USA Today projects the Browns to go 10-7, miss the playoffs

Can the Browns surprise in the tough AFC North?

The Cleveland Browns need to get back into the playoffs in 2023 as they get back to work in training camp. Head coach Kevin Stefanski’s job may depend on it. However, there are not a ton of outlets that have much faith in them to prevail in the tough AFC North.

USA Today’s Nate Davis is just the latest to give a record prediction for all 32 teams, and his outlook for the Browns is not overwhelmingly positive. All-in-all, Davis projects the Browns to win 10 games, but finish last in the AFC North and narrowly miss the playoffs.

Here is what Davis had to say about the outlook in 2023 for Cleveland:

“This outlook – and, in all likelihood, HC Kevin Stefanski’s job – are dependent on QB Deshaun Watson reverting to his Pro Bowl peak and progressing past his 2022 showing, when he looked like a poor fit for Cleveland’s offense and was subpar in what amounted to a knocking-off-the-rust, preseason-caliber performance. Continuity can only help … as would the emergence of Elijah Moore or David Bell into another dependable wide receiver. And don’t be surprised if DE Myles Garrett, now playing opposite fellow pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, makes a run at the single-season sack record (22½).”

The AFC North will be a tough division, and it is not up to the Browns to compete with the likes of their rivals but to be better than them. Could 2023 be the year the Browns turn some heads in a tough division?

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