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

Will the Browns be able to run the ball again?

The Browns must be able to throw the ball in order to win. Against the Colts two weeks ago, they rushed for 124 yards, which is certainly on the low side for this team. Against Pittsburgh, Cleveland put up just 75 ground yards. It’s hard to run the ball when you fall behind quickly, but the Browns were unable to generate any push against the Steelers front. The fact that the Browns have fallen flat on their faces against the two best teams they’ve faced thus far is concerning, to say the least.

Nick Chubb is on the mend, but as good as he is, he wouldn’t have been able to overcome the lack of blocking. Wyatt Teller would have made a difference, although one player, as dominant as Teller has been, can only do so much.

The Bengals have a poor defensive line, especially with D.J. Reader on injured reserve and both Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap having been phased out of the rotation (if anyone knows what the Bengals are doing personnel-wise, please speak up). Even if Teller can’t go, there is zero reason why the Browns should not dominate up front.

One would think Mayfield should be able to beat the Cincinnati secondary with his arm, but ideally, he doesn’t have to. As long as the Bengals don’t score 24 in the first half again, Cleveland should be able to execute its gameplan, and control the game on the ground.