Topic: Cleveland Browns: 2008 Season Predictions

[MyTwoSense]

2007 was full of surprises for us Browns fans.  Last year when I asked this question, I predicted they would go 8-8.  That was being optimistic due to our "weak" schedule. The Brown's went on to play some "decent" ball and finish with a 10-6 record.  Nobody saw that coming.

With the 2007 season behind us, the 2008 edition of the Browns are listed as "contenders".  We've seen/heard/read good reports from training camp and have a mostly healthy rooster.  This year we've got a tough schedule, the national media has the browns under a microscope and expectations are high.

What do you think our season record will be this year?
2007 Poll:  http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,10263.0.html

NOTE: 
This thread is not for general Browns news, information or discussion, only to discuss your 2008 final prediction.

[mrnyc]

i said .500 last year too.

i'll guess 10-6 this year again.

i hope to be pleasantly surprised.

[MyTwoSense]

I going 8-8.  There is no clear cut favorite in the AFC North.  I think the deciding factor will be the two Browns-Steelers games.  Who ever wins those games wins the division. If they split the series...it's a toss up.

[simplythis]

they will take a small step backwards this year.    7-9

[gotribe]

they will take a small step backwards this year.    7-9

I don't know where you get that.  What currently is in favor of that. 

[cd-cleveland]

I'm thinking 9-7.  I remember saying 7-9 last year.

[MyTwoSense]

they will take a small step backwards this year.    7-9

I guess you're not sure of that, since you didn't vote.  lol

[Evergrey]

It's tough to predict... especially since the Browns and Steelers have such brutal schedules this year.  I do think the Browns will finish in the top half of the division... Bengals will probably underperform as usual... and the Ravens should be horrible. 

[MOVOODOO]

New to the Board's..... so here's an optimistic newb post:
11-5
will definitely play for Div Championship
watch out for Cincy though

[MyTwoSense]

New to the Board's..... so here's an optimistic newb post:
11-5
will definitely play for Div Championship
watch out for Cincy though

welcome. 

ok, whoever posted the 0-16 is crazy!

[baseballmn907]

11-5.  I'm buying the hype.  I should know better living in Cleveland.  First home playoff game since '94, but then lose in a heartbreaker to the Chargers in the Conference Semis.

[mrnyc]

It's tough to predict... especially since the Browns and Steelers have such brutal schedules this year.  I do think the Browns will finish in the top half of the division... Bengals will probably underperform as usual... and the Ravens should be horrible. 

top half, eh? lol! go ahead. say it! say it! second place right?

that will depend a lot on if big ben stays on his tricycle so he can keep healthy. 

[Flee2theCleve]

8-8...their schedule is brutal..plus this is their first season of dealing with any sort of expectations, no telling how the team will react

[cd-cleveland]

Here's the schedule again
---

Week   Date   Opp   Info
1   9/7   vs. Dal   
2   9/14   vs. Pit   
3   9/21   @ Bal   
4   9/28   @ Cin   
5   Bye Week
6   10/13   vs. NYG   
7   10/19   @ Was   
8   10/26   @ Jac   
9   11/2   vs. Bal   
10   11/6   vs. Den   
11   11/17   @ Buf   
12   11/23   vs. Hou   
13   11/30   vs. Ind   
14   12/7   @ Ten   
15   12/15   @ Phi   
16   12/21   vs. Cin   
17   12/28   @ Pit

[KStay2]

I say 10-6, they have a tough schedule, but who knows how all those teams will pan out.

[X]

I voted 2-10.  Cleveland teams never do well when they are supposed to.  And I have a feeling that the Browns will just completely miss 4 games somehow.

[Evergrey]

It's tough to predict... especially since the Browns and Steelers have such brutal schedules this year.  I do think the Browns will finish in the top half of the division... Bengals will probably underperform as usual... and the Ravens should be horrible. 

top half, eh? lol! go ahead. say it! say it! second place right?

that will depend a lot on if big ben stays on his tricycle so he can keep healthy. 

I can't decide if this will be the year the Browns break through or if the Steelers will remain on top.  The Steelers offensive line play was the worst I have ever seen last year... and then they lost Faneca in the offseason!  So the O-line could be a huge liability.  However, Big Ben had his best year last year despite getting hammered constantly.  If he takes yet another step forward this year... his skill alone could carry the Steelers far.  I think the Steelers are gonna be the most pass-oriented they've ever been this year. 

