5 Bold Cleveland Browns predictions against the Packers

Bold Prediction No. 5: Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb will run for over 100 yards

There might have been a time in the not-too-distant past that I’d say this was reasonable and not exactly a bold prediction. But now I am. Nick Chubb hasn’t had a 100-yard game since November when he went for 130 yards against the Detroit Lions.

He racked up 91 yards in the game this past Monday against the Raiders. After a career-worst 16 yards on eight carries three weeks ago against the Baltimore Ravens, he has slowly started to come back to form.

However, in a big moment in the game against the Raiders, Chubb was asked to pick up the needed three yards for the first down to close out the game and he couldn’t do it. The blocking on the play was terrible, but still, Chubb needed to pick the yardage up and he couldn’t. It was a moment that I’d imagine that Chubb has thought back on a time or two this week and I expect him to be all-in come game time Saturday to help the team get the win.

He’s crossed the 1,000-yard mark now this year and should be able to add onto those totals in these next three games. With Mayfield back in the fold, I question what Stefanski’s game plan will be. Chubb did carry the ball a season-high 23 times in Monday’s game and hope that is more of what we see on Christmas Day. But next time Chubb needs to make the three yards.

Bold Prediction No. 4: Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield will shine

Baker Mayfield has had the chance to rest his injured body again these last two weeks after he was put on the Covid list. With more time to recover and reset, I have to expect Mayfield will be firing on all cylinders.

Will the firings be accurate or high and just out of reach of his receivers again? I’m siding on the side of this being a big game for the team and Mayfield knows that and will play one of the better games of his young career.

Having to face a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers in itself is a challenge, but at this point in the year, the Browns and Mayfield don’t have anything to lose, and they know they have to get the win. Is that enough motivation? In the past, especially last season, it seemed like when you put a little pressure on Cleveland or their quarterback they stepped up and played big. This season has been different than that one and those moments haven’t happened.

Green Bay has given up 25 touchdowns through the air this season and I think Mayfield will get his shots several times in this contest. I can see the Browns trying to go vertically more times in this game and try to open the field up. Look for Mayfield to throw the ball more than 30 times in this one. He threw it 31 times against the Chicago Bears and 33 times against the Minnesota Vikings, both teams from the same NFC North Division as the Packers. Mayfield has also had five straight games of throwing at least one touchdown.