NFL Network Pundit Believes Browns Still Have Super Bowl Aspirations

When the 2023 season kicked off the Cleveland Browns were draped in massive expectations. Given the accumulation of talent on the roster, making the playoffs was at the very least a minimum requirement for Kevin Stefanski's group, or jobs were on the line.

Through 11 games, the Browns find themselves well positioned to make that dream a reality, but due to an excessive number of injuries that have struck the team this season those expectations have been dialed back by a lot of pundits.

The team is missing starting right tackle Jack Conklin, star running back Nick Chubb, franchise QB Deshaun Watson, lockdown cornerback Denzel Ward and now star edge rusher Myles Garrett is dealing with a shoulder injury. Things may feel bleak but not everyone is counting out the Browns just yet.

Andrew Siciliano of the NFL Network joined the mid-day show on the radio home of the Browns, 92.3 The Fan and explained why the Super Bowl isn't out of the question for the Browns, even with a murky quarterback situation at the moment.

"Injuries stacked up," Siciliano began. "The teams that make it to Vegas are the teams with a healthy quarterback, period. The healthy, elite quarterback. The Browns don't have one. But, I think they have enough pieces and I think Stefanski's done a miraculous job this year coaching that they have a seat at table. They're in this conversation. They're invited to the party. But, they are gonna have to out-coach you out-scheme you, out-work you every week."

To Siciliano's point, that's been the Browns recipe for winning for most of the season already, so it's nothing new for them. At 7-4, they have a chance to clinch a playoff berth in the coming weeks if they navigate the final six games successfully and avoid a collapse of epic proportions. The quest to do just that continues Sunday against the Rams.

That said, as injuries continue to pile up it's fair to wonder what the breaking point is for this team? Garrett's status moving forward will be a key. So too is sorting through the uncertainty at the quarterback position, with Dorian Thompson-Robinson working through the concussion protocol and veteran Joe Flacco next in line to start if he's unavailable.

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"They can do it this week," Siciliano continued. "I have faith in them doing it any week against any opponent and I truly do believe that. Especially with this defense ... I find a clear path to victory with this team every week."

For what it's worth, Siciliano is an unabashed Browns fan. He had the opportunity to fill in for Jim Donovan this season, calling play-by-play for Cleveland's memorable win over the San Francisco 49ers. Admittedly, Siciliano also added that he's more of an eternal optimist when it comes to assessing his favorite team each week.

Perhaps his mentality could be beneficial for the rest of the fan base to hear ahead of the final six games of the season.