5 Bold predictions in Week 18 as Cleveland Browns face Cincinnati Bengals

Oct 21, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio (75) and running back D'Ernest Johnson (30) celebrate after quarterback Case Keenum (5) rushed for a first down during the second half against the Denver Broncos at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio (75) and running back D'Ernest Johnson (30) celebrate after quarterback Case Keenum (5) rushed for a first down during the second half against the Denver Broncos at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
Nov 7, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) catches a pass in the end zone against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton (21) in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Browns Bold Prediction No.5: David Njoku will have a big game

David Njoku will step up in this game and play well. He is a free agent after the season but will sign again with the team as the team decides to part ways with their other big-name tight end Austin Hooper.

Njoku is having the second-best season of his career. He currently has 34 catches for 464 yards and four touchdowns. He had one huge game in the mix with his outstanding game against the Los Angeles Chargers where he caught seven passes for 149 yards.

He’s had some really good moments too against the Bengals in his past. He’s grabbed 18 receptions for 236 yards and four scores. One of those scores from a year ago, he caught the ball at the five-yard line and then managed to push his way to pay dirt with the help of his teammates.

A certain highlight for Njoku’s career.

The tight end has been with Cleveland since 2017 and he was paid $6 million this season. There have been games that both Njoku and Hooper have disappeared and yet there are also moments when the two players have had outstanding and shining moments. Cleveland fans then are left scratching their heads going “why haven’t they been doing this all along?”.

The timing of Hooper’s poor performance a week ago against the Steelers where he was dropping passes and moving on the line of scrimmage and drawing penalty flags could haunt him as the Browns try and decide how to make their offense go again because right now it’s in a muddy rut.

Hooper isn’t a free agent until 2024. However, if the team were to release or trade him after June 1, then they would save $9.5 million in cap space. We’ll have to see what happens Sunday. It could be an indicator of how the team plans on moving forward.