Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

Cleveland Browns: 3 X-factors vs. Cincinatti Bengals

By Justice Sunderland

BEREA, OHIO - AUGUST 16: B.J. Goodson #93 of the Cleveland Browns works out during training camp on August 16, 2020 at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
BEREA, OHIO - AUGUST 16: B.J. Goodson #93 of the Cleveland Browns works out during training camp on August 16, 2020 at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Cleveland Browns
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 22: Joel Bitonio #75 of the Cleveland Browns looks to make a block 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) /

3. Joel Bitonio, G

Overall, the Cleveland offensive line was pretty solid in Week 1 and they were much improved from last season. The Browns averaged five yards per carry and they only gave up pressure when the Ravens decided to blitz.

They will need to repeat that performance this week against a bad defense. They can’t fall behind early and abandon the running game. Offensive lineman love run blocking downhill and can build their confidence in pass blocking.

The Browns best offensive lineman is likely guard Joel Bitonio and his play sets the tone for the rest of the unit. They struggled against the blitz last week but not many teams blitz as much or as good as the Ravens.

Cincinnati has a bad rush defense so that is where the Browns attack should start, specifically in between the tackles behind Bitonio, center J.C. Tretter and guard Wyatt Teller. With such a dynamic duo at running back Cleveland should have more than the 28 rushing attempts they had last week.

Cincinatti gave up 155 yards rushing to the Chargers who aren’t nearly as talented as Cleveland in the backfield. Expect to see Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt running through some big holes Thursday night.

Home/Browns News