Tough luck season continues for Browns captain Anthony Walker | Jeff Schudel’s The Cleveland Beat
The Browns were hoping to get starting middle linebacker Anthony Walker back in time for the playoffs, but the only way that can happen now is if they make the...
![Nobody among the limping Browns is benefiting more from the team already having clinched a playoff spot than kicker Dustin Hopkins. Hopkins is still nursing a left hamstring injury and is unlikely to play against the Bengals on Jan. 7 in the regular season finale in Cincinnati. The Browns, 11-5, are locked into the fifth playoff seed, so the outcome of the game will not affect their playoff positioning. Hopkins was injured Dec. 24 chasing after Cameron Johnson, who returned Hopkins’ kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. The injury is to his plant leg. Hopkins did not practice last week […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP23360810522054-2.jpg?w=132 "Nobody among the limping Browns is benefiting more from the team already having clinched a playoff spot than kicker Dustin Hopkins. Hopkins is still nursing a left hamstring injury and is unlikely to play against the Bengals on Jan. 7 in the regular season finale in Cincinnati. The Browns, 11-5, are locked into the fifth playoff seed, so the outcome of the game will not affect their playoff positioning. Hopkins was injured Dec. 24 chasing after Cameron Johnson, who returned Hopkins’ kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. The injury is to his plant leg. Hopkins did not practice last week […]")
![It is a question NFL coaches have been asked for decades, but one that rarely pertains to the Browns: Should Kevin Stefanski rest his starters for the regular season finale Jan. 7 in Cincinnati, or should he play them for at least part of the game so they don’t get rusty with the playoffs set to start the second weekend of January? The Browns are 11-5 and locked into the fifth seed in the AFC, which means the result of their game with the Bengals would not affect their playoff position. The Bengals have been eliminated from playoff contention. Stefanski […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/TNH-L-JetsBrowns-1229-31-1.jpg?w=132 "It is a question NFL coaches have been asked for decades, but one that rarely pertains to the Browns: Should Kevin Stefanski rest his starters for the regular season finale Jan. 7 in Cincinnati, or should he play them for at least part of the game so they don’t get rusty with the playoffs set to start the second weekend of January? The Browns are 11-5 and locked into the fifth seed in the AFC, which means the result of their game with the Bengals would not affect their playoff position. The Bengals have been eliminated from playoff contention. Stefanski […]")
![The 2023 calendar year witnessed numerous highs and lows for the Browns, Cavaliers and Guardians. It also witnessed the death of an icon that transcended the sport he dominated and the retirement of the winningest manager in the history of Cleveland baseball. But don’t close the book on 2023 just yet because the best story of the year is still being written. 1. Browns make playoffs despite injuries: The Browns’ march to the playoffs not only is the best thing that happened on the Cleveland sports scene in 2023; it has become such a feel-good story because of all the […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/TNH-L-BrownsJets-1229-40.jpg?w=54 "The 2023 calendar year witnessed numerous highs and lows for the Browns, Cavaliers and Guardians. It also witnessed the death of an icon that transcended the sport he dominated and the retirement of the winningest manager in the history of Cleveland baseball. But don’t close the book on 2023 just yet because the best story of the year is still being written. 1. Browns make playoffs despite injuries: The Browns’ march to the playoffs not only is the best thing that happened on the Cleveland sports scene in 2023; it has become such a feel-good story because of all the […]")
![Each week Browns beat writer Jeff Schudel will make his NFL picks against the Las Vegas spread, including predicting the outcome of the Browns’ game separately. Picks are in bold letters. Last week: 8-6. Overall: 112-98-8. Browns pick vs. spread 9-6-1 (includes game with Jets on Dec. 28). Dec. 31 Dolphins +3 at Ravens, 1 p.m. (WOIO) Patriots +13 at Bills, 1 p.m. Falcons +3 at Bears, 1 p.m. Titans +5 at Texans, 1 p.m. Raiders +3.5 at Colts, 1 p.m. Panthers +6.5 at Jaguars, 1 p.m. Rams at Giants +5.5, 1 p.m. Cardinals +10.5 at Eagles, 1 p.m. Saints […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/TNH-L-FBN-Browns-Jets3-1228-15-1.jpg?w=132 "Each week Browns beat writer Jeff Schudel will make his NFL picks against the Las Vegas spread, including predicting the outcome of the Browns’ game separately. Picks are in bold letters. Last week: 8-6. Overall: 112-98-8. Browns pick vs. spread 9-6-1 (includes game with Jets on Dec. 28). Dec. 31 Dolphins +3 at Ravens, 1 p.m. (WOIO) Patriots +13 at Bills, 1 p.m. Falcons +3 at Bears, 1 p.m. Titans +5 at Texans, 1 p.m. Raiders +3.5 at Colts, 1 p.m. Panthers +6.5 at Jaguars, 1 p.m. Rams at Giants +5.5, 1 p.m. Cardinals +10.5 at Eagles, 1 p.m. Saints […]")
![Joel Bitonio did not take long pondering his answer when asked which Browns playoff team is better — the 2020 team that finished 11-5 and advanced as a wild-card team, or the 2023 Browns team that is 11-5 with one game to play. “I think we’re a better team this time,” Bitonio said after the Browns beat the Jets, 37-20, on Dec. 28 to clinch a playoff spot. “I think we’re more well-rounded. Our defense is playing at a very high level and our special teams are up to the job and our offense is continuing to click.” Bitonio was […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/TNH-L-FBN-Browns-Jets3-1228-37-2.jpg?w=124 "Joel Bitonio did not take long pondering his answer when asked which Browns playoff team is better — the 2020 team that finished 11-5 and advanced as a wild-card team, or the 2023 Browns team that is 11-5 with one game to play. “I think we’re a better team this time,” Bitonio said after the Browns beat the Jets, 37-20, on Dec. 28 to clinch a playoff spot. “I think we’re more well-rounded. Our defense is playing at a very high level and our special teams are up to the job and our offense is continuing to click.” Bitonio was […]")