CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The 1-5 Cleveland Browns return home having lost their last four games to take on the 2-4 Bengals in Week 7.
Here’s what we are watching for.
Batman Returns – 13 months after a second devastating injury to his left knee, three-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb, AKA Batman, makes his triumphant return to the field. The Browns activated Chubb on Saturday. Chubb will be on a play count as to not over work him, but hopefully his return and carrying the football can breathe some life into Cleveland’s listless offense.
Going streaking – The Browns, who are off to their worst start since the 0-16 2017 season, have never lost five straight under head coach Kevin Stefanski and they look to end a four-game losing streak Sunday at home, where they have already lost their first two games. It is only the second time a Stefanski led Browns team has lost four in a row (2022) but the Bengals come to town having lost their last six times in Cleveland.
Low bar – The Browns offense, led by underperforming quarterback Deshaun Watson, continues to remain a dink and dunk low scoring outfit. The Browns rank 32nd in total offense, yards per play, pass yards per play, sacks, first downs and third down efficiency; 30th in scoring and passing; 28th in rushing and 20th in rushing yards per attempt. Cleveland has yet to score 20 points in a game and they look to avoid joining the 1999 expansion and 1975 teams to fail to hit 20 points in any of their first seven games. A big reason why the Browns are having trouble scoring points – the lack of explosive plays or success on third down. The offense has tallied just 14 explosive plays with only four going for at least 30 yards, but none above 40 in six games. Too many negative plays on first and second downs have led to regular third-and-long situations and an NFL-worst 19.2 % conversion rate.
Tough love – Cleveland’s defense continues to get beaten by the big play prompting defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to call out his cornerbacks this week. The Browns have surrendered 27 explosive plays of 20 or more yards with 13 of those going for 30 yards, seven for at least 40 and three for 50 or more yards. Safety Juan Thornhill, who returns from a calf strain suffered in Week 1, believes he can help stop the bleeding in the secondary. They’re tasked with slowing the trio of Bengal receivers – Ja’Marr Chase, who has 70 yards receiving in four straight games and five touchdowns; Tee Higgins, who looks for his fourth game in a row with at least six catches and Andrei Iosivas, who caught two touchdowns against the Browns last January.
Burry Burrow – Myles Garrett has 12 sacks in 10 career games against the Bengals with eight of those being takedowns of Joe Burrow. Garrett has tallied at least one sack in each of the last seven meetings between the two teams. Burrow, who is completing 71.6% of his passes with 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions this season, has lost all five trips to Cleveland.
Last Time – January 7, 2024: Bengals 31, Browns 14
Series – Bengals lead all-time 53-48
Last week – Bengals beat the Giants 17-7; Browns lost to the Eagles 20-16
How they compare – Here’s a look at how the two teams match up statistically.
Points scored: Bengals 26.17, Browns 15.83
Yards: Bengals 349.8, Browns 240.2
Rushing: Bengals 100.2, Browns 97.2
Passing: Bengals 249.7, Browns 143.0
Points allowed: Bengals 25.3, Browns 23.5
Yards allowed: Bengals 356.0, Browns 333.7
Rushing yards allowed: Bengals 146.0, Browns 137.3
Passing yards allowed: Bengals 210.0, Browns 196.3
Turnover ratio: Bengals -1, Browns -1
Probable Starters – Offense: WR Jerry Jeudy, LT Jedrick Wills Jr., LG Joel Bitonio, C Ethan Pocic, RG Michael Dunn, RT Jack Conklin, TE David Njoku, QB Deshaun Watson, RB Nick Chubb, WR Elijah Moore, WR Cedric Tillman
Defense: DE Myles Garrett, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, DT Shelby Harris, DE Za’Darius Smith, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB Devin Bush, CB Denzel Ward, CB Greg Newsome II, CB MJ Emerson, S Juan Thornhill, S Rodney McLeod
Injury report – OUT: RB Jerome Ford (hamstring), Nyheim Hines (knee), S Ronnie Hickman (ankle); QUESTIONABLE: C Ethan Pocic (knee), LB Jordan Hicks (elbow/triceps), S Juan Thornhill (calf), RB Nick Chubb (knee)
Uniforms – Brown jersey, orange pants, orange helmet
Broadcast – 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the University Hospitals radio network; WOIO TV-19 (WOIO)
Kickoff – 1:03 p.m. Huntington Bank Field; Cleveland, Ohio
Our prediction – Bengals 27, Browns 20
