Cleveland Browns should view 2020 season as an immense success

The Cleveland Browns came up short against the Chiefs in the Divisional Round but the team has no reason to hang their heads after this season. 

Leading into the 2019 season, the Cleveland Browns were anointed as the year’s darling after the offseason addition of Odell Beckham Jr. and fresh off Baker Mayfield‘s record-setting rookie season. We all know how that went; the Browns were a disaster under the one year of Freddie Kitchens, finishing 6-10 and well out of playoff contention.

Enter head coach Kevin Stefanski and substantial reinforcements on the offensive line coming into the 2020 campaign, two changes that made all the difference. Even with a pandemic-shortened offseason that did cause some early growing pains as the team adjusted to a new system, the team found their stride.

The end result was the Browns going 11-5 in the regular season and, with a Week 17 victory over the rival Steelers, Cleveland punched its first ticket to the NFL Playoffs since 2002. Their Wild Card Round matchup pitted them against Pittsburgh once again, this time with the Steelers at full strength.

But the weight of heartbreaking history meant nothing to the Browns as they submitted a dominant performance that saw them jump out to a 28-0 lead and ultimately win, 48-37, for their first postseason victory since 1995.

Unfortunately, Cleveland then traveled to face the Chiefs in the Divisional Round and, while they fought valiantly and saw Patrick Mahomes exit with an injury, they came up short in a 22-17 defeat. Coming off of that loss, however, there should be no drooping shoulders in The Land. This is only the beginning for the Browns.

The Cleveland Browns aren’t a one-year wonder but, rather are a team on the rise.

In retrospect, the hype train that got rolling for the Cleveland Browns prior to the 2019 season might’ve been just a year premature. Because with the right head coach and a fortified offensive line, we saw a young team truly start to hit its stride.

Despite all of the criticism, Mayfield took tremendous steps forward after regressing in his sophomore season, cutting down on his turnovers and becoming a more efficient passer. Meanwhile, Nick Chubb established himself as one of the league’s best running backs while the offense continued to roll even without Odell Beckham Jr. in the fold due to injury.

Assuming Beckham returns for the 2021 season, there is reason to believe that the offense is only going to improve. With a full offseason to work with Stefanski and with Mayfield and the like gaining confidence after their playoff berth and victory, the room for improvement is there on that side of the ball.

But what should really inspire Browns fans is the strides that could be made on defense. They have playmakers with Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward and Ronnie Harrison, among others, but they should also have the opportunity to fill in the gaps this offseason. Adding more depth on the defensive line while bolstering the linebacker corps and secondary could drastically improve the Cleveland defense.

The point is, the 2020 season wasn’t a flash in the pan. And while a narrow playoff loss doesn’t feel good, the Browns were able to accomplish things they haven’t in two decades this year. Even better, the needle is still pointing up for this team and things should only get better from here.