Cleveland, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – After a tumultuous week that followed their first win over the Steelers in 5 years, the 4-6 Browns turn their attention to the 2-8 Miami Dolphins.
The Browns look to win 3 in a row for the second straight season, matching the second-longest win streak in the expansion era for an eighth time. It would also mark a milestone for the franchise – the 100th victory since 1999.
The Dolphins have been one of the NFL's worst teams, by design, this season. They've been outscored by a league-worst 166 points, including 70-3 in the third quarter, this season.
What to watch for – With Myles Garrett suspended indefinitely – including for the remainder of the season, Larry Ogunjobi suspended for Sunday’s game and Olivier Vernon still sidelined with a knee injury, Sheldon Richardson is the only member of the starting front 4 that will e on the field. Chris Smith and Chad Thomas will replace Garrett and Vernon at defensive end and Devaroe Lawrence will step in for Ogunjobi.
Cleveland has not committed turnover over their last three games and quarterback Baker Mayfield has five TD passes and no interceptions over that same span.
Running back Nick Chubb ranks third in the NFL with 1,011 yards in 10 games, a 101.1 average per game, the team’s highest through 10 games since Hall of Famer Jim Brown (103.3) in 1964.
Receiver Jarvis Landry, who spent his first 4 seasons in Miami after being drafted in the second round by the Dolphins before being traded to the Browns in March 2018, has caught a touchdown in 3 straight games.
Linebacker Joe Schobert had one of his best games of his career last week with two interceptions, four breakups, one sack and 10 tackles.
Miami has a league-low 13 sacks this season and they lost starting safeties Reshad Jones and Bobby McCain, who went on injured reserve, this week.
Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker had career-high 135 receiving yards on seven receptions last week.
Cleveland will need to be wary of Miami’s special teams unit. Jakeem Grant had 101-yard kickoff return for TD last week for the Dolphins and his four special teams return TDs are a new Dolphins record. Last week the Dolphins became the 12th team since 1991 to recover onside kick and return a kickoff for a TD in the same game.
Last week – Browns beat the Steelers 21-7; Dolphins lost to the Bills 37-20
Last Time – Sept. 25, 2016: Dolphins 30, Browns 24 F-OT
Series – Dolphins lead 11-8 dating back to 1970
Rankings – Points scored: Dolphins 29 (13.9), Browns 25 (19.2)
Yards: Dolphins 29 (263.0), Browns 22 (342.9)
Rushing: Dolphins 32 (60.3), Browns 12 (121.9)
Passing: Dolphins 29 (202.7), Browns 21, (221.0)
Points allowed: Dolphins 31 (30.5), Browns 17 (22.8)
Yards allowed: Dolphins 29 (394.3), Browns 16 (344.0)
Rushing yards allowed: Dolphins 30 (148.3), Browns 25 (127.2)
Passing yards allowed: Dolphins 20 (246.0), Browns 6 (216.8)
Turnover ratio: Dolphins 32 (-13), Browns 25 (-4)
Probable Starters – Offense: WR Odell Beckham Jr., TE Pharaoh Brown, LT Greg Robinson, LG Joel Bitonio, C JC Tretter, RG Eric Kush, RT Chris Hubbard, QB Baker Mayfield, WR Jarvis Landry, WR Rashard Higgins, RB Nick Chubb
Defense: DE Chad Thomas, DT Devaroe Lawrence, DT Sheldon Richardson, DE Chris Smith, WILL Mack Wilson, MIKE Joe Schobert, CB Denzel Ward, CB Greedy Williams, CB TJ Carrie, FS Justin Burris, SS Morgan Burnett
Injury report – OUT: DE Olivier Vernon (knee), S Eric Murray (knee)
QUESTIONABLE: LB Joe Schobert (groin)
EXPECTED TO PLAY: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (groin), WR Jarvis Landry (hip), LG Joel Bitonio (groin), OT Kendall Lamm (knee)
Uniforms – Brown jerseys, orange pants
Broadcast – Radio: 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the University Hospitals Cleveland Browns radio network. TV: WJW Fox 8 TV
Kickoff – 1:03 p.m. – FirstEnergy Stadium – Cleveland, Ohio
Our prediction – Browns 27, Dolphins 13
Our prediction record – 5-5
