Why can’t the Buccaneers be like the Cleveland Browns?

Analytics, Analytics, Analytics, Analytics

Why are the Browns in a better position than the Bucs? It’s not because of their record. Cleveland has played a softer schedule than the Bucs, and the record is not everything. The difference between an awful 6-10 team and a hopeful 9-3 team all comes down to numbers.

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The Cleveland Browns may have been the most significant offseason winners last season, and it had very little to do with draft picks and players. The Browns hired an analytics-savvy head coach and GM, and the rest is history.

Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski are easily a top-five coach-GM pair in the NFL due to their similar way of approaching the game. The Browns’ leadership has been consistent since this regime took over, and the difference has been night and day.

The Browns have put on a masterclass on the offensive side of the football this season with Baker Mayfield at quarterback and numerous injuries to the offensive stars. Odell Beckham Jr. and Nick Chubb went down with injuries early on, and the Browns were able to make up for the disparity of talent with numbers.

The Browns have created an offense that has been heavy in play-action and pre-snap motion which has facilitated one of the most balanced units in the league that is extremely difficult to plan for.

The Buccaneers clearly are not making any administrative changes right now, but a move like this would help set the team up for the future.