Schedule Preview – Browns

August 24, 2022

By Noonefromtampa

The Cleveland Browns are the Washington Commanders’ week 17 opponent. The last meeting between these two teams was in the 2020 season, which resulting in a Cleveland victory by a score of 34-20, which broke the Browns’ three-game losing streak. Dwayne Haskins threw two touchdowns to Dontrelle Inman (the last two of Inman’s career) but also threw three interceptions and was sacked three times.

The Browns biggest question going into the season will be whether the starting quarterback is Deshaun Watson.  Even with a major suspension looming for Watson, the Browns traded Baker Mayfield for what could potentially be a couple of low round picks from the Carolina Panthers.  Watson is currently scheduled to be back for week 17.

Game Details

Opponent: Cleveland Browns

When: Sunday, January 1, 1:00 P.M.

Where: home game, Fed Ex Field

TV Network: Fox

2021 Browns

Record: 8-9

Offense: 18^th [passing 27^th, rushing 4^th]

Defense: 5^th [passing 5^th, rushing 12^th]

Points Scored: 20^th

Points Allowed: 14^th

Head-to-Head: 34-12-1 in regular season from 1950 to 2020

Browns Coaching

This season will be the third season with Kevin Stefanski as the Browns’ head coach since he came to Cleveland from Minnesota, which he served as offensive coordinator. He is 19-14 in his first two years and 1-1 in playoff games.

Alex Van Pelt is a former player best known for being Jim Kelly’s backup in Buffalo. He was a quarterback coach for Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Green Bay, and Cincinnati before moving to the Browns in 2018 in a similar role. He was promoted to offensive coordinator when Stefanski become head coach.

Joe Woods, a longtime NFL defensive backs coach, was also defensive coordinator for Denver in 2017 and 2018. He was hired by Stefanski in 2020. The defenses led by Woods have been good in the past, finishing in the top 5 several times.

Browns Schemes

Van Pelt comes from Mike McCarthy’s West Coast offensive school. The Browns rely heavily on the running game behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.  They upgraded their receiving corps by trading for Amari Cooper and drafting David Bell. As mentioned above, the big question mark is who will be running the show at quarterback.

The Browns run a 4-3 defense led by Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, and Anthony Walker. They were a top 5 defense in 2021.

Roster Changes

Key Losses: QB Baker Mayfield (trade-CAR), TE Austin Hooper (TEN), FB Andy Janovich (HOU), WR Jarvis Landry (NO), CB M. J. Stewart (HOU), WR Rashard Higgins (CAR), DE Ifeadi Odenigbo (IND)

Key Additions: QB Deshaun Watson (trade-HOU), WR Amari Cooper (trade-DAL), WR Jakeem Grant (CHI), QB Jacoby Brissett (MIA), DT Taven Bryant (JAC), P Corey Bojorquez (GB), DE Stephen Weatherly (DEN), DE Isaac Rochell (IND), G Ethan Pocic (SEA)

Draft Picks: CB Martin Emerson (3-68), DE Alex Wright (3-78), WR David Bell (3-99), DT Perrion Winfrey (4-108), K Cade York (4-124), RB Jerome Ford (5-156), WR Michael Woods (6-202), DE Isaiah Thomas (7-223), OL Dawson Deaton (7-246)

Key Players Returning: WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, G Joel Bitonio, G Wyatt Teller, C J.C. Tretter, TE David Njoku, RB Nick Chubb, RB Kareem Hunt, T Jedrick Wills Jr., DE Myles Garrett, DE Jadeveon Clowney, LB Anthony Walker, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, CB Denzel Ward, DT Malik Jackson, S John Johnson III, S Grant Delpit, S Ronnie Harrison, DT Sheldon Day, CB Greg Newsome II

Conclusions

The fate of the Browns most likely rests with how much playing time Deshaun Watson gets this season. Watson’s abilities can elevate the Browns to a higher level than Baker Mayfield did. The defense did not lose much talent from last season so it should remain good. The question of success for the Browns rests on how well the offense performs behind a strong running game and who quarterbacks the team the most games during the season.

Noone’s Prediction

Coming off the away loss to the 49ers, the Commanders bounce back at home winning the home game against the Browns in a convincing fashion 28-14.