The Cleveland Browns have been easily one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL in 2019. Many people had them as serious Super Bowl contenders.
Instead, they have come out flat most of the year.
The Browns started off the season with a 2-6 record. Basically nothing was going right for them. In fact, one of the few bright spots was Myles Garrett. And unless you live under a rock, you know he's likely suspended for the rest of the year due to a fight in Week 11.
However, they've also won two games in a row and now sit with a 4-6 record. While it's not great, it gives them a little hope.
Can they move up once again to 5-6?
In Week 12 they face off with the Miami Dolphins. Here are four reasons they can win again.
Baker Mayfield Hitting A Stride
Through the first eight games of the season, Baker Mayfield was one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the entire NFL. He was simply bad, there's no other way to put it.
Mayfield's turned it around in the last few weeks though.
In Cleveland's 2-6 start, Mayfield had seven touchdown passes compared to 12 interceptions. However, he's thrown four touchdown passes and no picks in his last two games. That's gotten his numbers up to 11 and 12.
His completion percentage is still under 60 (59.2%) and he's still on-pace for under 4,000 yards. However, those are both numbers that are trending upwards as well.
So if Mayfield is truly turning a corner, maybe the Browns are too. One of the big reasons for their big turnaround last season was the play of the quarterback. If he's starting to find that magic again in 2019, it makes it much easier to bet on Cleveland.
Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb
The Browns have not had a lot of bright spots this year. Nick Chubb was one of them though. The running back has been electric all year.
In fact, he's already over 1,000 yards. On 201 carries, Chubb has 1,011 yards and six touchdowns (5.0 yards per carry). He also has a surprising 27 receptions for 166 yards. That's after having just 20 receptions for 149 yards last season.
Chubb isn't the only star though. The Browns also have Kareem Hunt. He was suspended to start the year but now has two games under his belt.
In those two games, Hunt has 10 carries for 42 yards (4.2 yards per carry) and another 13 receptions for 90 more yards.
Hunt has added another level to the offense. Suddenly, they have a serious threat with Chubb. Someone to keep his legs fresh. They also have another receiving threat. Someone that Mayfield can dump it off to when he's in trouble.
It's no coincidence that Mayfield has cut back on the turnovers since Hunt arrived. He makes things safer for the quarterback and helps keep defenses on their toes.
Momentum
The Browns had not won two games in a row all year long. Now they've done it though. Even with the fight and the suspensions putting a damper on things, it's hard not to notice. This team is finally starting to click on some levels.
Not only that, but they beat two serious teams. The Buffalo Bills started off the two-game streak. That's a 7-3 team with a defense that is considered elite.
Then the Pittsburgh Steelers were win number two. While they are just 5-5 on the year, they came into the game rocking a four-game winning streak. They were considered one of the hottest teams in the NFL and someone that could beat any team at any time.
Clearly the Browns are starting to figure things out. Even if they don't make the playoffs, they could end the year with a decent enough record and something positive to build towards for next season. They can easily continue that trend in Week 12.
It's the Dolphins
Not to be mean, but it's the Dolphins. The Browns get to play Miami in Week 12.
The Dolphins started the year 0-7 before surprising everyone by rattling off two straight wins. One was against the New York Jets, who aren't all that much better than them. The other was against the Indianapolis Colts.
While the Colts are a good team, they did not have starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett in that game. Brian Hoyer looked pretty rusty in his place.
Miami lost in Week 11 to the Bills and now sits at 2-8. While the two wins show you can't take them too lightly, this still is not a team that should instill fear in anyone.
They have very few weapons on offense and a black hole at quarterback. The offensive line is terrible and the defense has very few true playmakers.
Not only could this be a win for the Browns, but a statement win. They could put up big numbers and show everyone that they're still alive.
No offense to the Dolphins, but that's a team you should bet against basically everyone week. So why not do it in Week 12 against a Cleveland team that's found some momentum for the first time all year.
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