It's one of the most embarssing streaks in football. It's something you probably don't even want me to type out. But it's something we need to acknowledge.
The Cleveland Browns have never won the AFC North. The last time they won a divisional title was in 1989 when it was the AFC Central.
But recent years have seen the Browns put forth some of their best teams of the last couple decades, and 2023 could be the best one yet. This could very well be the year the Browns finally take home the AFC North crown, even though betting markets aren't necessarily sold on the idea.
Odds of +390 are really not all that long, though, especially when all four teams in the division are given plus-odds (implying less than a 50% chance of winning).
In fact, these odds probably make the Browns the best betting pick to win the division. Despite ranking third, they have a real shot at finally pulling it off, and these are the top three reasons why.
Reasons the Browns Will Win the AFC North
A Full Season of Deshaun Watson
We only got six games out of Deshaun Watson last year, and it took some time for him to get back up to speed after being almost two years removed from his last NFL action. Admittedly, those weren't an especially pretty six games either.
But anyone who was expecting Watson to step in after such a long layoff, take the helm of an offense he had never seen live game action with and immediately return to peak form was delusional. There were always going to be some growing pains, and we can now safely leave those behind in 2022.
Watson steps in with most of the same weapons he began to build chemistry with last year, plus with the addition of Elijah Moore as a legitimate slot weapon. Not to mention that the Browns aren't done trying to add talent to the offense.
Pass Rush Improvements
Myles Garrett is an absolute monster. That much is obvious. But even Super Heroes work in teams these days.
Garrett was the most double-teamed edge rusher in the NFL last season, and he still ranked No. 3 in the NFL in pass-rush win rate. The Browns' lack of pass rush presence elsewhere let offenses completely key in on Garrett, and he still wreaked havoc to the tune of his second straight 16-sack season.
But now he'll have the chance to make the leap and could legitimately become a 20-sack guy.
The additions of Dalvin Tomlinson on the inside plus Ogbo Okoronkwo (5.0 sacks, 11 QB hits in 2022) and especially Za'Darius Smith (10.0, 24 QB hits) mean teams will have to balance out their pass protections a little more.
We've all seen how quickly an opposing offense falls apart when trying to use a single blocker on Garrett, and that's about to happen a whole lot more often in 2023.
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Secondary Improvements
A real issue this defense had last year is what happened when Garrett wasn't in the face of the opposing quarterback. Yes, we should be getting way more pressure in 2023, but you can't count on getting to the QB on every single drop back.
That's why the Browns rounded out the rest of their defense too.
Adding Juan Thornhill, Rodney McLeod, Anthony Walker and Mike Ford helped earn the Browns' offseason an "A" grade from ProFootballFocus.
Thornhill and McLeod are both solid NFL starters in the secondary, and even though only one will start alongside Grant Delpit, having the flexibility and depth is incredibly valuable.
This defense will fire on all cylinders, and if Watson and the offense can keep up then the sky is the limit for Cleveland in 2023.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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