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Baltimore vs. Cleveland: What to look for from the Cleveland Browns week 1

By Josh Brown

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 22: Earl Thomas III #29 of the Baltimore Ravens attempts to tackle Kareem Hunt #27 of the Cleveland Browns during the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore defeated Cleveland 31-15. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 22: Earl Thomas III #29 of the Baltimore Ravens attempts to tackle Kareem Hunt #27 of the Cleveland Browns during the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore defeated Cleveland 31-15. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 22: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns hands the ball off to Nick Chubb #24 during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019, in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore defeated Cleveland 31-15. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Playcalling throughout the game

While the big question on many of the media’s and fan’s mind is who will call the plays, will coach Stefanski give up the playcalling to OC Alex Van Pelt or take it on himself? Regardless of the answer, this group must show that they can do more than the last group. Browns’ fans want to see more than a beautiful opening drive, then chaos.

After watching Freddie Kitchens last season, it would be nice to see some consistency within the gameplan. If Nick Chubb is plowing over guys, maybe don’t throw 11 consecutive pass plays? If the pass blocking is struggling, perhaps we don’t see 15-yard outs all game long? These are the things fans will be judging come Sunday.

Stefanski/Van Pelt must show they have taken control of this group and created a gameplan on offense that maximizes the talent they have been given and gives their players a chance in the end.

They need to make sure that Nick Chubb is allowed to get going on the ground against a tough Raven defense to soften them up for Baker Mayfield and his weapons. We need to see Kareem Hunt being moved around and exploiting weaknesses in that same defense.

Stefanski needs to find ways to get the ball into Odell Beckham Jr.’s and Jarvis Landry’s hands quickly and let them go to work. We need to see new tight end Austin Hooper making plays in the red zone. Most of all, we need to see the hope that this Cleveland Browns’ offensive brain trust can take this offense to the next level.

Update: Stefanski has said he will call plays, but it’s still important to keep an eye on how he handles this role and the input he gets from Alex Van Pelt.

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