Bengals: Five keys to victory over the Browns on TNF in week two
By Aaron Burd
Stifle the Browns’ elite running game
In a loaded Browns offense, their strongest position is arguably the running backs. In Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, the Browns have a duo of backs who have each had a top-two rushing season in the past three seasons. If these two running backs can get going, the Bengals offense may not be able to keep up.
The Bengals did relatively well against the run, regardless of what the stats say. The Chargers carried the ball 39 times for 155 yards (4.0 a carry). Despite this, the run defense looked stout for the majority of the game aside from one drive.
Nose tackle D.J. Reader left with an injury for one drive and the Chargers took full advantage, gashing the middle of the Bengals’ defense for their one touchdown drive of the day. When Reader was in though, the Bengals had a good day against the run.
With Reader healthy on Thursday, they should be able to keep up the success against the run. Free-agent addition Vonn Bell also looked good against the run, being credited by PFF with seven solo tackles and a run defense grade of 68.7.
The Bengals’ new additions on defense looked good against the run on Sunday. If they keep that up and shutdown Chubb and Hunt, the Browns won’t be able to produce enough offense to keep up with the Bengals’ playmakers.