Cleveland Browns: 5 matchups to watch in week 4

Cleveland Browns Matchup No. 3: Malik McDowell vs Ezra Cleveland

If Kirk Cousins has proven anything in the NFL, it is that if given a clean pocket he can flat out move the ball. When in a clean pocket and throwing on rhythm in structure, Cousins is as effective as any quarterback in the league. The Browns need to muddy Cousins’ pocket if they have any hope of slowing up this potent Vikings offense.

While Myles Garrett gets all the attention when it comes to the Browns pass rush, as it should with Garrett coming off of a four and half-sack game, the defensive ends will not play as big of a role this week. Cousins gets the ball out of his hand much faster the most quarterbacks which doesn’t give edge rushers the time they need to get to the quarterback. The key player to disrupt Cousins this week is defensive tackle, Malik McDowell.

It is all about finding the weak link in the chain of the Vikings interior offensive line. For the Vikings, that man is the left guard, Ezra Cleveland. If that name sounds familiar to you, it is because Cleveland was linked to the Browns (pun intended), in the 2020 NFL draft cycle. Cleveland is a converted offensive tackle, and while he has excellent athleticism, he is subject to getting bull rushed.

Enter McDowell. The 6-foot-6, 295lb defensive tackle is an absolute handful when he decides to go through your chest to the pocket. Look for McDowell to dump Cleveland in Cousins’ lap early and often, creating chaos and forcing Cousins into the arms of Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney.