The Browns still have a chance to make the AFC playoffs.
That's not a joke, even though it might seem like one after the Patriots dumped what seemed to be yet another dose of reality on the 2019 offseason darlings in a 27-13 New England victory. Cleveland is 2-5 and three games back in a weak AFC North.
What would possess anybody to think this team is fit to stay in the AFC playoff hunt? Start with the schedule, focus on the division, look at the stars and hope this is part of the maturation process for a talented, Baker Mayfield-led team team that is still learning to play together.
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Super Bowl runs do not happen overnight, but a playoff run can be cobbled together in half a season. Here is why we believe that is still possible for the Browns.
Browns' schedule gets lighter.
There are no moral victories, but take a closer look at Cleveland’s losses. Tennessee is the worst team with a .500 record. The Rams, 49ers, Seahawks and Patriots have a combined winning percentage of .839. New England and San Francisco are the last two unbeaten teams in the NFL this season.
If the first half of the season proved anything, it's that the Browns are not quite ready for the Super Bowl conversation. Take solace in the fact that the 49ers, who dumped the Browns 31-7 on "Monday Night Football," were last year’s "it" team. Perhaps the hype is a year early.
Forget about that. Look at the remaining schedule now.
| Cleveland's opponent | W | L |
| at Denver | 2 | 6 |
| vs. Buffalo | 6 | 2 |
| vs. Pittsburgh (Thur.) | 2 | 4 |
| vs. Miami | 0 | 6 |
| at Pittsburgh | 2 | 4 |
| vs. Cincinnati | 0 | 8 |
| at Arizona | 3 | 4 |
| vs. Baltimore | 5 | 2 |
| at Cincinnati | 0 | 8 |
Those teams have a combined winning percentage of .318 when you double the records of the Bengals and Steelers.
Browns can win key division games.
The Browns’ quickest path back to the AFC North race is to win their division games, and their biggest chip is a 40-25 victory at Baltimore in Week 4. That could come in handy later. It goes without saying that Cleveland needs to sweep in-state rival Cincinnati for the second straight season.
The games with Pittsburgh in Week 11 and Week 13, however, will go a long way in determining whether Cleveland can make a run in the division. The Steelers are 2-4 heading into Monday’s matchup against the Dolphins, which should be a victory. Pittsburgh’s remaining opponents from there have a combined winning percentage of .437.
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Cleveland has an easier path than that of Pittsburgh if it takes care of those head-to-head games. The first comes on "Thursday Night Football" in Cleveland in Week 11. That could be the game that decides which team stays in the race.
The winner could take a run at the Ravens, whose remaining opponents have a .537 winning percentage. Baltimore plays the Patriots, Rams, Texans and 49ers, too.
The Browns' focus needs to stay in the AFC North, and they might get a big game in Baltimore in Week 16.
Browns' stars will shine brighter.
Running back Nick Chubb is among the NFL rushing leaders with 738 yards. Defensive end Myles Garrett has 10 sacks. Kareem Hunt will return from his suspension soon.
The Browns still have talent that is performing at a high level. Now it’s on Mayfield, who has struggled with interceptions (12) while taking too many sacks (21); Odell Beckham Jr. (34 catches, 488 yards, one TD); and Jarvis Landry (30 catches, 494 yards) to continue to make an impact on the offense.
They also need to get in the end zone. That will happen in the second half of the season.
Browns can learn from early-season struggles.
The Browns took the Rams down to the last play in a 20-13 loss, a game Cleveland had every chance to win in the fourth quarter. The Browns were not wiped out by the Pats, either. Those teams were in the Super Bowl last season. Those are experiences that should lead to improvement.
The rest of the season will fall on Freddie Kitchens. For a franchise that finally found its quarterback, the head coach has been almost as elusive. Cleveland has not kept a coach for more than four seasons since Marty Schottenheimer from 1984-88.
Kitchens needs to prove himself just as much as this team does in the second half of the season and into 2020.
This can still be the year Cleveland makes the AFC playoffs. If it doesn't become that, then the self-inflicted pressure will be off the charts next season.
