Sports Illustrated has ‘bold predictions’ for Browns, AFC North

Every NFL season seems to have themes to it. In 2023, it was a bunch of injuries to quarterbacks (and overall) along with some stellar play and plays all over the league. In the end, it was the defense of the Kansas City Chiefs that brought another Super Bowl championship to Patrick Mahomes’ team.

For the Cleveland Browns, 2023 was about a dominant defense, five different starting quarterbacks, a slew of injuries throughout the year and disappointment in the NFL playoffs. The 2024 Browns roster will look similar to the one from last year with just a few important changes.

With training camp just around the corner for the start of the 2024 NFL season, Sports Illustrated brought out “100 bold predictions” for the season including a few about Cleveland and the rest of the ultracompetitive AFC North. Unlike many, SI has high expectations for QB Deshaun Watson this season:

13. Deshaun Watson will throw for 32 touchdowns and run for another 10

Those numbers would be in line with Watson’s best season (33 TDs, 7 INTs) in 2020. That year he only had three rushing touchdowns.

A line like this would put the Browns in a position to win the AFC North but SI predicts that goes to the Cincinnati Bengals and MVP QB Joe Burrow:

25. Joe Burrow will win the MVP award

The Bengals’ quarterback will finally, officially be back. Amid Cincinnati’s Super Bowl run, Burrow will post 4,700 passing yards and 35 touchdowns en route to an AFC North title.

One of the other predictions is that Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt won’t have to leave the award ceremony early this year:

20. T.J. Watt will win the Defensive Player of the Year award

With more stability at the quarterback position, the Steelers will be playing ahead more often than not, despite an absolutely absurd and rigorous back-end schedule that has them taking on all of their division rivals in the final weeks of the year. The AFC North remains the best division in football because of its stockpile of finalists for the award.

SI also predicts a Baltimore Ravens defender will lead the NFL in tackles this season.

Along with a note about Cleveland’s players tagging out an older lady from “The Greatest Generation,” the Steelers using a two-quarterback system and the Bengals losing in the Super Bowl are other interesting AFC North-related predictions among the many in the piece.

A lot of positives for the division and one positive for the Browns in the long list of predictions. What is your bold prediction for the 2024 NFL season?

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