Predicting the Cleveland Browns record without Deshaun Watson
By Chad Porto
Away vs. Dolphins (Nov. 13)
Finally, thank dog. A worse-ran team than the Browns. Or, maybe it’s more of a lateral idea here. Either way, the Dolphins are a team that has a worse quarterback than Jacoby Brissett, so yeah, Victory.
The Dolphins fired their pretty good head coach Brian Flores and replaced him with Mike McDaniel, the former San Francisco offensive coordinator of just one full season. That won’t blow up in anyone’s face, not at all.
The Dolphins defensively will be solid, barring injuries but offensively is where the focus is on. The team acquired Tyreek Hill, but they didn’t acquire Patrick Mahomes. They still have Tua Tagovailoa. So getting Hill is like getting really nice rims for your 1998, rusted, Chevy Equinox.
The Browns should have a very good shot, as they’ll be able to set the tone against the Dolphins and even make comebacks if necessary just by running the ball. In all of the Browns’ losses, save for the Steelers, the overriding fact is that the other team has a much better passing offense, and the Browns’ safties are anything but trustworthy. (The Steelers defense is just too stout to disrespect).
With the Dolphins, offensively speaking, they’re garbage. Not because they don’t have talent; Hill, Mike Gesicki, and Jayle Waddle are all good, they just don’t have anyone to throw them the ball. Even their backup, Teddy Bridgewater, is just a shorter Jacoby Brissett.
If the Browns lose this one, there will be riots in basements across the greater Cuyahoga County.
Browns Win: (31-3)
Record: 3-6