BATTLE OF OHIO: A WEEK 9 PREVIEW!
Last season, the Browns swept the Bengals in what would be the most exciting sweep of the 2020 season. I know what you’re thinking, how can a sweep of one team be exciting, right?
Easy.
Both teams showed us what this rivalry used to be when both the Browns and Bengals were in their heyday and playing for more than just bragging rights. This season, the Browns won’t see the cats til week nine. So with that being said, let’s take a look at the match-up.
By the time the Browns and Bengals play in week nine, I expect the Browns to be, at the very least, 6-2 …maybe 8-1. The Bengals will have their work cut out for them as they still have to fix their offensive line. Bengal QB Joe Burrow tore his ACL and fractured his leg because of a weak offensive line against the Washington Football Team last season and if the Bengals front office doesn’t do anything to fix that problem, they may lose Burrow again this season. They still have weapons on offense and with the addition of newly drafted WR Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals should have no problem moving the ball or possibly scoring points… if they can keep their rising star QB upright. The Bengals defense is not the best, we all know this, but they can always get better. They won’t pitch any shutouts, but if they can get some help from the offense, I believe they can be a seven-win team. The Browns, Steelers, and Ravens are all stacked and still adding pieces to their teams and historically, the Bengals don’t make many or very good off-season moves.
The Browns, however, should be primed and ready to defend their title as the King of Ohio Pro Football. Running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt should be primed to be on course for 1,000 yards each. A feat that hasn’t been done since the historic duo of Byner and Mack in the ’80s. QB Baker Mayfield will have plenty of weapons to spread the ball to in the passing game, which should worry the Bengals very much as having to deal with Landry, Beckham, Higgins, Hooper and Hunt out of the backfield is every defensive coordinators’ worst nightmare. Combined with the fact that the defense has now gone from a 23rd-ranked to a top-10 ranked defense should make Joe Burrow not only worry but watch his back every play of that game. A front-seven including Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett is not what you want to see as an opposing quarterback, Not to mention the secondary has been vastly improved and I’m quite sure it won’t be easy to throw the ball on this defense by the time the season starts.
FINAL PREDICTION: Browns continue their dominance in Game One. 50-20 DAWGS!!!
About Author
