Cleveland Browns blueprint to beating the Chicago Bears in week 3
By Greg Newland
![Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (56) celebrates with the defense after intercepting a pass thrown by Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns 11](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F16788095-1-850x560-14fbfe204e9df835b33610b7b7a0d8b8af8506160e753a0eac7ea8b4e207fdbe.jpg "Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (56) celebrates with the defense after intercepting a pass thrown by Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns 11")
Cleveland Browns Blueprint No. 2: No turnovers
Having zero turnovers is likely in the blueprint every single week to win a game, but the Cleveland Browns have been uncharacteristically sloppy the first two games of the season. With a coach as meticulous as Stefanski, you know he is driving it home all week to clean up the mistakes.
A Chubb fumble and Mayfield interception in Week 1 sealed their fate, as well as a Jamie Gillan botched snap that doesn’t technically count as a turnover. The Browns followed up in Week 2 with another fumble by Donovan Peoples-Jones and another interception at the fault of Anthony Schwartz cutting a route short.
No turnovers in Week 3 will be a tough ask because of the pressure the Bears will attempt to get on Mayfield, and the athleticism of their linebackers and safeties flying to the ball. Mayfield must be patient and can’t force anything.
Receivers and running backs will also need to take extra care of the football. Don’t think the Bears haven’t watched the film and seen guys put the ball on the ground. They will be punching and clawing every chance they can to strip away the football.
This is a week where the offense needs to worry about scoring 21-28 points and letting their defense get a few stops. Don’t give the Bears struggling offense a short field and get any momentum, which will put pressure on the Browns offense to score every time they have the ball.