Joe's Week 1 Locks

It's well documented by every certified Cleveland sports media person the struggles of the Browns since 1999. I cringe through every article searching for some sort of hope to hold on to but rarely find it in the paragraphs of pessimism. 

That's where I differ from the professionals. I believe in optimism every year for the Browns. Some years that lasts to week 10. Some years that lasts to minute 10 in the 1st quarter of game 1. 

Merriam-Webster defines optimism as "a feeling or belief that good things will happen in the future : a feeling or belief that what you hope for will happen." For those of us strong enough to brave each season since '99, our feelings could be better described as insanity. The well known cliche' of insanity "doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results" fits perfectly with all the changes these 'new' Browns have gone through seemingly every year. However, it's the actual definition of insanity "severe mental illness : something that is very foolish or unreasonable" that better defines how I feel when informing a fellow human that I am in fact a Browns fan. An optimistic Browns fan. An Insanely Optimistic Browns Fan.

So to you, Mr. Billick, I've looked at the schedule and not only do I see a Week 1 win over rookie QB Carson Wentz & the Eagles but I also see a Week 2 home-opening win over the down-turning Ravens. 

I don't see much after that but I do have the Browns over their 4.5 projected Las Vegas win total, finishing the season at 6-10. 

Call me Optimistic. Call me Insane. 

Call me a Browns fan.

5 Locks of Week 1

Chicago (+6) @ Houston -  I like the Bears here to at least cover the spread. Brock Osweiler was not overly impressive in Denver and won't justify the money he received this offseason. Year 2 of John Fox in Carolina and Denver were turnaround seasons and I believe this will be the case again in Chicago. Not a playoff team but an improved team are the Bears. Houston, 24-23.

Miami @ (-10.5) Seattle - The Seahawks and Russell Wilson are again leading many postseason predictions for the Super Bowl and MVP, respectively. Will the come out flat, at home, in Game 1? No. They'll put this game away in the first half and cruise home, Seattle 34-17.

Pittsburgh @ (+3) Washington - This might be the insane Browns fan coming out but I like Washington getting the points in this matchup. Both teams have great offenses but the Steelers are missing a couple pieces that will make them a top-5 NFL team later in the season. Cousins outduels Roethlisberger in an awesome Monday night opener, Washington 33-31.

New England @ (+6) Arizona - The Cardinals are my Super Bowl winners and their season opens catching some huge breaks. How great this game could have been after week 4 and Brady's suspension? No Brady, No Gronk, No Ninkovich equals No Chance for the Pats. I hope Garoppolo can keep this a game, but I don't see that happening. Arizona 27-16.

Cleveland (+4) @ Philadelphia - Rookie QBs who missed most of the preseason with a hairline fracture in their ribs should not be favored in their first game in Week 1 even against the Browns. The disrespect unbelievable. New Browns HC Hue Jackson has me hooked. I convinced myself the past Browns head coaching hires were 'good enough' but I now believe that those hires cost the Browns almost as much as the terrible 1st round picks. Jackson is someone other teams actually wanted and the reasons for that will become clear throughout his tenure as the Browns head man. The defense is still terrible in Cleveland but RGIII and the offense do enough to pull out the win in Week 1, Cleveland 27-23.