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NFL Predictions 2018: Who will finish in the basement, AFC Edition

By Mark Morales-Smith

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 31: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Buffalo Bills is carted off the field after an injury in the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 31: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Buffalo Bills is carted off the field after an injury in the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 08: Duke Johnson #29 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the ball in the game against New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 08: Duke Johnson #29 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the ball in the game against New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

AFC North

Basement Dwellers: Cleveland Browns

No surprise here that the team who has won one game over the past two seasons and hasn’t been relevant since the original version of the team became the Ravens is finishing in last once again.

There is a lot of hype surrounding the Browns this year. but it has gotten a bit out of hand. Granted, this team could win four games this season, which should be exciting by their standards. Unfortunately, their bar has been set so low that, even with such a huge increase in success, they’ll still be among the worst in the league.

There is a lot of excitement surrounding their offseason this year. However, the team that “wins” the offseason almost always disappoints and adding a handful of big-name free agents is rarely a recipe for success. The biggest thing being overlooked is the fact that this team lost their best player. Joe Thomas retiring is an immeasurable blow. This team would trade Jarvis Landry, Carlos Hyde and Tyrod Taylor tomorrow to have a healthy Thomas back for this season.

With all that said, this doesn’t mean the Cleveland fans don’t have a lot to be excited about. This team very well could finally be heading in the right direction. It’s just going to take some time. This was a historically awful franchise and it takes time to change that. Currently, this is still a below average offense and bad defense. Adding a bunch of pass-catchers and a mediocre quarterback isn’t enough to drag this team out of last place. Nevertheless, a talented first-overall pick and some young defenders on the rise could do just that. Just not this season.

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