Madden 22: Our 2021 NFL season sim results in some wild predictions

Cleveland Browns

10-7, 2nd place in AFC North (No. 5 seed in AFC)

The Cleveland Browns ended their franchise record and league-high 18-year playoff drought last year. It was the first time they had made it to the playoffs since 2002. And they even beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card game, marking their first playoff win since 1994. Their Super Bowl dream ended the very next week against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round, so now the Browns will look to build on that success. Madden predicts a slightly better finish for the Browns, coming in second in the AFC North and the No. 5 seed in the playoffs.

The jury is still out on Baker Mayfield as a starting quarterback. Does he have what it takes to actually take the Browns to the Super Bowl? Or is he only good enough to get them to the playoffs? Well, if the Madden sim is correct, Mayfield is due for a breakout season.

Madden predicts Mayfield will throw for 4,578 yards and a whopping 46 touchdowns to just five interceptions. Seriously, those are Aaron Rodgers-esque numbers. Mayfield’s touchdown total is second to only one other quarterback in the league, and you can probably guess who that is.

Of course, it helps when you’ve got a back like Nick Chubb taking some of the pressure off. Chubb is predicted to rush for 1,554 yards and 19 touchdowns. Those are second in the league in each respective category.

Jarvis Landry, who has been relatively quiet during his tenure with the Browns, looks to put up career numbers. Madden projects 110 receptions for 1,477 yards and a league-leading 21 touchdown receptions.

Looking at these stats, I’m honestly surprised the Browns finish second in the division. But as long as they make the playoffs, they’ve got a chance — even as a No. 5 seed.