Cleveland Browns: Three X-factors for Week 3 vs. Washington

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CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 17: Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills #71 of the Cleveland Browns runs onto the field during player introductions prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 17, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bengals 35-30. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

X-factor No. 2: Browns offensive line

The second X-factor for the Cleveland Browns in their matchup with the Washington Football Team is their offensive line. While the team with no name has a horrible offensive line, their defensive line is a whole different beast.

On a line that’s covered with former first-round picks, including 2020 first-round pick Chase Young, Washington is near the top of the league in sacks and pass rush winning percentage. In fact, Washington’s defense is the top graded overall unit in the unit according to PFF at 69.1/100.

Chase Young has come in and shown exactly why he was the first overall pick in the draft this year, accumulating 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble in just two career starts. His dominant start has him ranked as the highest-rated rookie defender in the NFL on PFF at 81.1.

Highest-graded rookie defenders through Week 2:

1. Chase Young - 81.1
2. Jaylon Johnson - 80.3
3. CJ Henderson - 80.3
4. Jordan Elliott - 78.2
5. Antoine Winfield Jr. - 77.4 pic.twitter.com/m8RsJKLDom
— PFF (@PFF) September 22, 2020

The Browns offensive line has looked impressive this year but also shown signs of weakness at times. Rookie Jedrick Wills has shown he has a bright future at left tackle, and the remaining moves to fill the holes on the line this offseason have panned out well for the Browns.

In order to have a successful game plan and come away with a victory Sunday, the Browns offensive line will need to be one of the brightest spots on the field. They can’t allow the wrecking balls on the Washington defensive front to wreak havoc and disrupt the script that Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt have installed.

If Cleveland can stay ahead of the chains and slow down the great defensive line of the Football Team, then they should walk away with their first winning record since 2014. That’s the kind of progress that’s been promised to the fans for the last few years, and progress that would be well received by faithful fans everywhere.

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