Sunday Feels Like a Must-Win for Kevin Stefanski and the Browns

Without being an actual must-win, Sunday against the Colts feels like a must-win for the 2023 Cleveland Browns.

Since 2021, the Cleveland Browns are 3-13 in their game following a victory. That does not seem possible, but sometimes, the truth hurts.

The Browns have a great opportunity this week to start stringing together their first win streak of the year. Without being an actual must-win, this Sunday in Indianapolis feels like a game that the Browns need to have. Going on the road to do it will be a challenge as Kevin Stefanski is 11-17 on the road in his career. Here are some of his thoughts are traveling to Indy.

“Yeah, we love the challenge of playing on the road. The whole crowd is against you. I know our Browns crowd travels well, so we expect to see quite a bit of orange in that crowd. But you love going into those environments."

According to Pro Football Focus, if the Browns come out of this week with a victory, their chances of making the playoffs jump to 68 percent. If they slip up, their playoff chances drop to a measly 39 percent.

A win on Sunday is vital for Cleveland's playoff hopes 💪 pic.twitter.com/XncBTXpQfM

— PFF CLE Browns (@PFF_Browns) October 20, 2023

Beyond those numbers the Browns need to continue building this momentum that they have, thanks in large part to the defense. If it was not for that group, this team would be in a tough position.

Every single outlet covering the sport has mentioned the Browns' defense after what they did to the 49ers last week. We know how historic they are and how they are legitimately on pace to become one of the best defenses of all time. 

Aug 26, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks on during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports / © Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

It is now up to the offense (which has been sputtering) to start taking form and getting into gear. It is not bleak on the offensive side of the ball, but it has not been consistent. Each time the offense takes a step forward, it has taken two steps back. 

They enter Sunday as the 20th-ranked total offense going for 319.8 yards per game and the 20th-ranked scoring offense at 19 points per game. 

If the Browns want to be a team of consequence late in the year, it is on Kevin Stefanski and Deshaun Watson to get this offensive group going. A win and a smooth offensive performance Sunday would be a great start.