For the first time in what feels like a lifetime, there is optimism surrounding the Cleveland Browns. If the team can win their final two games to close out the season, the Browns will finish 8-7-1. That would represent their first winning record since 2007. A lot of that has to do with head coach Gregg Williams, who is 4-2 since taking over for Hue Jackson.

There has been some chatter around the team that Williams, who is working on an interim basis, could be getting some consideration for a permanent coaching position. But he's not thinking that far ahead, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

“I don’t think it’s fair to the players or anybody here. We’ll talk about that at the end,” Williams said.

The players have been buying into what their new coach is preaching, and the results have followed. Not only could the Browns finish above .500 this season, there is still a scenario in which they could qualify for the playoffs. Even if they don't make it, having it be a possibility this late in the season following an 0-16 season is major progress. Running back Nick Chubb summarized it recently in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio.

“I think just our energy has shifted into a better place,” said Chubb. “The guys are all buying in. We all we all love playing with each other. We love the people coaching us. I think everyone’s just bought into the new system and we’re playing hard for each other.”

The Browns have their work cut out for them in the final two games of the year. They take on the Cincinnati Bengals at home in Week 16, before hitting the road for an away game against the Baltimore Ravens in the final assignment of the regular season.