The world may seem like it is falling apart for the Cleveland Browns, but the Browns get to take on the winless Detroit Lions in Week 11.
In addition to the 45-7 loss to the Patriots on Sunday, Baker Mayfield left the game early.
On the bright side, there is good news about the franchise quarterback:
Kevin Stefanski says QB Baker Mayfield is “day-to-day” with the knee injury, but Stefanski is "feeling good about where he is.” #Browns
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 15, 2021
With Mayfield most likely under center for the Week 11 contest, the Browns will hope to get back in the win column.
In order to do so, the Browns need a bounceback game from both the offense and defense.
Cleveland returns home looking to push its record at FirstEnergy Stadium to 4-2.
If the Browns can get the victory, they also hope they can move out of the basement of the tightly-contest AFC North division.
1. Browns Beat Lions By More Than Two Touchdowns
The Lions come to town to take on the Browns, who are playing at 1 pm for the fourth consecutive week.
The AFC North is going to be a battle for the remainder of the season, and fortunately, the Browns have the easiest matchup in Week 11:
AFC North after Week 10 with next opponent in parenthesis:
Ravens: 6-3 (at Bears)
Steelers: 5-3-1 (at Chargers)
Bengals: 5-4 (at Raiders)
Browns: 5-5 (vs. Lions)— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) November 14, 2021
Interestingly, the Browns are looking for their first victory against the Lions since 2001.
In that contest two decades ago, Tim Couch threw for three touchdowns in a 24-14 victory.
Browns fans would not mind seeing a win like that with three Mayfield touchdowns in Week 11 this year.
2. The Browns Win the Turnover Battle
This does not sound like a bold prediction.
However, if you look at the NFL ranks in turnover differential, you will see Cleveland and Detroit tied at 18th this season:
- T-15. Las Vegas Raiders, +1
- T-15. Philadelphia Eagles, +1
- 17. Denver Broncos, 0
- T-18. Cleveland Browns, -1
- T-18. Detroit Lions, -1
In addition, the Browns’ success with turnovers leads to wins:
- Browns’ record when forcing at least one turnover: 4-1
- Browns’ record when allowing at least one turnover: 1-4
It is very important for Cleveland to win the turnover battle against Detroit on Sunday.
If not, the Lions will have a chance at their first win of the season.
3. The Defense Gets Back to Dominating
From Week 7 to Week 9, the Browns defense was dominant.
Cleveland allowed 14 points to the Broncos, 15 points to the Steelers, and 16 points to the Bengals.
Unfortunately, the Browns were only able to win two of those games.
On the bright side though, Cleveland has a defense unit that can stand tough for the remainder of the season.
Additionally, the team will be able to get some rest in Week 13 before a five-game gauntlet to end the season.
For now, Kevin Stefanski and the Browns have to focus on stringing together some wins.
Cleveland has just one winning streak this season: Week 2 to Week 4.
A win on Sunday should get the team going again, and the matchup against the Lions is just what the doctor ordered.
Even though Detroit avoided a loss for the first time this season in Week 10, the team did not show that it is ready for winning football.
A double-digit victory for the Browns is most likely what we will see on Sunday.
NEXT: Odell Beckham Jr. Claims He Never Wanted To Leave Browns
