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Season 62 Power Ranking Preview - #17

by adelfish | 4 years ago | 0 Comments

Season 62 Power Ranking Preview - #17

Welcome to the 2020 Red Zone Power Ranking Preview. In this long-running preview, I will be going team at a time, ranking them 32-1, discussing the user, the team, the schedule, etc.

COVERED TEAMS: Lions, Jaguars, Bengals, Patriots, Bears, Vikings, Dolphins, Seahawks, Rams, Giants, Cowboys, Saints, Steelers, Panthers, Raiders

Well, here we are at 17. We are approaching the playoff teams, with only 3 'non playoff' teams remaining with 17-15. These guys in the next 3 spots are just missing out on the tournament, so it is perfect that this owner starts out the final three of the just missing out group.

 

 

#17 - Cleveland Browns (Prewitt)

 

(8-8 Projected Record)

 

 

 

 

Something about 8-8 and Prewitt just sounds right together, doesn't it? Like lamb and tuna fish, or spaghetti and meatballs. You know, if you're more comfortable with that analogy.

The Browns are a circus, a constant example of dysfunction in the professional sports world, but have actually had some pretty consistent ownership within Red Zone. Owners such as Mouthy Rat, Adel, and Ian Johns have lead Cleveland to success in the regular season, and spotty postseason success. 

The benefit Prewitt will have is that he calls the shots, not the Haslem family, or the fifth coach in Baker Mayfield's short career. Now, with a terrible stint in Indianapolis behind him, is Prewitt ready to return to relevancy?

One Big Question

With a loaded team on paper, and a division lacking star power at the head coach position, can Coach Prewitt shake the narrative of being a middle-of-the-road coach, and take the next step?

You'd think that based on my record prediction of 8-8, the easy answer is 'No'. Well, I don't think Prewitt will win a championship this cycle, but that doesn't mean he is destined to be average every single year. 

The thing he really has going for him is his division, at least initially. The Ravens are obviously a force, and a major favorite to win it with Blueprint for the forseeable future, but I don't trust Andrew in Cincinnati at all, and King John with Pittsburgh is a total wild card. Cleveland clearly has the second best roster in the division I think, but is the coaching fit right?

If Prew can compete outside the division, and steal a game from the Ravens every year, he may contend for multiple AFC North titles, but if he can't knock off Blueprint, he will be destined for second place in the North every year.

One Big Schedule Issue

Playing the Ravens twice is tough enough, but then the AFC South and NFC East on top of that? Come on.

On top of those 8 games, they are playing the Raiders and Jets, two teams who are not as talented on paper, but the coaching is superior.

Like I said before, winning games against Baltimore is huge, if they can do that, they have a real shot to compete for the division. With what Prewitt has shown this past year, it is hard to trust him in big games, or at least equal competition.

I have him going 3-5 against teams with winning records, which sets him up for the Jeff Fisher finish at 8-8.

Reasons for Optimism

Honestly, there are a lot of reasons. Cleveland has built a great infrastructure on both sides of the ball. Starting at the quarterback position, I still really like Baker Mayfield, despite his ups and downs. Building an offense around him is key, and he has two more years on his rookie contract. I even like the deal they gave backup Case Keenum, who is a great fill-in guy in case of injury.

Cleveland possesses one of the best backfields in football, with the combination of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, two guys who are top ten at their respective position when healthy. Expect this offense to run through Chubb, and Hunt to be relied on in passing situations as a change of pace.

The weapons around Mayfield don't stop there, with wideouts Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham outside, and the underrated Rashard Higgins inside. They even signed tight end Austin Hooper in free agency, a great vertical threat from Atlanta. There are plenty of trade rumors swirling David Njoku, so we don't expect him to be on the roster come kickoff time.

The offensive line is much improved, with the additions of Jack Conklin in free agency, and Jedrick Wills in the draft, along with the already stout group of Joel Bitonio and J.C. Tretter. This group struggled last year, but the tackle situation was a major part of that.

It's hard to not get excited about the defensive line, especially Myles Garrett. He is a stud, one of the strongest players in the league. The Browns brought in Sheldon Richardson at defensive tackle last year, and Olivier Vernon at defensive end, a group that will be much improved.

Denzel Ward at cornerback has a ton of potential, and will be a big piece for Prewitt to develop, as he is one of the more athletic cornerbacks in football. Along with Greedy Williams, this is a cornerback group with a bright future.

Reasons for Negativity

The defense has a lot of work, especially with the complete makeover at the linebacker spot. Gone are Christian Kirksey and Joe Schoebert, and in are B.J. Goodson and Mack Wilson (WHO?). The linebacker depth isn't great, so Cleveland will need to have a true training camp battle for snaps.

Outside of Ward and Williams, the secondar is shaky. Veterans like Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo were brought in to bring stabiity at the safety spot, but these guys are stop-gaps at best.

A lot of big name players are coming due for extensions in the next two seasons, and Cleveland for the first time in a long time, isn't freeing up a bunch of cap room. It seems preordained that Kareem Hunt will leave in free agency, and guys like Vernon, Andrew Billings, and Larry Ogunjobi are due extensions.

Last Word

The Browns are what they are - they look great on paper, but how will it actually translate? Can Prewitt get the most out of this roster? It remains to be seen.

There are some coaches whose stock plummeted last cycle, and Prewitt is one of them. Gone are the New Orleans Saints days, and we are still in the dreaded Colts era. Can he shake the narrative? In a division primed for someone besides Baltimore to breakthrough, it seems to be Browns or bust.