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) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 24: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates with Jarvis Landry #80 of the Cleveland Browns after Landry caught a 7-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 24: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates with Jarvis Landry #80 of the Cleveland Browns after Landry caught a 7-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

2.Browns Receivers vs. Cardinals Secondary

Cleveland’s passing attack has been underwhelming this season especially after they acquired a superstar wide receiver in the offseason. They have faced some tough defenses but they should be better than they have been.

Part of it is the offensive line which can’t give Baker Mayfield time to throw and Mayfield has been inaccurate, throwing 16 interceptions and just 15 touchdowns. The receivers can’t escape blame either.

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Jarvis Landry has been the only one to get open consistently and they haven’t been able to find a reliable third receiver all year. Damion Ratley, KhaDarel Hodge, and Rashard Higgins all haven’t performed in that role.

With all of that being said this is the week for this receiving core to explode because the Cardinals have the worst pass defense in the NFL. Their secondary is bad and their leader in interceptions is Jordan Hicks who plays linebacker.

Patrick Peterson is the only player that might scare and he has not been at his normal standard today. He was suspended for the early part of the season and hasn’t looked the same since. The other cornerback position has been filled by Byron Murphy a rookie from Washington who looks to be worth keeping around.

Safety Budda Baker has been in run support but his pass coverage has been some of the worst in the league. The other safety position has been a revolving door between Jalen Thompson, D.J. Swearinger, and Deionte Thompson.

None of those players strike fear into Browns’ fans hearts and it shouldn’t scare the receivers either. If Cleveland can’t perform against this pass defense they simply can’t get it done.