You could say the 2019 Cleveland Browns embraced the hype leading into this season. They were regarded as the team to watch. The talent is there, no one can deny that. But there were realists who felt that the Browns were overconfident as the season began. The Browns are self-imposed targets and that will make their opponents fight hard.
The 2019 Cleveland Browns Are Self-Imposed Targets
They are a favorite, a top-dog, a can’t-miss team. But now the Browns are targets and everyone has the same goal – to keep them from getting to the top, a place they’ve never actually been. The 2019 season was meant to start off with a bang. On paper, they were favored to win easily against the Tennessee Titans. They instead shuffled slumped off their home field after a humiliating loss of 43-13. Their offense didn’t live up to expectations.
Winning Games Last Season Made Them Targets
Cleveland won five of their final seven games last year. And that’s what started it all. It didn’t matter that each victory was against a team with a losing record. Cincinnati Bengals – doomed. Carolina Panthers – an injured quarterback. Denver Broncos – a head coach who wasn’t right for them. The wins came only after Cleveland said “adios” to Hue Jackson.
No One Knew What To Expect
Add to this the fact that Freddie Kitchens took the reins, and no one had any past records to plan for. Well, not last year anyway. He’s a talented play-caller and the Browns will now be running an offense that did wonders for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Opponents have probably figured this out by now and will strategize accordingly. The Titans did.
The Delirium Is Over
As Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports says, “There may be no team in the league (sans the Patriots) that opposing players want to beat more than the heavily promoted Browns.” With their star talent and a predominantly young core, they’re even bigger targets now. Baker Mayfield’s first-year confidence had everyone giddy. However, his movement about the pocket is going to be hindered a lot more now. Everyone took note that he needs to be stopped, and they will do it.
There Is No Overconfidence From the Players Themselves
In the aftermath of Cleveland’s 2018 success, there are a group of fans who have become somewhat cocky. But rest assured, the players and coaching personnel are not. Mayfield said, “Nobody has done anything yet. I’d say everyone is starting from the same Square One.” Kitchens is also careful with his expectations. He knows they need to evolve further than they did last season. “We’re going to continue to keep getting better every day and see where we are first week, fourth week, sixth week. Just continue to get better every day you get out there… we evolved from the eighth game to the end of the season.”
The Browns have so many reasons to be confident. They won’t be lacking in effort or motivation. They want this year to be the year they exceed expectations. The Browns need to be prepared for the people who will try and prevent this from happening.
