Browns have chance to rise above .500 for first time in 86 games

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.

Four downs on Browns (1-1) v. Washington Football Team (1-1)

First down: A breather or a trap?

Starting next week, the Browns begin a stretch of three consecutive games against teams with playoff aspirations – Dallas, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh. But to look ahead would be to look past a Washington team that fields a defensive front arguably more dangerous and potentially destructive than any of the aforementioned three with playoff hopes. So, after rebounding from a demoralizing opening game loss, the challenge of first-year coach Kevin Stefanski is to keep his 1-1 team grounded and focused on the next task at hand. That was much easier said than done last season for a team with its own playoff expectations. By the way, a win would put the Browns above .500 in a season for the first time since they were 7-6 on Dec. 7, 2014 -- 86 games ago.

Second down: Strength v. strength.

Washington’s defensive front four is loaded with No. 1 draft picks, most notably Ohio State’s Chase Young, the No. 2 overall selection of the 2020 draft. And the first player off the bench is another No. 1. Sounds like the 49ers of 2019, right? That defensive front – also led by an Ohio State end, Nick Bosa – harassed the Browns into their worst offensive showing of last season. The Washington front is mostly responsible for the team leading the NFL with 11 sacks through two games and ranking second with four takeaways. (Is the Dept. of Defense its future nickname?) The Browns believe they are better equipped this year to handle this challenge because of the additions of offensive tackles Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin – No. 1 picks in their own right. The game marks the toughest challenge yet for the rookie Wills. He may well be pitted against Young (2.5 sacks) at times but also Montez Sweat (1.0), as Washington defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio flip-flops the ends. It’s possible Del Rio may stack the line with a fifth “big” in an attempt to slow down the Browns’ dynamic running duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

Third down: Defensive reinforcements.

The Browns have been down four key defensive players through two games, and then lost one of their replacements and yet another starter after the first game. They may get two back – projected starting nickel back Kevin Johnson for sure and possibly linebacker Mack Wilson. Cornerback Greedy Williams, linebacker Jason Phillips and defensive end Olivier Vernon already have been ruled out. And late in the practice week, cornerback Denzel Ward suffered a groin injury and was listed as questionable. But it was stated during the week by coordinator Joe Woods that recently acquired safety Ronnie Harrison will have his play time increased after breaking in slowly through the first two games. In any case, the star-less offense fielded by Washington, led by Ohio State teammates Dwayne Haskins at quarterback and Terry McLaurin at wide receiver, presents the Browns the opportunity to knock off rust among returning defensive players to prepare for greater challenges ahead.

Fourth down: Well, we’re waiting.

In terms of early disappointments, none ranks higher through two games than the performance of Mike Priefer’s special teams. He admitted as much in his Zoom call this week, during which Priefer appeared under personal siege. In two games, the Browns have failed to execute an ill-advised fake punt, changed kickers, and allowed three 40-plus-yard kickoff returns and a kickoff out of bounds, which turned their No. 1 kickoff coverage ranking from last year upside down to No. 32 this season. There is a glimmer of hope, however. Replacement kicker Cody Parkey made all five of his PATs in his first game in place of departed Austin Seibert.

Prediction: Browns 19, Washington 10.

My record: 2-0.