These matchups could be the difference for the Cleveland Browns in Week 3
While there is no doubt that Cleveland Browns fans are on top of the world right now, it is time to get back to business. And business this week is to step onto your home field and beat a team that has a very strong pass rush and talented skilled players on offense in the Washington Football Team.
There is plenty of reason for excitement for fans in Cleveland, but we must remember it’s still early. And while it does feel better now that the Los Angeles Chargers (who the Bengals should have beaten in Week 1) competed with the Kansas City Chiefs, paper matchups only lead to disappointment. Winning in the NFL is tough against anyone, so a win Thursday night vs. the Bengals is a huge step in the right direction no matter what.
The Browns offense looked like the 2018 offense when Baker Mayfield was making quick, decisive throws and threaded the needle on coverage. On top of that, the offensive line was opening huge holes for Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. All fans want to see that duplicated once again vs. Washington. Once can be a fluke, but twice is starting to sit a pattern. And what the Browns need more than anything is a pattern of a strong offensive showing every week.
The jury is still out on Joe Woods and his defense. The squad has given up a ton of passing yards to both the Ravens and Bengals but did tighten up when needed the most. Injuries have been devastating, as the Browns were without four starters on Thursday night (five if you include rookie safety Grant Delpit who won’t return this year) and ended up losing another in Adrian Clayborn.
The extended time off should give the team time to get healthy, and there is hope that Mack Wilson, Greedy Williams, and Olivier Vernon will return to the starting lineup. After so many passing yards over the middle, the return of Wilson will be welcomed with open arms.
Now that the Browns are on to Washington, let’s dive into five key matchups to watch. If the Browns can win more than half of these, look for them to come away with a second straight win.
5. Woods vs. Turner
Washington offensive coordinator Scott Turner has struggled to put up points and yards early in the 2020 season. Through two games the team has 401 passing yards, 197 rushing yards, but the team has yet to turn the football over.
Joe Woods and the Browns defense hasn’t been stellar either. The squad has given up 734 total yards in two games and is allowing teams to convert on third down 48 percent of the time. Not to mention the Bengals went five-for-five on fourth down conversions last week.
So far, the defense hasn’t given up huge chunk plays, it has been methodical drives the chew time off the clock which can be more painful than a 60-yard bomb. What Woods needs to improve on most is third and short. To this point, a team can send a running back or tight end over the middle and get eight yards every play if they would like. The Bengals game planned that hard and look for Turner and Washington to do the same.
While the Browns certainly have a dominant pass rush, all the quick passes have basically eliminated the threat. Look for Woods to tighten up coverage and trust the rush will get there. With Williams and Kevin Johnson likely available this week, Woods will have much more confidence in his man to man coverage ability.
Additionally, I think you will also see Woods turn up the heat. Through two games the Browns haven’t blitzed all too often. Woods is known as a guy who brings the heat, so with his roster finally getting healthy, you may finally see a full playbook on Sunday.
4. Garrett vs. Moses
Perhaps the biggest matchup each Sunday for the Browns is who their star defensive end Myles Garrett will be lining up against. Garrett has proven to be a dominant force rushing the passer and can be a huge disruption behind the line of scrimmage on running plays as well. This week Morgan Moses of The Washington Football Team draws the short straw of blocking Garrett on most downs.
The statistics haven’t been as strong through two weeks as some may expect for Garrett. Through two weeks he only has four tackles and one sack. What fans must remember is, it isn’t always about what’s on the stat line that matters most. What’s important to remember is Garrett is still dominating at his position. He has five quarterback hurries as well as two quarterback knockdowns and eight pressures.
The moral of the story, Garrett may not be getting sacks, but he is making the opposing quarterback uncomfortable almost every single play. But you can expect the numbers to show up this week. Right tackle Moses has been with the Redskins since 2014 and has started every game since 2015. However, he has been marked as a “serviceable” tackle.
Serviceable means doing just enough to not get fired, which is not a good recipe for going against Garrett. Because of this Moses will likely receive a lot of help from tight ends and running backs but look for Garrett to take advantage when he gets one on one opportunities. With a young quarterback who has struggled at times in Washington, look for Garrett to dominate this matchup and come away with two sacks.
3. Browns linebackers vs. running backs
One thing that has been constant for the Browns so far is poor linebacker play. The team was already hit hard with the injury to Mack Wilson, faced another set back with rookie Jacob Phillips getting hurt in the first half of Baltimore.
