Cleveland Browns
Projected record: 2–14
There’s cause for some optimism in Cleveland, but you have to know this season won’t bear much fruit in terms of wins. The Browns strengthened their offensive line and continued to add to their receiving corps even after years of mistakes at that position. They didn’t screw up the top pick and got versatile Jabrill Peppers. I appreciate Cleveland not forcing the issue at QB, but I have a bad feeling Brock Osweiler will be the starter come Week 1.
Pivotal game: Week 11 vs. Jaguars. I considered being sarcastic and saying there is no pivotal game on the schedule for the Browns this year... But remember the emotion in Hue Jackson’s face when they beat the Chargers on Christmas Eve 2016? Cleveland has to build on the one-win season in order for tanking to work. There aren’t many Ws on the schedule, but Jacksonville is the first winnable game for the Browns.
