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Cleveland Browns 2019 season predictions

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The Human Q-Tip said:
I'm not sure I see why our average season should be discounted because of who we beat - especially when you look at games like home against Pittsburgh, and New Orleans that we so easily could have won. The Oakland loss was just horrible coaching. We were beaten badly by KC while missing huge chunk of our back 7 on defense, but beat a good Denver team in Denver, and split two really tight games against the Ravens.

To me, that seems typical of an average team - generally beat the bad teams and lose to the good, but beat some good ones and lose to some bad ones. Maybe even a bit better given how close we were against some really good teams.



We lost only one guy from a highly ranked OL, and brought in some new guys to compete for the job. I don't see how that constitutes "ignoring" the OL.




True. I mean, if we have some really bad luck, 9-7 is certainly possible. But if we have just "ordinary" luck, and still only manage 9-7, I think that would be pretty crushing. I would be at a loss to see what else we could realistically do to get better.
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I agree with you about the who we beat part. I don't like the argument. Eye test had us as one of the better teams in the AFC towards the end of last year. I'm just pointing out what arguments others could make and why hedging towards a mediocre record isn't head-in-the-sand ignorance.

I'll disagree with you on the offensive line. Our offensive line was not good last year. However, once Freddie took over and Baker came into his own, we did a lot of things to reduce our reliance on our tackles holding blocks for extended periods of time. We moved the pocket, spread the defense out, and Baker got the ball out quickly. Greg Robinson still sucked, but if the defensive end is off balance and then only has two seconds to get to the QB? The result is that Baker doesn't get sacked and Greg Robinson looks fine.

If we can continue to scheme out a need for high end tackle play in the passing game, that gives us a financial advantage in the league. I'm still worried about the impact of our right guard spot. You can scheme away edge pressure, but no play call in the world can fix pressure coming up the middle right into Baker's face.

My personal take on our record this year is that the loss of Zeitler makes our running game less efficient than it was last year. However, one of the RG's steps up and is adequate. My money's on Kush, but don't be surprised if Forbes comes into his own after one injury on the line. Tretter looks worse without Zeitler next to him and we're looking to replace him next year. The passing game improves dramatically by adding OBJ (as well as natural improvement from Njoku, Higgins, Calloway and Baker). The defense takes a huge step forward, partly due to talent, mainly due to replacing Gregg. If we stay healthy, 12-4 and we're a media darling heading into the playoffs where, honestly, the sky is the limit. If Derwin James doesn't come back 100% this year, it's Cleveland/KC/NE ahead of the field and we might get our first of many Baker/Mahomes AFC Championship Games.
 
Most Bets To Win Super Bowl
1. Bears
2. Browns
3. Chiefs
4. Saints
5. Cowboys
6. Packers
7. Vikings
8. Patriots
9. Rams
10. Steelers
Caesars Sportsbook
 
SanduskyCav said:
Most Bets To Win Super Bowl
1. Bears
2. Browns
3. Chiefs
4. Saints
5. Cowboys
6. Packers
7. Vikings
8. Patriots
9. Rams
10. Steelers
Caesars Sportsbook
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I was in Vegas for the 4th and the one line I saw was browns for 9.5 wins.

I couldn't even bring myself to bet the over. No way I would put money on the browns making the Superb Owl
 
bob2the2nd said:
I was in Vegas for the 4th and the one line I saw was browns for 9.5 wins.

I couldn't even bring myself to bet the over. No way I would put money on the browns making the Superb Owl
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I am kind of a casual fan of sports at this point but I can’t believe anyone would bet on the packers to win the SB. Maybe the odds make it worth doing.

I guess this is really a list of homers who will slap money down on their homerism.
 
10-6. We drop one or two that we shouldn't, but our 5-1 division record locks up the division for us in a tiebreaker.
 
bob2the2nd said:
I was in Vegas for the 4th and the one line I saw was browns for 9.5 wins.

I couldn't even bring myself to bet the over. No way I would put money on the browns making the Superb Owl
Click to expand...

That is so awesome that I am not even 100% sure its a typo, lol.
 
SanduskyCav said:
Most Bets To Win Super Bowl
1. Bears
2. Browns
3. Chiefs
4. Saints
5. Cowboys
6. Packers
7. Vikings
8. Patriots
9. Rams
10. Steelers
Caesars Sportsbook
Click to expand...
Woof going to be a lot of disappointed bettors when they lose betting for the Browns.
 
Out of the Rafters at the Q said:
I'll disagree with you on the offensive line. Our offensive line was not good last year. However, once Freddie took over and Baker came into his own, we did a lot of things to reduce our reliance on our tackles holding blocks for extended periods of time. We moved the pocket, spread the defense out, and Baker got the ball out quickly. Greg Robinson still sucked, but if the defensive end is off balance and then only has two seconds to get to the QB? The result is that Baker doesn't get sacked and Greg Robinson looks fine.
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The question you have to ask yourself is... which is it? Was the O-line terrible but got rescued by Freddie's quick hitting playcalling that utilized max protection on long developing routes, or was it actually a strong O-line but was hampered by Haley's nonsensical playcalling that had long developing routes on a 5 wide with no extra protection or quick hitters? Was the cup half full or half empty?

I think it's a mixture of both. I don't think the line was bad - and I don't think it was good either. I'd say it was average/slightly above average but was hindered by Haley's ridiculous playcalling which made it look worse than it was. Remember the 2nd game vs. Pissburgh where we'd be 5-wide and every receiver would be going deep, and they would just blitz one dude off the edge and pressure/sack Baker every time? Baker got pressured so much that game it wasn't even funny (only 2 sacks) but the fact that he gave up 15 sacks in the previous 3 weeks shows that there was a problem there.

I did a little digging into TTT for Baker... believe it or not, his TTT with Hue/Haley was a 2.79 seconds. His TTT with Freddie was 2.78 seconds. Virtually identical. That's actually above average time to throw for the league, and pretty good considering Baker doesn't scramble much (unless he has too). His pocket maneuverability is good too.

So why is it that he got sacked 20 times in 5.5 games and only 5 times in 8 games under Freddie if the TTT was the same? Scheme and playcalling.

My point is: The gap between Haley's and Freddie's playcalling was soooo big it's easy to assume that the O-line is bad and imagine Freddie rescued us with genius-like playcalling. I think Freddie is good at it, but he also offsets HORRENDOUS playcalling by Haley. So it makes him look incredible. Based on the fact that the O-line actually didn't perform bad under Haley (given the TTT), I think it's fair to assume the O-line might not be as bad as you're suggesting.
 
Pick6 said:
Road to the Super Bowl just got a little easier. Luck retiring..crazy.
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Luck retired??? When did this happen?

Edit: @Pick6 How the hell did you get this? You posted and I immediately looked it up and couldn't find shit about it. I waited 5 minutes and it's everywhere.
 
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Pick6 said:
Road to the Super Bowl just got a little easier. Luck retiring..crazy.
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Sad conclusion to a generational talent. Grigson never went after offensive line help and let him get pulverized. Those years when he would lead Indy into AFC Championships against Brady and the Pats were must watch football.
 
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