Another lost season, on to the next. Geez. Not the Christmas gift Cleveland Browns fans were looking for.
Remember back in the mid-1980s when Marty Schottenheimer had the Browns in the playoffs every single year? Those were exciting times to be a Clevelander. Being a good team during the regular season, then winning entry-level playoff games, and ending up in the AFC Championship Game with an opportunity to be in that year’s Super Bowl. It truly was a magical time to be a fan of the Browns.
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And those squads weren’t the best the franchise had to offer. But they were consistently a playoff team. That was exciting for the fanbase to see their team in the postseason for several seasons in a row. Those Paul Brown-led teams in the 1940s through the mid-1950s were consistent winners, taking home seven championships. 1964 brought forth the franchise’s eighth pro football title.
Ever since the team became the new Browns in 1999, the wheels of the franchise never fell off; they just weren’t installed. Decades of inept rosters and coaching staffs. And losing seasons.
How many seasons since 1999 have yielded double-digit losses? 2025 represents the 19th, ouch.
And now, Cleveland has the opportunity to yet again own the first overall pick in next April’s NFL draft. Heck no, we aren’t proud of that fact. And yet, here we are again.
Can the Browns end up with the first overall pick in next April’s NFL draft? Where do they sit now?
If the season were to end today, here are the standings from the bottom upwards:
——————————————————————————————————————————————————
#32, Pick #1
New York Football Giants 2-13-0
Last five games: 0-5. Last game: Lost Vikings 16-13
Winnable opponents remaining: Raiders, Cowboys
Ranking last week: 32 (unchanged)
Strength of Schedule remaining: .283
#31, Pick #2
Las Vegas Raiders 2-13-0
Last five games: 0-5. Last game: Lost Texans 23-21
Winnable opponents remaining: Giants
Ranking last week: 31 (unchanged)
Strength of Schedule remaining: .267
#30, Pick #3
Cleveland Browns 3-12-0
Last five games: 1-4. Last game: Lost Bills 23-20
Winnable opponents remaining: Bengals, maybe Steelers
Ranking last week: 29 (up 1)
Strength of Schedule remaining: .467
#29, Pick #4
New York Jets 3-12-0
Last five games: 1-4. Last game: Lost Saints 29-6
Winnable opponents remaining: none
Ranking last week: 28 (up 1)
Strength of Schedule remaining: .767 (highest)
#28, Pick #5
Tennessee Titans 3-12-0
Last five games: 2-3. Last game: Beat Chiefs 26-9
Winnable opponents remaining: Saints
Ranking last week: 30 (down 2)
Strength of Schedule remaining: .533
#27, Pick #6
Arizona Cardinals 3-12-0
Last five games: 0-5. Last game: Lost Falcons 26-19
Winnable opponents remaining: Bengals
Ranking last week: 27 (unchanged)
Strength of Schedule remaining: .533
#26, Pick #7
Washington Commanders 4-11-0
Last five games: 1-4. Last game: Lost Eagles 29-18
Winnable opponents remaining: Cowboys
Ranking last week: 25 (up 1)
Strength of Schedule remaining: .550
#25, Pick #8
New Orleans Saints 5-10-0
Last five games: 3-2. Last game: Beat Jets 29-6
Winnable opponents remaining: Titans, Falcons
Ranking last week: 26 (down 1)
Strength of Schedule remaining: .300
