Week 7 (4-2) Cleveland Browns vs. (1-4-1) Cincinnati Bengals
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
1:00 PM (ET)
Cleveland Browns Week 7 Preview:
For the second straight week, the Cleveland Browns will be on the road to take on an AFC North divisional opponent. The Browns will be looking to bounce back after suffering a big loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns defeated the Bengals in Cleveland earlier this year in week 2 35-30. Cleveland is now heading to Cincinnati, looking to get back into the winning column and getting another divisional win.
Why this is an important game for the Cleveland Browns:
Even with the Cleveland Browns having a record of (4-2), the Cleveland Browns are facing lots of scrutiny. The disappointing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week led to the Browns being labeled as a pretender instead of a contender. If the Browns are not able to get out of Cincinnati with a victory, the criticism of the Browns will get louder. However, the Browns have a chance to quiet their critics and improve their record to (5-2), which would put them in a great position to get into the playoffs.
Key Injuries:
Cleveland Browns:
Out– G Wyatt Teller (calf), TE Austin Hooper (Appendix), and LB Jacob Phillips (knee)
Questionable– S Karl Joseph (hamstring)
Cincinnati Bengals:
Out– Joe Mixon (foot)
Questionable– S Shawn Williams (hamstring)
What the Browns need to do to win:
Offensively: After only scoring seven points last week, the Browns offense is looking to have a bounce-back performance. Luckily for the Browns, the Cincinnati Bengals are one of the worst teams in the NFL defensively. In the week 2 matchup against the Bengals, the Browns offense gained 434 total yards and scored thirty-five points. The Browns were able to rush for 215 yards against the Bengals, with Nick Chubb rushing for 124 yards. Cleveland is now going to have to run the ball without running back Nick Chubb. Kareem Hunt is going to have to step up and have a big game for the Browns to have a good game offensively.
Defensively: The Bengals offensive game plan in their week 2 loss to the Browns was to attack Cleveland’s defensive in the passing game. Burrow threw the ball sixty-one times, becoming the first rookie to throw over sixty times in an NFL game without throwing an interception since 1950. Myles Garrett is off to an amazing start to the season. However, the rest of the Browns defensive has been struggling to get to the quarterback. Cleveland defensively is going to have to find a way to get production from their defensive line outside of Myles Garrett. The Browns’ cornerbacks are going to be tested this week. The Bengals wide receiver’s AJ Green, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd are all capable of having big games. With the Bengals starting running back Joe Mixon out, the focus will be on shutting down Joe Burrow.
Player to watch:
Baker Mayfield struggled last week, throwing for only 119 yards and two interceptions before being replaced by backup Case Keenum. Mayfield was visibly not hundred percent healthy last week. Baker faced lots of criticism this week following his performance. Mayfield is going into this game motivated to prove his critics wrong. Baker Mayfield will bounce back here and prove to Cleveland and his fans that he is a franchise quarterback.
Prediction:
Cleveland Browns 34 – Cincinnati Bengals 24
The Cleveland Browns and quarterback Baker Mayfield are coming into this game motivated to prove their critics wrong. The Browns offense will get back on track. I expect the Browns to score a lot of points and control the tempo of the game. The Browns will leave Cincinnati with a victory and prove to the NFL that they are playoff contenders.
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