Cue the sound of crazed cheering fans. The 2014 NFL season is coming, and players are tuned up for another season of sweet, sweet grid iron drama. Read on for everything you need to know about and bet on the Cleveland Browns and for more AFC North previews check out our Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers articles.
To say that the Cleveland Browns went out with a big thud last season is an understatement. After compiling another hideous record, the Browns busied themselves in the offseason with changes in the coaching staff and in their roster, and come into the 2014 season more hopeful than ever that they can drag themselves out of the basement of the AFC North.
They already made a good haul in the 2014 NFL Draft, where they came away as among the winners, so not all is lost.
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Cleveland Browns 2014 Team Preview for the 2014/2015 NFL Season
Offseason Updates (8/22/2014)
The Cleveland Browns finally have a starting quarterback. Head coach Mike Pettine has finally decided upon his QB for Week 1, and it was veteran Brian Hoyer who edged out rookie Johnny Manziel for the job. Pettine’s decision came just days after Manziel made an obscene gesture toward the Washington Redskins’ bench during their Week 2 preseason game.
In the secondary, Buster Skrine’s injury (thumb) has opened the door for Justin Gilbert to claim the starting spot in the cornerback position opposite Joe Haden. The Browns’ first round draft choice has been described by ESPN’s Pat McManamon as the “most impressive rookie on the team in camp.”
Overview
2013 Regular Season Record: 4-12 SU/6-10 ATS
It was hardly any surprise to see the Cleveland Browns begin last season losing their first two assignments. The surprise came after the Browns decided to start quarterback Brian Hoyer in place of the ineffectual Brandon Weeden. The Browns astoundingly managed to reel off three consecutive wins, and were suddenly on top of the AFC North with a 3-2 SU record. There was hope in Cleveland.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Then the football Gods decided that the Dawg Pound had had enough fun for one season. Hoyer (615 passing yards, 59.4% completion, five TDs in three games) tore his ACL and the Browns reverted to their familiar ways, losing 10 of their next 11 games to finish the season with division-worst records of 4-12 SU and 6-10 ATS.
The coming season should be a better one for the Browns, even if wide receiver Josh Gordon is indeed suspended for the whole season. For one, Cleveland hired a new head coach in Mike Pettine – the team’s eighth coach since 1999 – and brought in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.
Both men figure to fix and improve both the passing, and most especially, the rushing offense of the Browns; the Browns ranked 27th in rushing (86.4 rushing yards per game) last season in the NFL.
With Hoyer healthy again, Johnny Manziel in the fold, and a few more offseason acquisitions bolstering the roster, the Browns have a justified optimism for their future. They are currently priced +575 to win the AFC North. Although that is the longest odd among the teams in their division, it is significantly lower than the +800 they had at this point last season.
Offseason Highlights
Trading Trent Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts early last season was highly criticized, as the running back, along with WR Gordon and QB Hoyer, was among the few bright spots for the Browns.
But in hindsight, that trade could be one of the best decisions the Browns have ever made. By trading Richardson, Cleveland got the Colts’ first round pick, which Cleveland used to pluck Heisman Trophy winner Manziel from the 2014 NFL Draft. In two years of action with Texas A&M Aggies, Manziel compiled 7,820 passing yards and 2,169 rushing yards.
Even though its uncertain that Manziel will start, his being on the team means that the Browns, regardless of what the scouts are saying of the Texas A&M alum, have a proven winner and a potential franchise QB.
The Browns also addressed their lamentable rushing game by signing Ben Tate (771 rushing yards, four TDs last season), one of the most coveted running backs in the free agent market. With a scarce amount of talent in the backfield last season, the Browns only had 21.8 rushing attempts per game — far below than the league average of 27.09.
But with Tate’s game begging for a breakout season after spending three years in the shadow of Arian Foster in Houston, activity in the backfield is bound to go up. His transition to the Browns should be an easy one given that Shanahan was also the Texans’ offensive coordinator back in the 2008-2009 season.
Their secondary should improve as well. Cornerback Joe Haden (54 combined tackles, four interceptions) has been terrific, and he will be paired with rookie defensive back Justin Gilbert, who was selected No. 8 overall in the recent draft.
Key Betting Matchups of 2014 NFL Season
The Cleveland Browns own one of the weakest Strength of Schedule (.465, 26th) next season, but they won’t feel it early. In their first five games, they’ll be tested by teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, and Baltimore Ravens. It’s going to be rough for the Browns in the first few weeks, but if they pass those tests, they’ll have the momentum and the confidence to tackle all teams moving forward.
September 7 – at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Browns travel to Heinz Field for an encounter with the Pittsburgh Steelers for Pettine’s opening act as the man on the helm for Cleveland. This could also be the debut of Johnny Manziel, which will be a rare moment for optimism for the Browns.
Cleveland have been notoriously bad in season openers. They are 1-14 in Week 1 games since 1999 and have lost all of their last 10 trips to Pittsburgh.
September 21 – vs. Baltimore Ravens
Cleveland beat the Ravens at home in Week 9 of last season, 24-18, the Browns’ final hurrah last season. The victory served as a momentary source of relief for the team, as they followed it up with seven-straight losses to end their season. Coach Pettine started his career in the Ravens’ camp, working as an assistant, so he’ll know Harbaugh’s schemes well.
Writer’s Prediction
The Browns break their streak of sub-.400 seasons, finishing with a 7-9 SU record, their best since a 10-6 SU slate back in 2007. They won’t make the Playoffs, but that is good enough to go over their regular season wins line of 6.5.
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