PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan)- While the Steelers sat idle this past weekend, the rest of the AFC North took care of business.
The Ravens bounced back from a Chiefs defeat to beat Washington 31-17. Joe Burrow threw for 300 yards to earn his first NFL win as Cincinnati beat Jacksonville 33-25. Finally, the Cleveland Browns racked up an impressive offensive output as they downed the Dallas Cowboys on the road, 49-38. The win put Cleveland at 3-1 on the season.
So, are they for real? Are they finally a legitimate threat? Colin Dunlap and Chris Mack of The Fan Morning Show asked this of RADIO.COM NFL insider Jason La Canfora Tuesday morning.
"I believe in their offense, I'll tell ya that. And I believe in Myles Garrett and I believe in some individual players on the defensive side of the ball. I think that the front 4 can be a problem. I don't know about their linebackers, I don't know about their safeties," said La Canfora.
"I think they're going to score a lot of points, I think they're going to give up a lot of points. But, they're a more professional outfit than they've been in a long time."
La Canfora believes that under new head coach Kevin Stefanski, they've found their formula to win.
"Baker Mayfield throw it 20-25 times, we need to have volume in the run game, we need to run it 30 times or more. We need to be consistent and multiple. Consistent with our intent to run the football and multiple in the way we do it. Even with Nick Chubb out, they still rolled up 300 yards on the ground. Now, Dallas doesn't play a lick of defense so that's part of the deal.
The Browns may just have the player personnel to keep winning, too.
"They upgraded at tackle. They're deep at running back, even without Chubb for the next six weeks, whatever it turns out to be. I think Baker understands his role is to be the point guard, not the 3-point shooter.
Distribute the ball, quick passes, concise footwork, we're not worried about 7-step bombs anymore. These guys can get YAC (yards after the catch), you know? I think Kevin Stefanski has some good stuff going on that side of the ball that will carry them and play well."
But then a final bit of perspective on Cleveland…
"Defensively…again, a lot of their games might be who's got the ball in their hands last."
Do you think the Browns are finally a worthy foe?
