# Cleveland Browns turnaround bandwagon **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 5, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813 "2018-09-05T17:53:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2018, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/201 "2018-12-09T18:03:04Z")
If the Browns win out they can still scrape by a barely winning season (8-7-1) which would be a pleasant surprise. I’m feeling pretty good about today. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2018, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/202 "2018-12-09T21:34:17Z")
Newton was obviously not on when it mattered. Weird pass choices on the attempt to win the game with 2:45ish to go. Some poor plays earlier in the 3rd quarter, too, when I was kinda paying attention for a bit. Browns are definitely better than they have been for 2.5 seasons. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2018, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/203 "2018-12-09T23:13:20Z")
I’m feeling like Baker Mayfield is clearly the franchise QB the Browns have been waiting for. I’m also feeling like Sam Darnold is some guy the Jets still have no idea about whether he’ll pan out or not. So, uh, yeah, Beef, you may have to pry Mayfield out of my cold, dead hands in the Dynasty league. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2018, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/204 "2018-12-10T04:33:10Z")
Found this on reddit: > [@](#): > > Right now the Steelers are 7-5-1, Ravens are 7-6, and Browns are 5-7-1 > > The Steelers will likely be underdogs in their next two games vs New England and @ New Orleans > > The Ravens will be favorites vs Tampa and underdogs vs LA > > If the Browns win their next two games (@Denver and vs Cincinnati) and the favorite wins in the next two for the Ravens and Steelers, they will go into week 17 with: > > Ravens 8-7 > > Steelers 7-7-1 > > Browns 7-7-1 > > A week 17 loss by the Steelers would mean the Browns @ Ravens game would be for the division title Individually none of those things are unlikely at all. All together less so, but to even have a chance at this point is pretty cool. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2018, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/205 "2018-12-10T15:29:12Z")
What gets kind of glossed over there is that the week 17 Steelers loss would have to come at the hands of the Bengals. In Pittsburgh. Can’t see it. Cincinnati is a train wreck now. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2018, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/206 "2018-12-10T15:56:26Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > What gets kind of glossed over there is that the week 17 Steelers loss would have to come at the hands of the Bengals. In Pittsburgh. Can’t see it. Cincinnati is a train wreck now. Maybe the Steelers can lose twice to New Orleans in a single game, instead? ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2018, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/207 "2018-12-15T08:36:39Z")
NFL rookie of the week: Week 1: Denzel Ward Week 3: Baker Mayfield Week 4: Nick Chubb Week 5: Denzel Ward Week 7: Baker Mayfield Week 9: Baker Mayfield Week 10: Nick Chubb Week 12: Baker Mayfield Week 14: Baker Mayfield 3 Browns have won rookie of the week more than the rest of the NFL combined. That’s pretty remarkable. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2018, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/208 "2018-12-15T18:16:41Z")
It’s about time those high draft picks finally pay off. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ennui](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ennui/32/3396_2.png) [@Ennui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ennui)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2018, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/209 "2018-12-16T17:57:47Z")
Local (Cleveland) sports talk radio is getting a little overly giddy talking about the Brown’s playoff chances but I’ll be content for this year, that in mid December the Browns have playoff chances at all. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2018, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/210 "2018-12-16T18:27:01Z")
Lots of exploding heads in Baltimore and Pittsburgh if Browns take the division. Browns fans must be torturing themselves about that OT tie against Pittsburgh and those other two narrow losses right now. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/211 "2018-12-17T01:20:46Z")
C’mon guys, let’s not get too giddy here; odds are pretty good the Browns go 7-8-1, which compared to 1-15 and 0-16 is a massive improvement, with real hope for the future. I’ll mention the Denver game since others haven’t; c’mom folks, when the coach called time out just as Denver was handing the game to him and then the failed 4th down play, didn’t any of you have memories of “The Drive” and “The Fumble”, both against Denver? But not this time…not this time. That 4th down sack renewed hope that just maybe, we have the makings of a contending team here. Until something goes wrong–to be a true Browns fan is to take nothing for granted and to expect suffering. But hope springs eternal… ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/212 "2018-12-17T06:25:19Z")
That’s pretty much it for our playoff chances, unfortunately. We needed the Steelers to lose here to get a shot at the division, or the Colts or Titans to lose to keep the wildcard dream alive. There’s still technically a chance but it’d require the Colts and Titans tying among other things, so practically no. Ah well, to turn a dumpster fire season in the making into an almost playoff run is pretty remarkable. Next year the Browns are going to the playoffs. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/213 "2018-12-17T07:24:37Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Ah well, to turn a dumpster fire season in the making into an almost playoff run is pretty remarkable. Next year the Browns are going to the playoffs. I think Cleveland is a couple of good draft picks/trades and a stable head coach situation away from a playoff berth. Next season that could happen. The Browns have been a forgotten team for so long, it would be great to see them become a force in the AFC. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/214 "2018-12-17T14:30:13Z")
Speaking of the coaching situation, why would they not want to just hire Gregg Williams? ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/215 "2018-12-17T16:19:24Z")
The Browns are still not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but they would need every other team chasing that last wild card spot to lose out, and for Tennessee and Indianapolis to tie in the final game of the season. So, it’s all but over. But they can still finish with a winning record! I think they should just keep Williams. Or at least hire someone that will keep him as DC. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/216 "2018-12-17T16:37:00Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Speaking of the coaching situation, why would they not want to just hire Gregg Williams? Just going by their record since he took charge he seems like an upgrade. I don’t see why this would be a bad idea either. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/217 "2018-12-17T16:40:32Z")
You only keep him if you think that he’s the coach to lead you to 13-3. Just because he’s doing better than the prior coach, that’s not enough. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/218 "2018-12-17T16:58:55Z")
If he has to go 13-3, you have to think he’s one of the top 4 coaches in the NFL. I’m all for setting the bar high, but that might be a bit much. Since he took over Williams is 4-2. If he finishes at 6-2, I’d say that’s pretty damn good and worth keeping around. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/219 "2018-12-17T18:36:14Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > You only keep him if you think that he’s the coach to lead you to 13-3. Just because he’s doing better than the prior coach, that’s not enough. Who out there is more likely than Williams to take the team to 13-3? I mean, if Bill Belichik were looking for work then sure, sorry Gregg but we’re moving on. But who is actually available? Mike McCarthy? You only hire someone else if you think he’s actually an improvement. The last thing the Browns need to do is emulate the Raiders moves on coaching. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813/220 "2018-12-17T19:12:25Z")
The worst thing they could do is to keep the carousel turning. That would only mess Mayfield up, perhaps permanently. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-browns-turnaround-bandwagon/820813.md?page=12)