Once again this unit was responsible for the loss to the Seahawks. In the air game there is the most substantial fragility and next Sunday a team that has excellent wide receivers will face again. However, that is not where the Browns’ strongest point is. Nor that his quarterback was a first overall pick. It’s the running game that drives the offense.
Runners vs. ground defense
This is the primary factor the Cowboys defense will need to focus on if it is to be successful in stopping them. All the good that is seen in the offense of the Browns through its stars is possible thanks to the effectiveness they have in this facet. When they manage to advance on the ground, the entire playbook opens. In just three weeks they accumulate 511 yards, getting 138 against the Ravens, 215 against the Bengals and 158 vs. Washington.
The main running back is Nick Chubb. He is possibly the best in his position right now with Ezekiel Elliott. This season he accumulates 292 yards on the ground, with four touchdowns by that route. Most of it also came in the last two days, achieving more than 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns each.
One thing that makes Cleveland’s running game the best in the NFL is that it complements Chubb with another lopsided running back like Kareem Hunt. This duo can do everything on the field with ease. Hunt brings much more versatility to the offense with his polished passing game. The RB is also very used to that having spent a lot of time with the Chiefs.
The key here may be to put more people in the box to make it harder for both of you. The big problem Dallas has is that that would inevitably leave fewer defenders in coverage. While it was shown that quantity did not mean quality in that instance, putting cornerbacks one-on-one against wide receivers could be deadly. In whatever form Mike Nolan is bound to find his way around the Browns’ running game.
NICK CHUBB TOUCHDOWN RUN!!! pic.twitter.com/0gfk8ZAyij
— Cleveland Sports Talk (@CLEsportsTalk) September 27, 2020
Open vs. secondary defensive
Cleveland has one of the most comprehensive offenses when it comes to stellar talent. The most important tool you have here is an old Cowboys acquaintance. I am referring naturally to Odell Beckham Jr. It is not necessary to remember the things this wide receiver can do on the field.
Any type of reception or route is on your menu. However, his production was still not what was expected since the Giants trade for a series of injuries last season that hurt the WR. Something similar happened to his friend Jarvis Landry in 2019. Still they managed to exceed 1,000 yards.
That shows the danger that the presence of both implies considering that they are also in a franchise in which they prefer to attack on the ground with their new head coach. On paper, the challenge for the Dallas cornerbacks will be as tough as stopping the Tyler Lockett-DKMetcalf duo, so there should be some fear.
Nolan has to work this week to do something different because so far the defense has been the anchor that keeps the team from moving forward. There’s no way the backs can stop these two wide receivers individually. The picture is much worse if we add that the Browns also have Austin Hooper, a very reliable tight end. The key may be in the next point.
.@bakermayfield finds @obj FOR SIX! ????
????: https://t.co/xCYUKnVxnh pic.twitter.com/PXLKQI8WDB
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 18, 2020
Baker Mayfield vs. Línea defensiva
Mayfield is by far the most unstable element in the Browns’ offense. Skill of course he has, but his consistency leaves much to be desired for someone who was the overall pick 1 in 2018. This is precisely where the benefit for the defense through lineman pressure could be.
The level of the front in Seattle was very good after some irregular performances. Russell Wilson’s five touchdown passes had more to do with a glaring perimeter deficiency than an excess time to pitch from the QB. But at times they could really put someone who is a strong candidate for MVP this season in a tight spot.
Aldon Smith’s production was simply spectacular with three captures included. The best part for Dallas is that that statistic tells only part of the story. Smith is dominating every offensive lineman who puts him ahead. The pass rusher also had four QB hits on a fantastic afternoon from singles.
One thing Cleveland management did well was improve the offensive line with very strong stakes. In free agency they paid for right tackle Jack Conklin and used pick 10 at OT Jedrick Wills Jr. This group is very strong because it is also made up of good inside linemen. Joel Bitonio is LG, JC Tretter is center and Wyatt Teller is right guard.
That battle on the line of scrimmage will then be very even. But if the Cowboys can make the quarterback uncomfortable, the benefits could come. Mayfield tends to rely too much on his arm, taking too much risk when pitching. Until before week 3 he had eight games in a row with at least one pick. The reason that streak was cut was OBJ.
#Browns CB Odell Beckham Jr. with a pass deflection. ????pic.twitter.com/1o80MYxQqu
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) September 27, 2020
