Shannon Sharpe predicts AFC championship spot for Cleveland

Shannon Sharpe, Hall of Fame tight end and co-host of ESPN's First Take, has made a big prediction for the Cleveland Browns and the 2024 NFL playoffs.

The former Denver Bronco used its platform to explain why he believes Cleveland has one of the most talented rosters in the NFL and why Deshaun Watson is the man to bring it all together:

“I only need Deshaun Watson to be 85 to 90 percent of what he once was, and I like the Cleveland Browns.”

Shannon Sharpe predicts that the Cleveland #Brown and the Kansas City #bosses will play the AFC Championship game:

“I only need Deshaun Watson to be 85-90% of what he once was. I like the Cleveland Browns and the Chiefs.”

(📽️: @ErsteTake @ShannonSharpe) pic.twitter.com/NpCMJje61T

— Amir (@AmirReza7_) 2 September 2024

Sharpe has previously stated that Cleveland's roster, when healthy, is among the best in the NFL. Most of last year's defense is back and hopes to make an even bigger impact than it did last season. Sharpe's argument about Watson's quarterback play is also widely shared.

When you see how the Browns were able to beat the 49ers last year with several replacement players on offense, you wonder how far the team could have gone if Watson had been healthy. That's a question that Shannon Sharpe is also wondering.

The Browns look to start their playoff run when they host the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday at their newly named stadium, Huntington Bank Field.