win in Week 17, the outlook is a lot less rosy after the weekend’s action.

Miami kicked off the AFC weekend with a stirring comeback win over the Raiders that eliminated Las Vegas. After rookie Tua Tagovailoa was benched, veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick took over at quarterback for Miami and authored an improbable final drive to set up the game-winning field goal.

The Dolphins improved to 10-5 with the win. Miami does own the multi-team tiebreaker over all the other 10-5 teams, of which the Browns find themselves as well.

The Colts are also 10-5 after blowing a big lead against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh’s comeback win cemented the AFC North title and made their Week 17 game in Cleveland inconsequential for the division crown. The Colts fell out of the playoff picture due to the tie-breakers, behind the Browns and the Ravens.

Baltimore jumped in from the outside by thumping the New York Giants, 27-13. The Ravens have won four in a row and seized the No. 6 seed with the win. The Browns, who lost both games to Baltimore during the season, are the No. 7 seed right now.

How the Browns clinch

Cleveland clinches a berth with a win over the Steelers. No matter what else happens in Week 17, the Browns are still “win and they’re in”. The seeding is complicated, but that’s for next week.

The Browns can also sneak in the back door if the Colts lose to the Jaguars. Jacksonville clinched the No. 1 overall pick when the Jets beat the Browns, so there is no reason for the Jaguars to tank.

Another possibility still in play: if the Titans lose in both Week 16 and Week 17, the Browns are in, win or lose, next week. Tennessee plays Green Bay on Sunday night and is on the road for 4-11 Houston in Week 17.

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Rookie Jordan Elliott expected to start at DT vs. the Colts in Week 5

Elliott will start with Larry Ogunjobi sidelined

Rookie Jordan Elliott will be in the starting lineup at defensive tackle in Week 5. Cleveland’s third-round rookie from Missouri will take over for injured starter Larry Ogunjobi, who will miss the game with an oblique strain.

In his Friday Zoom session with reporters, head coach Kevin Stefanski indicated Elliott will make his first career start on Sunday when the Indianapolis Colts come to FirstEnergy Stadium.

“He’s played pretty well so far,” Stefanski said of Elliott. “We’re counting on him. He’s pretty responsible, follows through on studying to make sure he’s in the right spot, the right place. We just need him to go out there and do whatever is asked of him and do a good job.”

Elliott has consistently played between 33 and 45 percent of the defensive snaps as part of the Browns’ tackle rotation. In four games he has recorded three tackles.

Stefanski deferred on a follow-up question if the team would seek external help to bolster the wounded defensive line depth.

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