Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 3 X-Factors in Week 7

Three X-Factors for the Browns to beat the Bengals this week

The Cleveland Browns have now played two elite teams this season, and have failed to show up both times. A 38-7 thrashing by the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6 is not what this team needed, but the sky is not falling, and the Browns have a great opportunity to get back on track this week with a rematch against the Cincinnati Bengals, whom the Browns dismantled on Thursday Night Football in Week2 in a game that was never as close as the final 35-30 score may indicate.

Cleveland may have been trounced by the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, but they are still 4-2, with a legitimate chance to make the playoffs (yes, the playoffs). A 5-2 record heading into Week 8 would be fantastic, and while the Bengals are better than their 2-14 2019 squad, they’re still a bottom-feeder.

Cincy is 1-4-1 coming off a loss to the Indianapolis Colts, in a game that looked like a breakout for the Bengals. Cincinnati scored 24 in the first half, put up three more in the third quarter, and lost 27-31. Even without running back Nick Chubb, and perhaps some other key pieces, the Browns should win this game. The talent difference between the two squads is stark, and Zac Taylor has yet to show much as a head coach for Cincy.

Here are three X-Factors that could decided whether or not the Browns sweep the season series with their Kentucky – I mean, Ohio – brethren.