NFL predictions 2020: Browns final record projection, Super Bowl odds & more to know

The Cleveland Browns will be a playoff team in 2020. 

Yeah, Sporting News knows we said that last year. The Browns were one of the season's biggest busts on every level. Freddie Kitchens was fired after a disappointing 6-10 season in which Baker Mayfield endured a sophomore slump, Odell Beckham Jr. battled injuries and Myles Garrett was suspended for hitting Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph in the head with a helmet. 

Those three players will set the tone to get the Browns back on track this season, and it doesn't hurt to have Nick Chubb — who ranked second in the NFL with 1,494 rushing yards last season. 

Enter new coach Kevin Stefanski, who is responsible for leaving that turnaround. The Browns addressed a shoddy offensive line by adding Jack Conklin via free agency and Jedrick Wills in the draft, and the defense can build around the return of Garrett. 

The schedule also is much easier this time around. Sporting News looks at the Browns' prospects for 2020 and why we believe this is a playoff team. 

MORE NFL PREDICTIONS:
SN's complete 2020 standings projections & playoff picks

Browns record prediction for 2020

• Record: 8-8
• Division: No. 3 in AFC North 
• Playoffs: No. 7 seed in AFC

Iyer's take: The Browns, with the hype from last season gone, will live up to it much better as a more efficient offensive team with Kevin Stefanski and Alex Van Pelt implementing more QB-friendly scheming for Baker Mayfield. Healthier weapons and a mightier line also help. The defense will see enough improvement to complement what will be a third AFC North playoff team in 2020.

Bender's take: The offensive line additions were huge for Mayfield, who took 40 sacks in 2019. Tight end Austin Hooper should open up the middle of the field, too. The Browns have skill-position talent that can match up with anybody, and it really does hinge on Beckham bouncing back to make this an elite offense once and for all. The defense collapsed late last season, but getting Garrett back will fix that. This team can compete in the AFC North with Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Talent isn't the issue. It comes down to clearing some psychological hurdles that have plagued the franchise since its return in 1999.

Browns odds for 2020 win total, Super Bowl

• Win total: Over/under 8.5
• Super Bowl odds: +3000 (15th best)

(Odds courtesy Sports Insider)

Vegas was higher on the Browns last season, but the 8.5-win total is about right. Despite last year's full-fledged disaster, Cleveland still won six games and split with Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The problem is the Browns also split with Cincinnati, which will be improved with No. 1 pick Joe Burrow. 

Cleveland hasn't had a winning season since 2007 and hasn't made the playoffs since 2002. Less hype, however, should lead to better results. 

The Browns can look at the 49ers, too, a franchise that made the Super Bowl a year after being the offseason darling of the NFL. Granted, Cleveland has never made the Super Bowl, but those odds are worth taking a flier on with a buy-low mentality.  

MORE: Week 1 NFL picks against the spread | Week 1 odds from Sports Insider

Browns schedule 2020

The five non-divisional opponents on the Browns’ schedule had a combined 19-19 record at home last season, and that needs to be exploited. Cleveland has far-less prime-time exposure, and the Week 2 matchup with the Bengals should be interesting coming off the opener at Baltimore. 

In other words, Cleveland can't start 0-2. 

The Browns also need to be better on the road. Cleveland is 4-12 on the road the last two seasons. The only teams that have been worse are Miami (3-13), Oakland (3-13) and Cincinnati (2-13). That is not the company playoff teams want to keep. 

December features what could be marquee homes game against Baltimore and Pittsburgh, and there are back-to-back road games against the Giants and Jets in New York. If there was ever a time for Beckham Jr. to prove it, then it would be in that stretch.