Cleveland Browns vs the Atlanta Falcons on the surface seems to be just your run-of-the-mill NFL game. However, if we take a closer look there is some intrigue from both teams. The Browns are coming off a 29-17 victory over their division rival Steelers. In what some called a must-win game after a devastating loss. The Atlanta Falcons are coming in after a victory over the Seattle Seahawks. So it’s safe to say they will be looking to continue with that positive momentum. With some key injuries on the defensive side of the ball for the Browns, this could turn into a high-powered offensive showcase.
Browns Offense
The Cleveland Browns offense is coming in rolling and looking much better than expected with Jacoby Brissett under center. Cleveland will look to continue running the ball behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. This falcons defense has had trouble up to this point stopping the run. A week ago they surrendered about 112 yards in the run game. Nick Chubb is averaging over five yards a carry while Kareem Hunt is averaging over four yards a carry. The overall of this Falcons defense seems to be susceptible to giving up a lot of yards to this Browns offense. For this game, the plan will be to run the ball and control the clock. With the defense sustaining key injuries they may look to help them out and keep them off the field.
Browns Defense
The Cleveland Brown’s defense will find themselves in yet another vulnerable spot for a game this season. Facing some tough injuries right now they are in a weakened position. Myles Garrett will not play because of injuries he sustained in a car crash Monday. Jadeveon Clowney is questionable, Taven Bryan is out and Anthony Walker Jr. is out for the season due to a quad injury. They will have to rely on the next-man-up theory and try and limit the Falcon’s rushing attack. In addition, they must continue to communicate as a unit. The Falcon’s offense presents some threats in the run game but also presents turnover opportunities. Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson is averaging a league-high 6.2 yards a carry. He and quarterback Marcus Mariota will look to take advantage of that in the run game.
Special Teams
The special teams must clean up the return game on kickoffs and punts. Along with stop the miscues, twice the punt return team avoided crisis of a dropped punt. However, the Browns have assigned a new punt returner Chester Rogers. If it comes down to it the on side recovery team needs to be much better. Finally Cade York must continue to grow through his rookie season.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons should have a pretty straight forward game plan this week. Run the ball and take advantage of a short handed Browns defense. Similar to the Cleveland Browns the strength of this team is the rushing attack. They will look to run the ball effectively to open up the passing game. Atlanta will look to get Kyle Pitts involved as much as possible. Rookie Drake London is good at finding open spaces in the defense so that is something the defense must be prepared for. The defense will try and key in on Amari Cooper and do what they can to limit the run game. Atlanta will try and force Jacoby Brissett to beat them with his arm.
Conclusion
The Cleveland Browns will look to go 3-1 for the third time under Kevin Stefanski. First year under Kevin Stefanski the team went 11-5 and made the playoffs second year didn’t go as well. Ended the season at 8-9 and missed the playoffs. Cleveland’s offense will look to continue its stride in winning football. While the defense will look keep working on communication and playing like a top five unit. This team needs to keep building on the division lead they have right now. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt will have a big game. I see the Brown’s winning 34-17 but it’ll be a tight game until the fourth quarter where the Browns pull away late.
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