When Jack Conklin went down for the season in Week 1, Cleveland Browns fans got restless.
When they lost Nick Chubb in a heartbreaking defeat to the Steelers, some thought the season was over.
Since then, the Browns have lost their starting quarterback and left tackle.
But now they roll into Week 12 with a 7-3 record with some fans discussing Super Bowl expectations.
And 92.3 The Fan’s Ken Carman cautions folks about downplaying important accomplishments in between.
The standard has changed for the 7-3 #Browns pic.twitter.com/9xw2RJaYJd
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) November 22, 2023
Carman told his audience he believes there is a path for the Browns to the AFC Championship.
Should the Browns fall short, though, he doesn’t think the season is a failure.
“I don’t want to make a divisional round game seem like it’s nothing,” the radio host said. “I don’t want to make the playoffs seem like it’s nothing. It’s something.”
With the number of key offensive starters out, most teams would write off the playoffs.
But Cleveland’s defense has the ability to dominate, something that gives the Browns a chance every week.
More than a few analysts have labeled Jim Schwartz’s unit a “Super Bowl-caliber defense.”
While that raises hopes of a 14-3 finish, fans can’t expect low-scoring victories each week.
Kevin Stefanski is fast-tracking rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s development.
But Andrew Berry signed an emergency backup plan in Joe Flacco, just in case.
Most of the Browns’ remaining opponents will not make the 2023 playoffs, but no team offers a guaranteed win.
And Carman is correct that “just” making the playoffs will be quite an accomplishment.
NEXT: Dorian Thompson-Robinson Shares His Thoughts On Joe Flacco