The Browns are also a question mark.  They went from dogpoo early season to one of the most exciting teams in the NFL... and only missed out on the playoffs because the AFC has been so doggone strong in recent years.  Can Derek Anderson and the young Browns continue to excel... or will they pull a Bengals and revert to mediocrity? 

[KJP]

I think the deciding factor will be the two Browns-Steelers games.  Who ever wins those games wins the division. If they split the series...it's a toss up.

I agree with this 100%

[CBC]

Call me unoriginal but i went with 10-6 based on how much more difficult their schedule is this year. I went down to the practice at the Stadium last Friday night and the offense looked really good, although Andersen still struggles with those short passes over the middle. His short outside passes and medium range looked much improved. The D-line did their drills right in front of us and I was thouroughly impressed with Rodgers. If it all holds  together (read: Pass Defense) they can go 12-4 , 5-1 in the division. Of course 8-8 is always a possibility given how close and how lucky the Browns got last season in some of those games.

[KJP]

Of course 8-8 is always a possibility given how close and how lucky the Browns got last season in some of those games.

Unless you're the 1985 Chicago Bears, when don't close games happen and luck play a big difference in them?

[CBC]

Of course the luck involved with the Baltimore game fieldgoal and that ridiculous time out on the fieldgoal at the Raiders probably canceled each other out last year...

I am just thankful that they have enough depth at most positions (except possibly running back and d-back ) to be several injuries from melting down. That Stalworth pickup looks like genius now that Joe J. is on the PUP list.

Overall I am just excited.

[Master]

They should have a little more defense this year and an even better running game, which should help the best quarterback we've had in a long time. The offense will be osome, without a doubt. If the defense gives them a little more help than last year, I predict 12-4.

[Firenze98]

Call me unoriginal but i went with 10-6 based on how much more difficult their schedule is this year. I went down to the practice at the Stadium last Friday night and the offense looked really good, although Andersen still struggles with those short passes over the middle. His short outside passes and medium range looked much improved. The D-line did their drills right in front of us and I was thouroughly impressed with Rodgers. If it all holds  together (read: Pass Defense) they can go 12-4 , 5-1 in the division. Of course 8-8 is always a possibility given how close and how lucky the Browns got last season in some of those games.

I'm with you on this.  10-6 is mine too based on that brutal schedule and hype.  They could have easily been 12-4 had the Arizona game been ruled differently and they didn't lose the lead in Sh!tsburgh

[cd-cleveland]

Has anyone's opinion changed because of preseason play and injuries?

[Cincinnatus]

16-0 ... whaaa ... lol

[Keith]

I went with 8-8. They just got lucky too many times last year and I don't think they have the advantage of being a surprisingly good team this year. Plus they have a tougher schedule. In addition I still think DA is overrated.

[jam40jeff]

^Agree completely.  Also went with 8-8- (and no I didn't read this post until after I voted ).

[CWMccann18]

I said 9-7. I'm not a Browns fan but they have got talent on offense.

[KJP]

A tougher schedule based on what? Last year? When is past performance an accurate indicator of future results? How many times have we seen teams with good records stink up the joint the next year? I've seen it a lot, so I don't expect anything nor do I predict anything. I know it's fun for some to try and predict but not for me. And for those who put their hard-earned money down on this sort of thing all I can say is "I don't get it."

I just watch and enjoy the games, and take them as they come.

[mrnyc]

well in that case you may also enjoy building this toy model   

[Keith]

A tougher schedule based on what? Last year? When is past performance an accurate indicator of future results? How many times have we seen teams with good records stink up the joint the next year? I've seen it a lot, so I don't expect anything nor do I predict anything. I know it's fun for some to try and predict but not for me. And for those who put their hard-earned money down on this sort of thing all I can say is "I don't get it."

I just watch and enjoy the games, and take them as they come.

I'd call it a tougher schedule because 6 of the games are against teams that made the playoffs last year, the bye week is earlier in the season than it was last year, and I can't imagine any of these teams coming too close to matching what Miami did last year. So yes I'd say I'm judging partly at least based on what they did last year.

I don't get betting on games either. I get mad enough watching the Browns play with nothing on the line but pride.

[CBC]

Grrrr, I am revising my prediction to 6 and 10...