NFL Notebook Week 9: MVP race, playoff picture, awards and more

By Zach Cohen | Nov 5, 2019

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens hugs quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns after the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 win over Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Chaos in Cleveland

Another team that has noticeably struggled this season is the Cleveland Browns. Maybe they were just victims of a runaway hype train, but it’s safe to say the Browns have not lived up to the lofty expectations that various people set for them. For example, out of 29 writers on NFL.com, only four did not predict the Browns to make the playoffs.

At 2-6, Cleveland will almost assuredly have to win out if they were to play football into January. To be fair, it’s not too challenging of a task. The only two teams the Browns face that currently have a winning record are the Bills and the Ravens, who are both 6-2.

What will be a challenging task is asking Cleveland to cut down on the penalties, and by that I mean they need to take a chainsaw and slice them in half. The Browns lead the league in penalties with 9.4 a game, which costs them roughly 79 yards per game as well.

The most recorded penalties by a team in a season belongs to the Kansas City Chiefs in 1998 with 158. The Browns are on pace for 159.8.

Granted, it’s a different time where flags are seemingly thrown as often as footballs are. Either way, head coach Freddie Kitchens has much work to do after taking over last season and winning five out of the final eight games. Failure to improve could lead to Kitchens’ quick departure from Cleveland.

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