NFL Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns’ 2014 Midseason Grade

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Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a roller coaster ride for the Cleveland Browns so far this year. They set a new NFL record with the largest come-from-behind win by a road team, they crushed their rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers and lost to a winless Jacksonville Jaguars team. From week to week, you never know what to expect from this team.

The good news is the Browns are over .500 as we reach the midway mark of the season. The bad news is, even at 4-3, the Browns are in a familiar place in the AFC North, last place.

Under coach Mike Pettine, this team will never give up in a game. That’s proven by the team’s two late-game wins and the fact that two of their three losses came by just a combined five points.

The formula has been simple in the Browns’ victories this year: run the ball well with Ben Tate, Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell and have quarterback Brian Hoyer be a smart game manager, limiting turnovers and maximizing scoring chances. The Browns’ three running backs have combined for 815 yards this season and five touchdowns, a pretty solid rushing attack. As far as Hoyer is concerned, he has been the perfect “game manager.”  He has 1,700 yards passing, eight touchdowns and just two interceptions. The big key for Hoyer and the Browns is to keep limiting those turnovers. I would imagine Hoyer will be thrilled to get a guy like Josh Gordon back, and that should happen in just a few weeks.

The defense has struggled this year, ranking 20th against the pass and 30th against the run while giving up around 22 points per game. They give up 143 yards a game on the ground and 252 yards through the air. They have just 15 sacks in seven games and have created 11 turnovers (eight INTs, three fumbles). Just like the Browns overall, the defense has its ups and its downs. They need a healthy Joe Haden in the secondary and they need to get Phil Taylor and Billy Winn healthy on the defensive line.

The up and down season will continue for the Browns, but one thing that will benefit them in the second half is getting Gordon back in the lineup. He makes this team much more dangerous and should be ready to go in Week 11. I see the Browns finishing over .500, but I don’t see a playoff spot in their future. This season should give Browns fans a little more confidence in their team. With a solid running game, smart quarterback play and a big-time wide receiver, I expect the Browns to make even more noise in 2015.

Midseason Grade: C+

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