It’s a good bet to say the Cleveland Browns will be an improved team in 2017. Heck, after winning one game last season, they can’t be much worse. But calling this team worthy of a Super Bowl is ludicrous. The Browns nailed the draft with No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett a stud on the defensive line and Jabril Peppers adding talent to the secondary and excitement to the return game. But until this team settles on a quarterback and he can stay healthy, just getting a few more victories will make this a winning year.
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New England Patriots +310
Dallas Cowboys +1000
Seattle Seahawks +1100
Green Bay Packers +1200
Pittsburgh Steelers +1300
Atlanta Falcons +1500
Oakland Raiders +1500
Kansas City Chiefs +2000
Denver Broncos +2500
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Washington Redskins +6500
Jacksonville Jaguars +8000
Buffalo Bills +9000
Chicago Bears +12500
Los Angeles Rams +15000
San Francisco 49ers +30000
Cleveland Browns +30000
New York Jets +30000
Key Factors For Winning the Super Bowl
Find a Quarterback – The carousel of quarterbacks in Cleveland is comical and the Browns will never be a contender if the hilarity ensues. With that being said, Hue Jackson is leaning toward rookie DeShone Kizer to be the starter once the season opens. Kizer is a gifted athlete, but he is a rookie, and it’s difficult for first-year players to be successful at any position, let alone quarterback. Sure, you have that Prescott fella in Dallas who obliterated that myth. But his situation was a bit different than Kizer’s. The Browns have lacked stability at head coach, but the QB position has been a wasteland. The team has employed 26 different starters since rejoining the NFL in 1999 and Kizer would be the 27th. The Browns made some upgrades to the offensive line and have some promising playmakers, but the production from the quarterback needs to be better. Of the previous 26 starters, only Brian Hoyer had a winning record.
And Find a Defense – Only one team gave up more yards and two teams allowed more points than the Browns last year. Jackson fired coordinator Ray Horton and brought in Gregg Williams, who’s had success running defenses. Williams also was suspended for being a part of the Saints’ bountygate scandal a few years back and that’s just the attitude the group needs to be more successful stopping opponents. Having first round picks Garrett and Peppers starting on that side of the ball will also help. Trading for Jamie Collins last year and resigning him also keeps another core piece of the defense. The numbers in the passing game were decent, but that’s because opponents ran all over the Brownies. Stopping the run and preventing points are keys to making the D work.
Grow Up Fast – The Browns nailed the 2017 draft with their top four picks in line to start on opening day. Garret and Peppers are no-brainers, tight end David Njoku was their third first-round pick and Kizer was taken in the second round. That’s a tremendous haul for team that needs an influx of talent. But the 2016 draft produced an equally impressive bounty. Top pick Corey Coleman is ready to take over a receiver spot with Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib anchoring the defensive line. Joe Schobert, taken in the fourth round in 2016, is likely the team’s starting middle linebacker. That’s eight potential starters selected in the last two drafts and now it’s time for the kids to learn on the job. The Browns don’t have the luxury of waiting for their top picks to develop. They need them to play right now. It’s a lot to ask for that many young players to carry the team, but if they rise to the challenge, this could be an interesting group.
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