Bengals: Five keys to victory over the Browns on TNF in week two
By Aaron Burd
Capitalize on Baker Mayfield’s mistakes
The Bengals’ defense played well in their loss on Sunday. The only area where the defense came up short was in turnovers. Chargers’ quarterback Tyrod Taylor has a reputation for being safe with the ball and he lived up to that as they won the turnover battle 2-0.
Fortunately for the Bengals, Browns’ quarterback Baker Mayfield is not as secure with the ball. In 2019, the former No.1 pick in the draft threw 21 interceptions, the second-highest total in the league. In the Bengals week 17 win over the Browns, Mayfield threw three interceptions.
The third-year quarterback showed that his turnover woes were not fixed in the offseason this Sunday against the Ravens. On his first drive of the season, he threw a bad interception.
To win the turnover battle and the game, it will be key for the Bengals’ ballhawks to take advantage of Mayfield’s mistakes and get interceptions. Darius Phillips and Jessie Bates III combined for seven interceptions, and two of Phillips’ picks came in week 17. They will be the catalysts for turnovers on the Bengals’ defense.
Mayfield is going to give the Bengals’ defense opportunities to intercept the ball, that much is inevitable. The Bengals can win the game on Thursday if they take advantage of those opportunities and make plays on the ball.