Fan Fiction: Cleveland Browns 2022 Season

Okay so I know none of this is likely to happen but I want to write out my dream scenario for the rest of the Cleveland Browns season. 

I don't like DeShaun Watson. I really shouldn't have to explain why. I understand the NFL is full of players who have committed reprehensible actions. I also think there is a difference between a third string offensive lineman who commits such acts, and a QB who is not only the face of your franchise but earns a record setting contract. 

All of that being said Jacoby Brissett is a Hall of Fame person. I mean this guy is all-time likeable...

Like how are you not rooting for a guy who tears up over the opportunity to play in a football game? That's as "football guy" as it gets. 

Not only is he a super easy to root for as a guy, but as a football player, he has been very productive on the field in 2022. 

 

 

I mean this might sound like recency bias or an over exaggeration but Jacoby Brissett might be the best Browns QB, through the first three games of a season, since 1999.  

I LOVE this guy!

Realistically...there is a 0% chance they keep DeShaun Watson on the sideline all season. You don't make a move for a player like that without being ALL IN. But I want to dive into the world of fiction here for a moment, and examine a situation where this dark cloud of DeShaun Watson no longer has to plague this franchise. 

Let's live in a world where the following game results play out:

Browns/Falcons: W 28-24

Browns/Chargers: W 32-21

Browns/Patriots: L 28-20

Browns/Ravens: W 21-17

Browns/Bengals: W 24-21

Browns/Dolphins: W 35-34

Browns/Bills: L 42-40

Browns/Bucs: W 27-10

***DeShaun Watson Returns***

Browns/Texans: L 24-17

Browns/Bengals: L 35-14


Before we dive into the December 18th game against the Ravens lets breakdown some of situations I have painted above. 

First, let's talk about the overall record. If these games played out this way the record would be 8-3 under Jacoby and the offense would continue to be electric all season. I can't tell you the last time the Browns were 8-3 but I have to imagine it predates 1999. 

Next, let's dive into the Jacoby losses...in this situation we lose to the Patriots...what else is new. Sure, they're an inferior roster, but, it's Bill Belichick. You can never overlook him. Not to mention Jacoby started off his career with the Patriots. Maybe he is just overwhelmed by the emotions of the game, or maybe Bill gets in his head but either way, Browns come up short in a game they were expected to win. Third loss under Jacoby comes at the hands of the Bills. This one is super understandable. Bills are a wagon, and this game is a shoot out. Back and forth all game, Jacoby and the Browns offense hangs in there but it's one of those games where whoever has the ball in the final possession ends up winning. 

Now let's examine a couple of the Jacoby wins. He's undefeated in the division. 3-0 in the AFC North?! I mean there should be a statue for this man outside of First Energy. One other big win I want to take a look at is Browns/Bucs the week before DeShaun Watson returns. Jacoby was Tom's backup...not only that...it's Tom Brady...and #7 goes out there and puts up a decisive victory. I have to imagine media was hounding Jacoby all week after a close loss to the Bills, and with Waston's return imminent. But still Jacoby silences the doubters, and in the face of all the drama he hangs another one in the win column. 

Last, we need to take a look at these DeShaun Watson games. First of all, just as the scores indicate...offense takes a clear step back with DW under center. Next, this is the first time all season the team has back to back losses, and the first time we have lost to an AFC North team. Let's also pretend that Bengals loss puts them on top of the division, with another division rival looming the following week. 

After that Texans loss I imagine a lot of Browns fans make excuses for Watson. It's been two years since he played, it's against the Texans, emotions are high, blah blah blah. But after that Bengals game I have to imagine the city has turned on him. 

This brings us to the Browns/Ravens game in Cleveland on December 18th. Drama has been brewing all week. Callers on 92.3 The Fan have been screaming to get Jacoby back as the starter. Stefanski has been fielding questions from Daryl Reuiter to the tune of "We have the upmost confidence in DeShaun. He is our starting quarterback and he will remain our starting quarterback for the rest of the season." 

Ravens get the ball first in this match-up. Lamar marches down field to go up 7-0 early. DeShaun takes the field welcomed with a wave of boos among the fans. First down Nick Chubb gains nine. Second down Watson takes a shot that results in a pick-six. At this point the boos are deafening in First Energy. Watson throws his helmet as he gets to the sideline, refusing to go back in the game. Jacoby is warming up. Our savior #7 takes the field, and you can feel the energy shift within the stadium. He entered with a 14 point deficit and ends up leading the Browns to yet another AFC North victory. GV Artwork starts making "King of the North" t-shirts with Jacoby featured as the King. 

Jacoby goes on to win out the rest of the regular season, finishing the year 12-5. Leading the Browns to their first AFC North title since 1989. 

GV Artwork is pumping out more and more t-shirts. We have "Party like it's 1964" shirts throughout the city. The Browns are buzzing. They're the talk of the NFL. 

Jacoby continues this miraculous run leading the team to a Super Bowl and engraving his name in the NFL history books.


As for DeShaun...he gets another chance somewhere else. Of course he does. I mean this is the NFL we're talking about. As long as you don't kneel for the flag or shed a light on systemic oppression, you will find an opportunity in this league.  

What's next for Jacoby and the Browns? The sky is the limit. But the fanbase is finally united once more. We slowly start to come together again. Peace and happiness reign supreme off the shores of Lake Erie. 

-BG   

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