The Browns are back in action tonight, aiming to snap a four-game losing streak. But it won't be easy against a surging Bengals team. They've won four of their last five games. Joe Burrow is doing Joe Burrow things, the Cincinnati defense is looking stout, especially in the second half where they have yet to give up a touchdown all season. And the Browns are dealing with a rash of injuries. But as crazy as this probably sounds, Cleveland has a chance to conjure up some Halloween magic, and come out of this one with a BIG win. But in order to do that, they'll need to take care of business in several areas of the game. Let's take a look at this week's Keys to Victory!
Run the ball!
I know this probably sounds like a broken record by now. But the Browns have failed to do this for several weeks this season. Every time they've failed to get Nick Chubb the ball at least 25 times, or rush it 35+ times as a team? They've lost. That's not coincidence either. For as vanilla and straightforward as this part of the game plan is, this is simply who the Browns are. They're a run-heavy, run-first offense. That's why it infuriates me to absolutely no end when Kevin Stefanski doesn't get Nick Chubb the ball as much as he should. No disrespect to Paul DePodesta on this one, but screw the analytical approach. Run the ball early to set up second and manageable and third and manageable, as well as to open up the play action pass. There's no reason to be pass-happy until Deshaun Watson gets back. And even then, I still don't like it. Nick Chubb is leading the league in both yards (740) and rushing touchdowns (8). USE HIM WHEN IT MATTERS MOST, FOR GOD'S SAKE!
If the Browns get the run game going, that will keep the Bengals defense honest, and possibly allow for big plays from a number of wide receivers led by Amari Cooper, and including Donovan Peoples-Jones, rookie David Bell, and others. But the potential of this offense isn't truly unlocked unless the run game is rolling.
Get after Joe Burrow
There's absolutely no doubt about it. Joe Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks in the league right now. He's supremely talented, cool under pressure for the most part, and a genuinely good guy. But that doesn't mean I don't want to see Myles Garrett and the rest of the Browns defense kick his butt tonight!
But for as great as he has been over his still-young career, Burrow has surprisingly not beaten the Browns yet. He's 0-3 all-time against Cleveland, has been sacked a dozen times over three games, and thrown three interceptions. The last time Burrow played the Browns? Cleveland went down to Cincinnati and thumped the Bengals 41-16! Denzel Ward opened the game with a pick six, and the Browns rode the gravy train on biscuit wheels all the way to a massive win at Paul Brown Stadium! And I had to crack a grin at the legion of barking Browns fans that had traveled all the way from the shores of Lake Erie! I absolutely loved that game!
Cleveland has had Joe Burrow's number early on. And I think that starts up front. If the pass rush gets going, they absolutely have to finish plays off though. I have absolutely no faith in the secondary when they're completely healthy, to stop Burrow or this lethal bunch of Bengals receivers if plays are extended. So I have even less faith when all these players are either out or questionable: CB Denzel Ward (out), CB Greg Newsome (questionable), CB Greedy Williams (questionable). Not to mention LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is questionable too. These guys always seem to be the walking wounded.
The Browns defensive line has to take over this game. They probably need to register at least two sacks, and force a turnover somewhere. If the pass rush is neutralized? The Browns don't win. Plain and simple. There's no reliable second level to this defense right now, unfortunately thanks to all these injuries.
Attention Kevin Stefanski: Don't overthink it!
I know it's easy to point fingers at the head coach after a loss. But I truly believe at least 2-3 of the Browns losses this season have happened due to poor coaching or game management. There have been so many of these late-game coaching blunders that they're all starting to blur together. Last week's series of events to end the game at Baltimore still has me irked. The Browns were down three with 2:30 left, and had one timeout to burn. It was 3rd and 2 at the Ravens 40. Just barely inside of Cade York's range. Does Kevin Stefanski run Nick Chubb to get the first down, or heavily lean on him to drain the clock and either tie the game or win it with almost no time left? Nope. He takes a shot downfield, offensive pass interference is called on Amari Cooper, and that's basically the game.
If the Browns had stuck to leaning on the running game to wrap things up last week, they at least would have tied the game, if not had a chance to win it with a favorable receiver matchup for a potential touchdown. And best of all? If they had managed this right, they would've given Lamar Jackson and a dangerous Ravens offense no time to come back and burn them in regulation. But for whatever reason, Kevin Stefanski tripped over himself yet again. I'm all for taking shots, stretching a defense, and surprising them with haymakers when the opportunities present themselves. But the end of the game last week wasn't the time for it. Good running teams like the Browns ride their workhorse running backs to victory when they can. And Stefanski missed a prime opportunity to do just that against the Ravens last week.
Kevin Stefanski's seat is getting hotter with every loss. Winning tonight thanks to a smartly coached, common-sense game, would go a long way toward cooling things down for him. That means: Playing to the team's strengths (running game, big plays from the play action pass), knowing when to go for it and when to kick a field goal, or punt and play the field position game, and having the Browns disciplined and playing a clean game with few or no penalties or turnovers. If Kevin Stefanski can outcoach Zac Taylor tonight, the Browns likely have a fighting chance to come away with a win here.
It's a Halloween version of the Battle of Ohio. Will the Browns get tricked again and drop to 2-6? Or will they come away with a massive treat, and get themselves back on track with a desperately needed win? Find out tonight at 8:15 PM on ESPN! GO BROWNS
Sources: WKYC.com, Dawgs By Nature, Cleveland Plain Dealer, cbssports.com,
Picture Credit: clutchpoints.com
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