Jacoby Brissett's final three starts will determine if the Browns still have a chance at the postseason when Deshaun Watson returns on Dec. 4. (USA Today)
Playoff run hinges on next three games for refreshed Browns
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Takeaways from Browns practice and interviews …
They’re back.
The Browns returned from their bye week on Monday, healthier in body and spirit, and poised to make something of this season, after all.
Their next three games will determine if Deshaun Watson has a chance to pay any dividends on his $230 million guaranteed contract this season. If Jacoby Brissett can win two of his final three games as the temp starting quarterback, the Browns would be 5-6 and Watson, mathematically, at least, could ride in and save the season.
The Browns’ shortest path to the playoffs remains winning the AFC North division and not matching tie-breakers in the wild-card chase. Losses to the Jets (6-3), Patriots (5-4), and Chargers (5-3) will haunt the Browns come tie-breaker time.
Their chances are better of making a run at the division title, which could be decided in the final weekend when Baltimore plays at Cincinnati and the Browns play at Pittsburgh. Baltimore’s weak remaining schedule, however, puts the Ravens in the driver’s seat and leaves the Browns needing plenty of help.
Here is how the division shakes out over the next three weeks.
1. Baltimore, 6-3 overall, 2-0 in division games. Next three: Bye, home v. Carolina, at Jacksonville.
2. Cincinnati, 5-4 overall, 0-3 in division games. Next three: Bye, at Pittsburgh, at Tennessee.
3. Cleveland, 3-5 overall, 2-1 in division games. Next three: at Miami, at Buffalo, home v. Tampa Bay.
4. Pittsburgh, 2-6 overall, 1-1 in division games. Next three: home v. New Orleans, home v. Cincinnati, at Indianapolis.
Watson, who has been attending meetings for two weeks and working out with strength and conditioning coaches, can begin practicing with the team on Monday. He would then have two weeks of practices before his first eligible game Dec. 4 in Houston.
Naturally, coach Kevin Stefanski is not letting his team get ahead of the task at hand Sunday against the Dolphins.
“I think the guys are focused on the work and focused on getting back out there on the field off of the long weekend,” he said. “I think that is kind of where we are, not really thinking big picture.”
Getting healthy
The Browns started the day by designating running back Jerome Ford and defensive end Chase Winovich for return from injured reserve. It’s the first step in getting them on the field. Both practiced on Monday. Their game status will be determined after a full week of practice. Roster moves would have to be made to make them active.
Ford, who is the heir-apparent to Kareem Hunt’s third-down back role next season, appeared in the first four games before injuring an ankle against Atlanta. He returned six kickoffs for a 24.2-yard average. He would return to that role if made active.
“I enjoyed it. I enjoy anything that puts me on the field. Hopefully, I will be able to get back in there,” Ford said.
Winovich played in only two games before suffering a hamstring injury. He said teammates cheered when it was announced at a team meeting he would finally rejoin them on the practice field.
Winovich said the team used the bye week to refresh mentally as well as physically.
“Ultimately, going into a bye week, being able to kind of reset with that mindset, ‘Listen we have a good team here, a lot of really good players, good coaches and a lot of pieces. Let’s come back, let’s take some time off, spend it with our family and loved ones, come back refreshed and recharged and make this push,’” he said. “The energy was really high today at practice, and we are just going to keep it going.”
Also returning to practice were cornerback Denzel Ward (concussion) and right guard Wyatt Teller (calf).
Stefanski said Ward, who has missed the last three games, is “in the next step of the process” of clearing concussion protocol and would not speculate on his game status.
Teller, who missed the past two games, said, “I feel like it’s healing well. Feels like it’s going in the right direction. I get paid a lot of money to be out there. I don’t want the guys to be out there by themselves. I’m trying to get back, trying to get right.”
Tight end David Njoku (high ankle) and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (knee) did not practice. Njoku worked on the side and JOK must have worked inside the fieldhouse.
Brownie bits
If any phase of the Browns needed to reflect on its errors of the first half of the season it was special teams. Stefanski said, “I think there will be opportunities for us to help this team win in the coverage phases and the return phases and obviously field goal and extra point. Every phase is going to have an opportunity to help us. There are definitely areas that we need to shore up. I think the coaches are working real hard on that and players are working real hard, and I feel good about where we are going.” …
At the halfway point of the season, Nick Chubb ranks second in rushing (841 yards) to Derrick Henry and is tied for first with Austin Ekeler with 10 touchdowns; Cade York is 11th among kickers with 60 points; and Myles Garrett is fifth with 7.5 sacks.