Free-agent B.J. Goodson has been okay vs. the run, but the team knew he was not meant to be on the field during passing downs. Second-year linebacker Sion Takitaki has been just okay as well. He has made a few plays, but still struggles with angles and is not great in coverage.
Through two games, the good news is the Browns have only given up 179 rushing yards. However, the Ravens and Bengals had so much success through the air, they never really needed to set the tone with a running game. But without a doubt, the improvement needs to be in the pass defense. Whether it’s getting to their drops in zone coverage or sticking tight to a running back coming out of the backfield.
The defense will receive a huge lift this week if Wilson is able to return. He was excellent in coverage last season and appears to be the vocal leader of the unit. Even if Wilson isn’t 100 percent healthy, he should pick up the play of others just with his presence.
As mentioned above, a full playbook with exotic blitzes will also help the unit make negative plays and gather some momentum. The good news for the Browns is Antonio Gibson and Peyton Barber haven’t been huge factors catching or running the ball so far this season. Look for this to be a week for the Browns linebackers to stand up to the challenge and prove doubters wrong.
2. Offensive tackles vs. defensive ends
While the Browns had to go without Jack Conklin last week vs. the Bengals, both rookie Jedrick Wills and backup Chris Hubbard played extremely well. The Bengals certainly don’t have a top tier pass rush but giving up zero sacks vs. any team in the NFL is a huge win.
This week will likely be the team’s biggest challenge with rookie Chase Young (pick No. 2 overall) and Montez Sweat coming off the edge, not to mention Ryan Kerrigan who will rotate throughout the game. Through only two weeks, the Washington Football Team has already racked up 11 sacks, which leads the NFL.
While Wills showed some signs of being a rookie early in training camp scrimmages, offensive line coach Bill Callahan has had him ready to play in the regular season. He has transitioned well from right to left tackle and looks dominant in both run and pass blocking. Wills will have to be extremely focused this week, but a strong game plan will also help him in protection.
Conklin came to Cleveland to redeem himself. After earning All-Pro honors as a rookie, he lost his starting job in Tennessee. In Week 1 Conklin was great, but an injury once again took him out of action in Week 2. This was a concern coming into the season, but hopefully, he will be able to go full speed on Sunday. Luckily, Hubbard played extremely well and will be a serviceable backup if needed.
Look for the Browns to run the ball early and often to keep these rushers from pinning their ears back. The worst thing that could happen is the Browns fall behind early and are forced to throw the ball to catch up. Third and long will require chips on the edges, or it could be a long day for Mayfield.
Callahan has already proved his greatness in two weeks with the team. Expect him to have a masterful game plan and keep Mayfield protected. Look for Washington to get one or two sacks, but nowhere near the 5.5 per game, they are currently averaging.
1. Mayfield vs. Haskins
The quarterback matchup won’t be as magnified as last week, but unfortunately, after a sluggish year in 2019, Baker Mayfield’s performance will be looked at through a magnifying glass each week. Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins was the 15th pick in the 2019 draft and has started his career with a 3-6 record.
Although Mayfield has had the better start to careers with a 13-18 record, both are still out to prove they are worthy of the first-round pick. Mayfield had a tremendous showing in Week 2 after a disappointing Week 1. But now is his time to show some consistency and break his eight-game streak of throwing an interception.
There’s no doubt that Mayfield has better weapons with Nick Chubb, Odell Beckham, Austin Hooper, and Jarvis Landry, but it’s time to not only talk the talk but walk the walk. Haskins cast consists of Antonio Gibson, Terry McLaurin, Steven Sims, Jr., and Logan Thomas — weapons some fans have never heard of.
Let’s hope week two was a sign of things to come, and the extra week of practice is what was needed for the Stefanski system and Mayfield to mesh. A strong run game should favor Mayfield in this matchup, not to mention having Garrett chasing Haskins around all game.
Look for this to be a major statement game for Mayfield. Yes, it’s a win vs. a team that is likely in the bottom half of the NFL, but the Browns didn’t make the schedule, and winning in the NFL is tough.
Expect Haskins to be chased around all day and the Browns defense to finally make a statement that they are a playoff-caliber unit. A big Sunday in Cleveland as the Browns head to Dallas 2-1.