Biggest questions Browns need to answer vs. Buffalo
The Cleveland Browns have raised more questions this season after supposedly having all of the answers during the offseason. If they’re to win against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, they have some serious questions to answer.
Desperately needing a win this week, the Cleveland Browns are set to host the Buffalo Bills. Here, we look at the three biggest questions they need to answer in this Week 10 matchup with the 6-2 franchise from Western New York.
1. Can the Browns win against a top 10 defense?
According to PFF (Subscription Required), the Browns have played against six top 10 defenses this season. The Patriots are first, Denver Broncos are third, Los Angeles Rams are fourth, San Francisco 49ers are fifth, Tennessee Titans are seventh, and the Bills are currently ranked 10th.
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Admittedly I didn’t realize the Browns were playing teams with such stout defenses, however, is this a major reason for their downfall so far this season?
Overall last season, the Browns had the 13th ranked offense according to PFF. Adding Odell Beckham Jr should have raised that rating by default, right?
This offense should have been better prepared for this season, we all agree there, but having faced six teams in the top ten defensively so far this season, does that not play a big factor into the record of the Browns?
2. Will Baker Mayfield connect more with OBJ this week?
When OBJ or Jarvis Landry have games with over 100 yards receiving this season, the team wins, or come close to winning. I feel OBJ will be targeted the same as any other week but that will be more significant due to Kareem Hunt will be playing this week.
The Cleveland Browns need to focus on getting the ball to their playmakers instead of trying to force Antonio Callaway the ball when he clearly should be behind Rashard Higgins on the depth chart. OBJ should be getting the Callaway targets.
OBJ needs to have 10 targets per game in order to be effective. When OBJ has 10 or more targets, he is a game-changer.
3. Can the offensive line block against an above-average pass rush?
They will struggle in the current offensive scheme. Freddie needs to remove his head from his backside and run some play-action. Short, quick passes will keep drives going.
The run game should be incredible to watch with two top-five running backs in the NFL in the Cleveland Browns backfield.
If Chubb and Hunt don’t have 15-20 touches each, Freddie should be ashamed. Play action should open up and the deep ball should be a thing of beauty. The offensive line will not hold back this pass rush without help coming in the form of the play-action pass.