The Cleveland Browns have been at the bottom of the NFL since anyone can remember, having just two winning seasons in the last 20 years, going 9-7 in 2002 and 10-6 in 2007. Some argue that the team’s most memorable accomplishment in the last 20 years is going 0-16 a year ago. Fans celebrated this by hosting an 0-16 parade after the season hoping to lighten the mood, but in the end, the Browns still didn’t win a game last season.

Despite going 0-16, the Browns were able to receive something positive in return, the number one pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. With the first pick, the Browns selected the Heisman winning quarterback from Oklahoma, Baker Mayfield.

Although the Browns drafted who they thought would be their new franchise quarterback, Tyrod Taylor started the season opener against the Steelers. Taylor finished a miserable 15-40 with one touchdown and an interception along with a 51.8 QB rating. Despite Taylor’s poor performance, the Browns were able to snap a losing streak dating back to December, 2016 as they tied with Pittsburgh after a missed game-winning field goal by Browns kicker, Zane Gonzalez.

The following week was another disappointing outing for the Browns as they fell to the Saints due to two missed field goals by Gonzalez once again. Shortly after the loss, Gonzalez was no longer on the roster.

Week three had a different feel for the Browns as they were squared up against the Jets, a matchup many thought the Browns could win. To start the game, Taylor threw 4-14 with another lackluster QB rating of 39.6. At this point, the Browns made a decision that could possibly change their franchise as Baker Mayfield took the field. Mayfield was 17-23 for 200 yards and finished with a QB rating of 100.1 leading Cleveland to their first win in almost two years.  

The future for the Browns is bright after a strong first impression from Baker Mayfield. Alongside the addition of the new quarterback is running back Carlos Hyde. Hyde played a prominent role in the team’s last win, rushing for nearly 100 yards and two touchdowns.

The new-look Browns will face the 0-3 Raiders this Sunday and hope to win two games in a row for the first time since 2014. The 2018 season is looking bright so far for the Browns as they have finally found a franchise quarterback.

Baker Mayfield has a lot of weight on his shoulders as of now. An entire city is expecting him to bring home a win this weekend against the winless Raiders Sunday at 3:00 pm. Will the Browns be able to obtain a winning record for the first time in four years?