Meadowdale H.S. graduation 2012
Middletown H.S. graduation 2012
Dunbar H.S. graduation 2012
Home > Blogs > Dawging the Browns > Archives > 2009 > April > 15
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
A closer look at the schedule
As we get ready to say goodbye to Braylon Edwards and wonder where all the playmakers went, the good news is that the schedule doesn’t look all that imposing. Hey, a non-Bill Parcells 4-12 team needs all the help it can get, right?
So, as much as I detest it when forecasters attempt to predict what’s going to happen this early based on the schedule, I’ll do it anyway. But keep in mind I did the same thing last year about this time and had the Browns in the playoffs.
1. Vikings at home. Adrian Peterson runs wild as the Browns, after 10 years, are still trying to get their run defense corrected. It will be pointed out that the Browns could have drafted Peterson, who is starting to look like a back for the ages. Loss (0-1)
2. At Denver. Two Belichick tree branches guiding their respective teams. Imagine the hype. Andra Davis, former Browns linebacker, won’t let the Broncos lose, even if they do have Kyle Orton at quarterback. Loss (0-2)
3. At Baltimore. Maybe there’s some magic left in Phil Dawson’s foot, but the Ravens are still the Ravens and their offense is only going to get better. Loss (0-3)
4. Bengals at home. Cincinnati should be much improved. Carson Palmer probably the difference here. Loss (0-4)
5. At Buffalo. T.O. probably has eroded the chemistry just enough at this point that an upset is possible. Brady Quinn hits David Patten for winning TD. Win (1-4)
6. At Pittsburgh. Rivalry? What rivalry? Loss (1-5)
7. Green Bay at home. Seems winnable in April, so why not? Win (2-5)
8. At Chicago. With Jay Cutler at quarterback, the Bears could be a Super Bowl contender. He torched the Browns last season with the Broncos, let’s not forget. Loss (2-6)
9. Baltimore at home. It’s the Monday nighter, so the Browns rise to the occasion here. Win (3-6)
10. At Detroit. Teams probably have similar records at this point, hard as that will be to digest. Browns can win this one. Win (4-6)
11. At Cincinnati. Bengals. Alas, another year of losing twice to your Ohio rivals. Loss (4-7)
12. San Diego at home. Chargers probably need this. Maybe a timely early-December blizzard? Win (5-7)
13. Pittsburgh at home. Thursday night. Short week. Don’t think so. Loss (5-8)
14. At Kansas City. The Chiefs figure to have won about two or three games at this point, so, well, maybe. Win (6-8)
15. Oakland at home. Theoretically, the Browns will be psyched about winning their last two and finishing .500. Win (7-8)
16. Jacksonville at home. That .500 season proves elusive as Maurice Jones-Drew runs wild in the snow. Browns still looking to correct that run defense. Loss (7-9).
There you have it. Head coach Eric Mangini goes 7-9 in his first season at the helm. And since the team only won four games in 2008, he is praised for having the team headed in the right direction. Can’t you just see it playing out this way?
