WFNY On Location: Making Mascots
February 22, 2011Carmelo Anthony Trade Shows Cavaliers What Could Have Been
February 22, 2011If there is an NFL season next year, we already know who the Browns will play, even if we don’t know the order. In 2010 the Browns got the whole AFC East, the whole NFC South, the worst team from the AFC South, the worst from the AFC West and their annual divisional opponents. The non-divisional teams accounted for 76 wins in 2009, the year prior to playing the Browns. Bucs (3,) Chiefs (4,) Falcons (9,) Saints (13,) Pats (10,) Jets (9,) Jags (7,) Panthers (8,) Dolphins (7,) and Bills (6).
In 2011 the Browns get the entire AFC South, the entire NFC West, the second worst AFC East team, and the second worst AFC West team. The Browns finished above the Bengals in their division, so that means the Browns get the Dolphins and Raiders while the Bengals get the Bills and Broncos. That in and of itself is a 7 win swing. (Dolphins + Raiders = 15, while Bills + Broncos = 8.)
If you add up all the 2010 wins for the Browns’ 2011 non-divisional opponents the total is 70. Colts (10,) Jags (8,) Texans (6,) Titans (6,) Seahawks (7,) Rams (7,) 49ers (6,) Cardinals (5,) Raiders (8,) Dolphins (7.) So even in a very unscientific and simplistic measure the Browns’ schedule is 6 wins easier than what it was a year ago. If the Browns had found a way to be worse than the Bengals this season, the number would be seven lower to 63.
It isn’t overly scientific, but by at least one measure you could argue the Browns will have an easier season in 2011 should a CBA get completed. Then again, we don’t truly know who the Browns will be next year with new coaches and another giant roster turnover. So, I’ll spare you the pre-season wins and losses analysis just yet. It isn’t like you would have believed me if I told you the Browns were going to lose to the Bucs and Chiefs but beat the Pats and Saints anyway.
7 Comments
I always look forward to years we play the Titans. My wife is from Nashville and her parents still live there, so I know that it’s a game I will be going to whether it’s home or away! Woo Hoo!
Blast…
If the NFL scheduling system truly encouraged parity, the Browns would have significantly decreased the strength of their 2011 schedule by being switched to the NFC West.
Oh well…
On first look, if the Browns are “better” than they were last year, which we of course hope is the case, then they have an opportunity this fall to have a winning season. I WILL NOT spare you pre-season win loss talk, so here goes…
If improved from last year, we should/can beat the following teams;
Jags
Texans
Titans
Seahawks
Rams
49ers
Cardinals
Raiders
Dolphins
At least split with the Bengals
At least split with another year older Ravens team
And the kicker, at least a split with the Super-Bowl-hungover Steelers…
Now I am implying a 13-3 season, I am aware, but lets then say we have a few tough losses…that is a potentially 10-6 team.
Tear me to pieces everyone, but I think I am being quite rational.
Re: Doug@3
I’ll have what he’s having.
Opponents for the Browns in the 2011 season:
Couch (not Tim but the one they might wear out by sitting on watching college football on Sundays)
DUI-stops (more time on their hands, means more time to do something stupid. hopefully not, but it’s an opponent)
Laziness (tough to go through what amounts to 3 straight offseasons to prepare to play the 2012 season).
Sadly, yes, I think next year will be lost to the “labor war”
Just saw the Browns franchise tagged Phil Dawson…..of course who knows if it will hold up, but that should give them somewhere to start negotiations for a long term contract.
Kind of depressing when your franchised player is your kicker, no? That exemplifies the lack of talent on the roster.