Cleveland Browns: 3 Matchups to watch vs. Cardinals

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 08: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns calls a first half play in the huddle while playing the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 08: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns calls a first half play in the huddle while playing the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 08: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals scrambles with the football against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals 23-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 08: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals scrambles with the football against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals 23-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

1. Kyler Murray vs. Browns secondary

The most recent No. 1 overall pick looked every bit of the part early in the season and the consensus was that the Cardinals weren’t going to be very good but he was going to show promise.

More from Dawg Pound Daily

The narrative has changed the past several weeks, Murray has really struggled behind a bad offensive and hasn’t had, any reliable targets. He hasn’t passed for 200 yards in his last three games.

The Browns defense has been very good as of lately and the secondary is improving despite losing players like Morgan Burnett and Damarious Randall. They have seen the emergence of players like Juston Burris and Sheldrick Redwine.

Their pair of young cornerbacks, Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams, are playing better and that has a lot to do with them getting healthy. Ward had a pick-six against the Bengals last week to cement that he was back to his pro bowl form.

Murray doesn’t throw a lot of interceptions, just nine so far this year, but he will have a hard time finding someone to get the ball too and he won’t have all day in the pocket. The Browns have 37 sacks this year and have still continued to pressure despite losing Myles Garrett.

Pressure in the pocket and tight coverage on the back end could make it a long day for the rookie quarterback as the Cleveland defense tries to continue to lead this team.