Why The Cleveland Browns Have a Serious Shot at Winning the Super Bowl This Year

Don't look now, but the Cleveland Browns have spent the off-season gearing up for the 2008 season in a big way. Once head coach Romeo Crenell was secured with a two-year extension, the domino effect began. Less than a month later, running back Jamal Lewis was signed to a three year extension and by March 1st, Derek Anderson was given a three year deal. However, it's the smaller pieces to the puzzle that leaves the impression this could be the year the Cleveland Browns win the Super Bowl.

Coming out of the AFC North shouldn't be too difficult considering their company. The Baltimore Ravens have had a suspect secondary the past few years due to age and injuries. Having three opposing quarterbacks that have geared their offenses towards throwing the ball (including Cleveland) could spell trouble for the Ravens all year long. Not to mention the crew of inexperienced quarterbacks behind center could be on their backs for most of the season.

The Cincinnati Bengals don't look to be a serious threat considering they have constant turmoil within the clubhouse thanks to "Ocho Cinco." They lost wide receiver Chris Henry, got him back, then decided they didn't want the distraction anyway. Another AFC North team with an overrated secondary, they'll most likely spend another year hoping the offense can average thirty points a game to keep them in games.

Pittsburgh is their only true threat in the division as they seem to be their at season's end every year. It will be up to Willie McGinest and company to control the running game and force Rothliesberger to throw more than 40 times a game in order to create more interception opportunities. If they can get a split with the former Super Bowl champs, then the Browns have a real shot at taking the division hands down.

However, it's imperative the Browns get off to a hot start in the first four games of the season. They start the season with home games against Dallas and Pittsburgh before heading to the road for two games at Baltimore and Cincinnati. Coming out with a 2-2 or possibly 3-1 record will set the tone for the rest of the season as they come off the bye week in Week 5 and set their next three games up against 2007 playoff teams (N.Y. Giants, @Washington, @Jacksonville).

So why do they have a serious shot at winning the Super Bowl in 2008? The Browns offense is going to be sick. With the resigning of Derek Anderson, who threw for over 3,700 yards last year, newly acquired wide receiver Donte Stallworth from New England, a 1,000 yard rusher in Jamal Lewis, phenom wide receiver Braylon Edwards, sure handed wide out Joe Jurevicius and a thousand yard tight end in Kellen Winslow Jr., the Browns should be able to score at will. Even if they do struggle from time to time, averaging somewhere between twenty to thirty points will keep them in every game.

On the defensive side of the ball, it's imperative for the Browns to improve on the 2007 ranking of 30th overall in defense. Ranked 24th against the pass and 27th against the run, Cleveland has to sustain a system that works. Adding Shaun Rogers (Detroit Lions) and Corey Williams (Green Bay) to the mix will definitely help and could give McGinest the additional team leadership that will help them gel as a defensive team.

In the end, Crennel has his team focused on the 2008 season. Winslow Jr. has expressed that he doesn't want to be a team distraction while sputtering through contract negotiations which would leave everyone believing this team is ready to make a run. While no one should expect a season like New England had in 2007, rest assured the Browns have all the makings of a Super Bowl caliber team. We'll just have to see if they live up to the expectations.

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