Perhaps, but let’s take a closer look at the past six years
prior to last season’s disaster-filled journey to 3-14.
From 2018-19 to 2023-24, the Browns compiled a 50-48-1
record including two 11-win seasons.
During that same span, the Denver Broncos were 38-61. The
New York Jets were a paltry 31-68, and their crosstown rival Giants were
34-64-1. Teams like the Colts (50-48-1) and Patriots (52-47) were equal to the
Browns. Interstate rival Cincinnati was 42-54-1. Oakland? 43-56. Miami? 51-48.
Arizona? 35-63. Washington? 36-62-1. Carolina? 31-68.
Yes, there were plenty of teams equal to or less than the
Browns in terms of win-loss record during that span, so don’t give me your “woe
is us” song and dance.
Also, among that time was not one but two NFL Coach of the
Year awards for Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski, just a quick reminder to
all you armchair head coaches who think he’s total garbage.
How many head coaches have achieved that multiple times? I
don’t want to upset the haters, but the company Stefanski is keeping is pretty
impressive. The list includes Don Shula (four times), Chuck Knox and Bill
Belichick (three times) and two-time winners Allie Sherman, George Halas, George
Allen, Joe Gibbs, Mike Ditka, Bill Parcells, Dan Reeves, Bruce Arians and Ron
Rivera.
Thus, you may want to back off your high-horse judgment.
OK, granted last season was a total bust as the Browns went
through a liturgy of issues, injuries, bad decisions and poor play, but it may
not be the end of the world people believe it to be based on prior
outcomes from other teams that also went off the deep end, their fans believing it
was the end of all things.
Here’s a look at some good-to-bad-to-good-again results
that may give you pause for — dare I say it — optimism?
Several NFL teams have experienced dramatic swings in
performance over a short span, going from great to horrible and then rebounding
quickly.
San Francisco 49ers (2019-21)
In 2019 the Niners went 13-3 and made a Super Bowl appearance in
which they lost to the Chiefs, then promptly went 6-10. Like the Browns last year,
that team was plagued by injuries.
In 2021 the Niners returned, going 10-7 and making the NFC championship
game.
Indianapolis Colts (2009-12)
In 2009 the Colts went 14-2 and lost in the Super Bowl to the Saints, followed by a strong 2010 season that saw them go 10-6 and make the
playoffs.
However, in 2011 the wheels fell off as Peyton Manning’s
retirement led to a 2-14 record, worst in the NFL.
After drafting quarterback Andrew Luck, their luck changed
the next year, and they promptly went 11-5 and made the playoffs.
Philadelphia Eagles (2017-21)
In 2017 the Eagles went 13-3 and won
Super Bowl LII. They followed that up with consecutive 9-7 records, winning the
NFC East Division in 2019, but in 2020 they totally bombed, going 4-11-1 in a total
collapse.
With Eagles fans ready to throttle
ownership and coaches alike, Philadelphia went 9-8 in 2021 under new coach Nick
Sirianni and made the playoffs.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2017-19 to
2022)
In a catastrophic 2020 campaign, the Jags went a dismal
1-15, worst in the league.
However, when 2022 was done, the team had won the AFC South
and a playoff game, finishing the regular season 9-8.
Los Angeles Rams (2020-22)
In 2021 the Rams went 12-5 and won the Super Bowl. The next
season, marred by injuries, they went an abysmal 5-12, only to return to form
in 2023 to go 10-7 and make the playoffs.
The pattern in these wild swings presents common themes including injuries to key players, coaching changes or bad
roster management causing steep drops.
So, you see, there is reason to be
optimistic.
“But Dave, these are the Cleveland
Clowns we’re talking about, where nothing ever works out and bad things always happen,”
I hear ya say.
Stop feeling sorry for yourselves.
Based on the records and results shown above, Cleveland is far from the worst team everyone wants to make it out to be over that period.
Let’s consider that the 2024-25
season was an anomaly and ponder the idea a turnaround could happen.
I don’t think a team goes from 11-6 to
3-14 without plenty of misfortune befalling them, much like the five teams mentioned
above.
Do I think this Browns team is gonna
win a Super Bowl?
Highly doubtful.
Do I think they are a 3-14 team again?
I don’t think so.
A return to the seven- to eight-win
team it has been the past half decade prior to last season is well within
reach, and while that isn’t spectacular, it is reason to be optimistic, and
with a little luck, who knows? Maybe a 9-8 record and a sneak into the playoffs
is within reach.
There’re plenty of recent examples to
say it’s possible. Just don’t come unglued when they struggle early with a
difficult five-game season-opening schedule that includes the Bengals, Ravens,
Packers, Lions and Vikings, all considered serious playoff contenders.
