Cleveland Browns: 3 keys to victory against Cincinnati Bengals

3 keys to victory for the Cleveland Browns against the Cincinnati Bengals

The Cleveland Browns limp into Week 2 following a disappointing showing against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. Their offense couldn’t get into any sort of rhythm, and Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore offense tore through the injury-riddled Browns defense to the tune of 377 offensive yards in a 38-6 victory.

While the defensive issues for the Browns may have been somewhat expected, given the number of injuries on that side of the field, the offensive issues are far more worrisome for the Browns. Baker Mayfield never looked comfortable, often second-guessing his reads and getting himself and the rest of the offense in trouble.

Odell Beckham Jr. struggled as well, as he dropped a key third-down catch that could have potentially allowed the Browns to score a touchdown before the half to close the gap. Instead, the Ravens took over after an Austin Seibert missed field goal and scorched down the field to take a commanding 24-6 lead into halftime.

Thankfully, however, the Browns move on to a much less daunting opponent in the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals enter the Week 2 match-up coming off a heartbreaking 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Joe Burrow marched the Bengals down the field in the final minutes and after a touchdown in the final seconds was overturned by an offensive pass interference call on wide receiver A.J. Green, kicker Randy Bullock missed the game-tying field goal.

All-in-all, Joe Burrow played well enough for Cincinnati to win, and the Bengals won’t be an easy victory. There are a few things, however, the Browns can do to ensure themselves the victory. Here are three things the Cleveland Browns must do on Thursday Night Football against the Cincinnati Bengals to come out victorious and avoid falling to 0-2.