Predicting the Cleveland Browns record without Deshaun Watson
By Chad Porto
At vs. Carolina (Sept. 11)
Baker Bros are going to be out in full force on this one. The Cleveland Browns will be going to Carolina where a potentially potent offense awaits them. With Jacoby Brissett being a more typical game-manager than a playmaker, the Browns are going to need the running game to help them get out to a lead, and the defense to hold their own.
The defense is improved from 2020 but it has holes, namely at safety and at defensive tackle. That means the Browns’ defense is ripe for RPO-style plays, Baker Mayfield’s specialty. John Johnson and whoever else the team has next to him is prone to getting beat. Every safety got lit up to some degree last year, save for M.J. Stewart, the new Houston Texan.
The Browns may have a good crop of running backs and a formerly great offensive line, but with issues at the receiving corp, issues at center, and now issues at quarterback, this offense will be anything but potent.
The Browns more than likely won’t be able to hang with the Panthers’ new offense built around Mayfield, a healthy Christian McCaffery, D.J. Moore, Robbie Anderson, former Browns receiver Rashard Higgins and reserved back Chuba Hubbard.
Panthers Win: (31-17)
Record: 0-1