Week 5: Browns vs. Colts Preview
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield celebrates after running back Kareem Hunt scored a touchdown during the second half of the team's NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Cleveland. The Browns won 35-30. (AP Photo/David Richard)
The first quarter of the 2020 season is in the books and the Browns are sitting pretty at 3-1. Their next opponent, the Indianapolis Colts, also have a 3-1 record. With the Browns offense clicking, this is sure to be an exciting Sunday afternoon matchup against a defensive juggernaut.
The Indianapolis Colts are coming off a 19-11 win against the Chicago Bears in a low scoring, defensive, grind-it-out battle. QB Phillip Rivers and company only produced one passing touchdown; a 13-yard pass to Mo Alie-Cox, which was the receiver’s only reception. The rest of the Colts’ points came from K Rodrigo Blankenship, who was a perfect 4/4 on the day. The Colts defense was able to hold the Bears to only 241 passing and only 28 rushing yards, a grand total of 269 yards allowed. The Colts had 186 passing yards and 103 rushing yards, a total of 289 yards.
The Browns, however, are coming off an exciting, high-scoring battle against the Dallas Cowboys. Headed into the 4th quarter, the Browns were up 41-14, and that’s when all hell started breaking loose. QB Dak Prescott and the offense picked up the pace against the lackadaisical Browns defense and scored 24 unanswered points to make it a three-point game. Late in the 4th, and the Browns only being up 41-38, HC Kevin Stefanski made a gutsy play call to give WR Odell Beckham the ball on a reverse, and it paid off. OBJ ran 50 yards to the house and after a blocked field goal that was somehow recovered in the end zone by the Browns to make it a two-point conversion, the score was 49-38. Dak and company marched down the field once again, but CB Denzel Ward intercepted the ball deep in Browns territory and sealed the deal. The Browns had 508 total yards: 201 passing and 307 rushing, while the Cowboys had 566 total yards: 481 passing and 85 rushing.
The Browns and Colts are both 3-1 and are coming off victories but in two different ways. The Colts’ victory came from its defense, while the offense is to thank for the Browns’ win. According to PFF (Pro Football Focus), the Colts are the highest-ranked defense in the NFL, being 1st in coverage and allowing the sixth-lowest amount of yards on rushing, allowing only 3.6 yards a carry. Furthermore, they have the most interceptions through the first quarter of the season (7) and also the Colts are the highest-ranked scoring defense, only allowing an average of 14 points a game. The Browns should have a challenge ahead of them since according to PFF, they are the 3rd-ranked offense in the NFL, 2nd in pass blocking and 1st in rushing. Even though Nick Chubb went out with a MCL injury early against the Cowboys, the running game was not affected by his absence. Kareem Hunt had 71 yards and two touchdowns, D’Ernest Johnson led the rushing charge with 95 yards and averaged 7.3 yards each carry. That’s hopeful that the running game for the Browns can continue their attack with Chubb being out.
Facing the highly-praised Colts defense is the biggest challenge this season the great Browns offense has faced to date. Looking at this matchup, there’s a question that comes to mind…
What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? Tune in at 4:25 this Sunday to find out as the Cleveland Browns take on the Indianapolis Colts!
