The Cleveland Browns face the Bears in Week 3 and here are 3 matchups to watch for this Sunday, including watching Justin Fields for the first time.
Are the Cleveland Browns the center of the universe? It seems on some days that they are. This week we’ve been debating the Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods and if he’s on the hot seat?
We’ve also been enthralled in conversation on if Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. would be starting for the first time on Sunday against the Chicago Bears after being away from the field for almost a year. And we’re only two weeks into the NFL season. What could possibly happen over the next 15 weeks?
A lot!
So the Browns having the Chicago Bears coming to First Energy Stadium to battle it out to see who can get a bit more momentum moving forward. Both teams are 1-1. Both teams won last Sunday. The Browns had a somewhat close game against the Houston Texans but prevailed 31-21 in Cleveland’s home opener. The Bears pretty much dominated the Cincinnati Bengals for most of their game and ended up hanging on 20-17.
This week, we’re adding more intrigue to the matchup as the Bears plan on starting rookie quarterback sensation Justin Fields and former Ohio State Buckeye. The Browns plan on the return of Beckham and that’s taking up a lot of the chatter in the last week.
What could obviously go wrong? You know after this game folks will be talking for weeks. With the debate in Cleveland this week, amongst fans, was centered on defensive coordinator Woods and if he knows what he’s doing? So, it’s a bit of a mystery of how Fields and the Bears will do against the Browns Sunday.
If Chicago sacks the quarterback five times and intercepts him three times, as they did against the Bengals, then the Browns could be in for a fight. For Cleveland to prevail Sunday, some of those star athletes on both sides of the ball, from defensive end Myles Garrett to offensive stars like running back Nick Chubb need to deliver.
Justin Fields versus the Cleveland Browns defense
Much has been made these last two weeks about the Browns defense and if it can stand the test of time? The jury is still out. After blowing a lead in Kansas City two weeks ago the defense seemed, at times, still confused as they hung on against the Houston Texans last week.
Now, enters the Chicago Bears and more importantly a mobile quarterback in rookie Justin Fields. This matchup though reeks of an upset and helping Fields establish him as a legit NFL star. Come on, can’t you sense that?
In two games the Browns have faced two mobile quarterbacks in Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Houston Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor. In both games, the Cleveland defense struggled to get to the quarterback and allowed the quarterback to move freely in the pocket and keep the Browns secondary in flux.
To the Browns advantage should be that Bears rookie quarterback Fields isn’t a savvy veteran. You’d think that would be the difference, but I don’t have enough trust in defensive coordinator Joe Woods.
I’m definitely worried about Fields running wild Sunday. I believe Fields is the real deal and what better place to start that chatter than by beating the Browns in Cleveland.
In the game against the Bengals, Field secured victory for his hometown Bears by scampering for a first down late in the game.
I’m hoping that Garrett and other Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney can get to Fields and provide that much-needed boost to get the Browns that victory.
Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield versus the Bears defense
In last week’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Bears dominated them with their defense that was picking off their quarterback and sending him to the ground all afternoon. As I reviewed the video of that game, I couldn’t be more concerned about the shoulder injury Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield sustained last week in the game against the Texans. If the Bears can get to Mayfield, as they did Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, then we might have problems Cleveland.
Last week, Mayfield only had the one interception, mostly due to the fact that Browns rookie wide receiver Anthony Schwartz stopped on his route and allowed the pick.
Mayfield only had one interception after Week 7 of last season. That’s impressive. Will he throw one in this game? If I were a betting man I’d probably say yes. The probability is in his favor to throw one and considering the Bears gobbled up three of them a week ago, I’d just expect one or two to occur for Mayfield.
Now, will Mayfield throw for 300 yards and two touchdowns? Yes, probably as well. The Browns offense is pushing the ball and scoring. They’ve got 31 and 29 points in their first two games. I’d expect much of the same against the Bears. Where their previous opponent, the AFC North cellar-dwellers could only manage 200 plus offensive yardage look for Mayfield and the Cleveland offense to be closer to that 400 offensive yardage marker.
Cleveland Browns run game against the Bears
The Browns simply have the best running game and duo in the league. With Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb leading the charge, it’s the go-to for the Browns offense and is what wins games for the team. The Bears defense got toasted two weeks ago against the Los Angeles Rams.
It was mostly by the pass but they also gave up big chunks of yards on the ground. Browns backs Chubb and Hunt hopefully will see the ball more in this game. If they can get 25 to 30 carries between the two of them, then you know the offense of the Browns has controlled the tempo of the game and certainly put themselves in a better position to win.
Chubb has yet to cross the 100-yard mark this season, mostly due to the Browns not giving him the ball more. Chubb only had eleven carries last weekend. I know the counterargument to this debate of running your backs more, especially Chubb is that the Browns are trying to nurture him more in the early stages of the season and don’t want to rush him
I get that to a degree, but Chubb is very durable, along with his partner Hunt. Push them and stuff them down the opposing team’s throats. Sometimes, I believe the Browns coaches and head coach Kevin Stefanski are playing a player like Chubb too cautiously. You have a 17 week season now, but you still have to play to win the games and win them handily, especially if you consider yourself a Super Bowl contender.
All in all, the Browns will continue to be the talk of the town and nation for what it’s worth. These are good times for our Brownies.