NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
Is it time for the Cleveland Browns to panic? With the marriage between QB Deshaun Watson and then the divorce between the Browns and QB Baker Mayfield, fans were in a bit of a tailspin heading into the 2022 season. While the season is still young, the Browns are sitting at 2-2 after a heartbreaking loss against the Atlanta Falcons. But, is there reason to believe that hope is not on the way?
Watson, for his off-the-field activities, was suspended for the first 11 games of the season is still set to return. However, is that enough time for the Browns to right the ship? Can Jacoby Brissett keep the team trending in the right direction until then? I say yes and here is why.
First, the AFC North is not as dominant as it once was, or at least, it’s not as dominant as many expected it to be heading into this season. The Baltimore Ravens are still searching for help outside of Lamar Jackson. The Cincinnati Bengals do not resemble the team that made a run to the Super Bowl, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have QB issues of their own. As it stands today, the leader of the division is sitting at 2-2 and that team is, you guessed it, the Cleveland Browns.
With 4 games in, the Browns next few games will be against the Los Angeles Charges, New England Patriots, Ravens, and the Bengals before their Bye Week. There is a possibility they could still be in the hunt by Week 10 but then it gets really interesting. After the Bye, the Browns will do battle against the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the season debut of Watson. Yes, that schedule looks downright scary but the Browns are no pushovers.
Any team that features one of the best rushing attacks in the league with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt will always have a shot. While Brissett is not an All-Pro, this season he has been serviceable enough with 830 Passing Yards to go with 4 TDs and 2 INTs. But that’s just the beginning. Once Brissett builds chemistry with receiver Amari Cooper and the other receivers, that will open better lanes for the ground game to eat time off the clock.
But the bread and butter of the Brown has always been on the defensive side of the ball. This season has been no different. The Browns, even with players missing time are still 9th in the league in yards allowed. For them, the motto is just “hold on.” If the team can manage solid performances against the North and the rest of the AFC prior to his debut, there is a strong chance the Browns could be there at the end with their hat in the ring for a playoff spot.
Watson To The Rescue For The Cleveland Browns
Brissett will have to air it out more and the defense will need to step it up a notch. With Jackson, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, and Joe Burrow on the schedule, things could get dicey for the defense. Is Watson the savior for the Browns? Well, that remains to be seen but he is an upgrade over what they currently have.
Having that ground game is good. However, a need for a balanced attack is what will have the Cleveland Browns fighting for the AFC North title. This is what Watson can do. While their remaining schedule is a beast, they do have the means to make every game competitive just enough to pull out a late victory. The good news for the Browns is just not the debut of Watson but that every team in their division has their own dark cloud of issues over them as well.
Putting your hopes on one player is never a good thing and that’s not what the Cleveland Browns are doing. What they’re waiting for is that one player to make everything gel. Watson is that talented. While the play of their QB is not the sole reason that the Browns are sitting at 2-2, having a player who can extend drives and keep defenses honest is exactly what they’re missing. Deshaun Watson is not Tom Brady but for the Cleveland Browns, he’s worth the wait.
