Dolphins could be spark plug game for Cleveland Browns offense
The Dolphins should not be taken lightly, especially not by a team walking the playoff elimination tightrope like the Cleveland Browns. However, that doesn’t mean a team like Miami can’t be a springboard game for Cleveland’s offense.
The Cleveland Browns have been underwhelming on offense this season. Be it coaching, lack of effort, or endless penalties, the Dawg Pound has seen their squad’s most talented offensive unit since 1999 be almost completely squandered through ten games this season. If the Browns really want to make a playoff push through the second half of the season, they are in desperate need of a pick-me-up.
In Week 12, Cleveland’s opponent will be the Miami Dolphins. While the Dolphins should not be taken lightly, they could be exactly what the Browns need going into the final stretch of the season.
Looking at the matchup, both teams have won two of their last three, with the Browns on a two-game winning streak. The Dolphins could be a serious spark plug for Cleveland’s struggling offensive unit.
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Everything the Browns do well matches up perfectly with everything the Dolphins have struggled with this season. Under rookie head coach Brian Flores, the Dolphins have had the second-worst rushing defense in the league.
Allowing 148.3 yards on the ground, Miami could be in for a long day against Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, the former of which has already rushed for over 1,000 yards this season. But the advantages for Cleveland don’t just stop with the run game.
Cleveland’s offensive line has been something of a point of contention among fans this season. While the line play has been rough through the first half of the season, this could partially be attributed to the long-developing routes from Freddie Kitchens, and quarterback Baker Mayfield‘s early-season tendencies to hold onto the ball. Fortunately for Cleveland, Miami’s defensive line has been nothing short of a total nonfactor this season.
Collecting only 13 sacks on the season as a whole, Miami has been downright awful in pass-rushing this season. Their pressure numbers have been just about worst in the league as a whole, as they are tied at the bottom with the Cincinnati Bengals.
This is not to say that the Browns should be trying to dial up 40-yard passes each and every play, but they should have a bit more time to let plays develop.
Again, the Miami Dolphins are not to be toyed with. Taking down the New York Jets and a Jacoby Brissett-less Indianapolis Colts squad this season, Brian Flores still has them playing hard at 2-8.
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But, with that defense giving up 30.5 points per game, the Browns should certainly be able to take advantage. The matchup is right there for the taking. Hopefully, Freddie Kitchens can strike a good game plan while the iron is hot.