Cleveland Browns: AFC North not yet out of reach

Despite their seemingly terrible luck in recent weeks, the Cleveland Browns’ season is not finished just yet. It might be an uphill climb, but they still have a chance in the AFC North.

Ah, the good old Cleveland Browns. The NFL’s continuous lovable losers from northeast Ohio have actually seen something of a revival this season. Through seven games, the Dawg Pound has had two wins to cheer about, doubling their total from 2016 and 2017 combined. And yet, the Browns still sit at the bottom of their division.

The last time the Browns actually won their division was the 1989 AFC Central, before the team moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens. Since their reincarnation in 1999, the Browns have failed to win either the AFC Central or the AFC North. In fact, the Browns have only finished in the top half of their division three times (2001, 2002, 2007).

But, all is not lost this season. Despite sitting last in the AFC North once again, the Browns still have a chance in the division. Their schedule is grueling from here on out, but the division crown is not yet out of reach. In the coming weeks, the Browns can make a push to put themselves right in the thick of the division.

In Week 8, the Browns will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers once more. The two teams tied in Week 1, and this could be a well-fought battle, with the Steelers lacking Le’Veon Bell again. That’s not all, however, as the Browns will see the 6-1 Kansas City Chiefs, and the 3-4 Atlanta Falcons following that.

If the Browns can take two out of their next three games, they have to hope that the rest of the division can help them out. The Steelers still have games against the Jaguars, Chargers and Patriots. The Bengals still have four divisional games left to go, all of which seem to be up in the air. The Ravens are a mystery, but still have a couple of crucial games to go near the end of the season.

The Browns have, to put it lightly, an uphill climb to stay out of the bottom of the AFC North. This division has seem something of a revival this year, with each and every team still in the race halfway through the season.

Despite boneheaded coaching from Hue Jackson and company, the Browns still have a chance. Rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield looks like the fearless leader the Browns desired, Myles Garrett is a stud, and Denzel Ward is the shutdown cornerback the Browns have desperately needed for years. It’s not going to be easy for the Cleveland Browns to win the divisional crown, or even stay out of the basement. But then again, this isn’t your grandfather’s “Same Old Browns.”