Cleveland Browns Week 2 Predictions: Looking to stay undefeated
By Randy Gurzi
Writer: Mike Lukas
Summary: Here’s some good news, Browns fans: the 0-1 New Orleans Saints have gone 0-2 four out of the last five seasons.
The Browns, fresh off their sister-kissing tie with the Steelers, plan to give the Saints yet another 0-2 start in Week 2.
Of course, the Browns defense needs to show up more than they did in Week 1 when they allowed the Steelers (with their backup running back) to move the ball 472 total yards, ranked 29th in the league. The Browns D did cause an impressive six Steelers turnovers and held Big Ben to only one passing touchdown while sacking him four times.
Can they bring the same pain to Drew Brees, another pocket passer who threw 3 touchdowns against the Buccaneers in Week 1 for 439 yards and zero picks while getting sacked only once. Browns head coach Hue Jackson, in a peculiar attempt to motivate, called Brees one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks.
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Defensive end Myles Garrett must continue to impress – in Week 1, he had 5 tackles, an assist, 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Rookie cornerback Denzel Ward, who had two interceptions last week, has to help shut down Saints receivers Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn Jr., who both had a touchdown and combined for 248 total passing yards between them last week. The Browns D must also put a stop to the Saints’ dual-threat running back Alvin Kamara, who ran for 2 touchdowns and caught a pass for another last week.
But the Browns defense can’t beat the Saints alone – quarterback Tyrod Taylor must improve.
Taylor passed for only 150 yards (27th in the league) against the Steelers and at times looked like he preferred to throw it safely out of bounds instead of making a game-breaking throw. Some Browns fans with chronic amnesia have begun to call for his rookie backup Baker Mayfield to take over as starter. Truth is Taylor better find the balance between ball security and making exciting plays happen, or he’s going to find himself clip-boarding on the sidelines watching the talented new kid take chances to win.
Offensive coordinator Todd Haley has to create more opportunities for Josh Gordon, who only managed to catch one ball for 17 yards. The Saints defense allowed 417 passing yards against the Buccaneers last week, so this game would be a great time for Gordon to rediscover his flash.
The Browns three-headed rushing monster has to continue to wreak havoc – the Hyde/Johnson/Chubb beast combined for 177 total running yards, second best in the NFL only to the Redskins.
Browns players are desperate to replace the awkward taste of that Week 1 tie with the sweetness of a win. The Saints will be just fine going 0-2. They always are.
Final score: Browns 34, Saints 31