Bengals vs. Browns Preview

A little late, but late is better than never. 

Tough to say a week 2 game is a must win, but, if you want to make the playoffs, there are certain things you must do: 1) go at least 3-3 in your division; 2) beat inferior teams; 3) win the games at home - winning on the road is tough in the NFL, therefore, you have to win the games when you have the home field advantage. This game hits the tri-fecta. Home game, in the division, against an inferior team, and, with an 0-1 division record, this is as close to a must win as there is. A loss at home, to Cleveland, would be devastating. 

The Browns have some pieces. Joe Hayden is a very good CB (but will miss this game due to suspension), the defense as a whole is not bad, and I think Richardson will be a good RB in the NFL. But, the Browns, as a whole, are not a good football team.  

I think this game turns on two things: 1) The Bengals ability to stop the run game; and 2) Turnovers. 

Stopping the Run

Look for the Bengals to try and make the Browns offense one dimensional and force rookie QB Brandon Weeden to beat them with his arm. Weeden, while maybe not as bad as his brutal week one stats might indicate (12-35 for 118 yards, 4 INTs and a 5.1 QBR), is a rookie with no great receiving threats, and at this point, does not look ready to be a starter in the NFL.  Richardson had a pretty poor debut last week as well (19 carries for 39 yards), however, I believe he has the making of a good NFL back and could be dangerous if he gets going early. If the Browns can have some success on the ground, that takes the pressure off Weeden and allows the Browns to stay in this game. If the Bengals make the Browns one dimensional, they can force Weeden into mistakes and capitalize on turnovers.

Turnovers

This seems like a no brainer, but the one way to allow an inferior team to hang around in a game is to give them the ball and short fields to work with – that is exactly how the Browns stayed in the game last weekend against the Eagles. The Eagles turned the ball over 5 times last weekend (should have been at least 6). Some of that was ill-advised decisions by Vick, but give the Browns defense credit. The Browns have a decent defense, but will be missing their best CB, and possibly their best player, in Joe Hayden. Hayden played well against AJ Green last year and will be missed by the Browns. Look for AJ Green to have a big game because of his absence. 

Prediction

I think the Bengals offense takes care of the ball and I think the Bengals defense, no thanks to Maualuga, will do a good job of containing Richardson and will force Weeden to beat them. I don’t think he can and will turn the ball over, again. 

If she likes the Bengals, so do I. 

Bengals 27 Browns 10