Browns at Bengals: Five Questions with the Enemy
The Cincinnati Bengals will play host to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. We crossed enemy lines to see what Tom of Dawg Pound Daily had to say about the match up.
Stripe Hype: The Browns have seen an increase in scoring with the arrival of Hue Jackson in Cleveland, but what does the defense have to do to turn offensive points into team wins?
Tom: Fire defensive coordinator Ray Horton? The Browns can’t cover anyone, can rarely get to the quarterback and only occasionally stop the run. If they could one of those taken care of then that would be a good start. As it is, the team is currently on pace to give up the most points in franchise history in a 16-game season.
Stripe Hype: Terrelle Pryor has seemingly been a huge boost to the Browns offense, what has been the key to his success?
Tom: Athleticism and hard work. Pryor truly has busted his ass in trying to make up for the fact that he never played wide receiver before. He is bigger than just every defensive back and faster than most, which gives him a huge advantage.
When you watch him play, though, it is pretty easy to see how much he still has to learn about how to play the position. He doesn’t always line up correctly, block effectively or run routes correctly, but he has an advantage on the physical side of the position that he can often overcome all that.
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Stripe Hype: Joe Haden has seemingly been a solid answer to the Bengals A.J. Green, however, how will his groin injury hinder him if he can go Sunday?
Tom: If you have Green in your fantasy league, this is the week to make sure he is in your lineup as he may have a career day whether or not Haden is in the lineup. The Browns have struggled all year to cover anyone as the secondary has been hit by injuries and ineffective play. Against a hobbled Haden or Jamar Taylor, Green should have no problem putting up a big day.
Stripe Hype: Who has been the biggest surprise this season and what will the Bengals have to do to counter his impact?
Tom: We’ll assume you mean surprise in a positive way, so let’s go with defensive lineman Carl Nassib and Danny Shelton.
Nassib is only working his way back onto the field after suffering a broken hand, but he is non-stop when he is on the field and consistently gets after the quarterback. Shelton is becoming a player that is causing problems for offensive lineman, even if not everyone is able to see it because he plays nose tackle.
Next: Bengals: Burfict Just Can't Catch A Break
Stripe Hype: What is your prediction for Battle of Ohio: Part One?
Tom: The Browns are going to get a win at some point this season and it could happen against the Bengals, although probably not this week. Cleveland has struggled to run the ball the past two weeks, which is doing rookie quarterback no favors, and even when healthy they have struggled to deal with Green and Eifert. Look for more of the same on Sunday.
Cincinnati 31, Cleveland 10