The Cleveland Browns are coming into the 2021 NFL season with expectations the team hasn’t experienced in a long time. After defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round and losing a hard-fought game to the Kansas City Chiefs in last season’s postseason, people are high on the Browns.
Cleveland has a deep, talented roster on both sides of the ball. They have recognizable names at every level as Kevin Stefanski is leading one of the best rosters in the NFL.
Will they be able to handle the new expectations of this season, being the hunted instead of the hunter? We will have to wait and see! Until then, take in these five bold predictions for the Browns during the 2021 season.
5. RB Duo Breaks 1,000 Yards Rushing Each
The Cleveland Browns have arguably the best running back duo in the NFL with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Hunt could start on numerous teams around the league and has shown what he can do as a lead back during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs.
With a run-heavy game plan likely in store for 2021 again, the Browns are going to wear teams down all season with this duo. Their stats will reflect that, as Chubb and Hunt will both rush for at least 1,000 yards this season.
Hunt fell only 159 yards short of that plateau last season. With an extra game this season and increased familiarity with Kevin Stefanski’s schemes, he will reach the 1,000 yard plateau for the first time since his rookie season when he led the NFL with 1,327 yards.
4. Cleveland Has Top-8 Offense and Defense
The 2021 Cleveland Browns have a chance to be one of the best teams in franchise history during the Super Bowl era. Only three times in that span, and not since 1987, have the Browns been top-10 in both offense and defense in a season.
This year will be the fourth Browns team to accomplish that feat. Cleveland will finish in the top-eight on both sides of the ball, as they will assert their dominance offensive on the back of their running game and put the finishing touches on games with their revamped defense.
3. Myles Garrett Wins Defensive Player of the Year
One of the reasons people are so high on the Cleveland Browns’ defense this season is Myles Garrett. Garrett has lived up to the hype of being a No. 1 overall pick and been everything the Browns have wanted.
He put the ugly incident against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 behind him, putting together a very strong 2020 with 12 sacks. He will build upon that number in 2021 and win the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Cleveland has upgraded the defense, which will make it easier for Garrett to rack up stats. If Jadevon Clowney can remain healthy opposite of him, they will be having plenty of meetings in the opposition’s backfield this upcoming season.
2. Donovan Peoples-Jones Leads Cleveland In Touchdown Receptions
The Cleveland Browns are getting superstar Odell Beckham Jr. back into the fold this season after he injured his knee in 2020. But, he isn’t the player turning heads during training camp. That designation would go to Donovan Peoples-Jones.
Peoples-Jones was one of the receivers that were called upon to help fill in for Beckham last season and he did well with his opportunities. Looking to expand on them in 2021, he has one of the standouts during camp.
After averaging 21.2 yards per reception last season, he will convert some more of those deep balls into scores this season. Peoples-Jones will lock down the No. 3 receiver spot in the lineup and lead the team in touchdown receptions in 2021.
1. Browns Win Division and Two Playoff Games
The Cleveland Browns will have competition for the AFC North from the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. Cleveland got over the hurdle against the Steelers in 2020 and this year, it is time to do the same to the Ravens.
Cleveland will overtake Baltimore as the division winner in 2021. While they won’t lock down a bye in the playoffs, they will get two home games and win both of them, advancing to at least the AFC Championship game this year.
