3 Bengals who must be exceptional vs Browns in Week 9

Tee Higgins matches up the best with Cleveland among Bengals receivers

This Cleveland defense has talent all over the field but has given up big points to the Chiefs, Cardinals, and Chargers while also turning in some elite performances against offenses with a lot of weapons as well, like the Vikings. Who knows which Browns defense shows up Sunday?

Cincy has offensive weapons in bulk, as we know. In addition, the Bengals’ weapons are appealing because they all have unique skillsets, specifically at wide receiver. That allows at least one wideout to have a favorable matchup in any given week.

This week, it could be Tee Higgins’ time.

The Browns have cornerbacks on the smaller side with Denzel Ward at 5’11”, 190 pounds, and Greg Newsome at 6’0″, 192 pounds. Meanwhile, Higgins excels as a possession receiver and stands at 6’4″, 215 pounds.

Burrow has a knack for putting the ball high for Higgins, where only he can get it. That can be a huge advantage this week against Cleveland. After coming off an injury, Higgins is starting to hit his stride with possibly his two best games of the year coming against the Ravens and Jets.

Cleveland could put Greedy Williams, a long & lengthy 6’2″ corner, on Higgins. Still, Williams does not have the same reach as Higgins and is almost 30 pounds lighter.

At times, larger receivers like Higgins “box out” corners in a sense, creating enough real estate for a contested catch. The Clemson product can do that on Sunday no matter what corner is thrown at him as he has the superior reach and strength.

Higgins taking advantage of this matchup is truly at the forefront with the Browns’ corners possessing extraordinary speed. Both Ward and Newsome have 4.3 speed, which gives them a good chance of limiting Ja’Marr Chase as a deep threat.

The second-year wideout Higgins has a matchup he needs to capitalize on, being the driving force in Cincy’s passing attack this weekend.