The Cincinnati Bengals face the Cleveland Browns twice in 2022 with Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson potentially being the most intriguing variable.
Cincy nonetheless know what to expect from the Browns defense, which features several elite players like cornerback Denzel Ward.
Ward enters his fifth season on the Browns and has established himself as one of the best corners in the game, earning two Pro Bowls and notching 10 career interceptions.
Ward has his eyes on the Bengals wideouts this upcoming season and recently posted this on his Instagram story:
Denzel Ward wants all the smoke with the Bengals WRs pic.twitter.com/qII7DFwFyg
— Preseason Chopz (@Pchopz_) August 10, 2022
Cincinnati Bengals will have to watch out for Browns cornerback Denzel Ward
Ward didn’t play in the Bengals’ and Browns’ final matchup of 2021, but in their first meeting, he notably recorded a first-quarter interception and brought it home on a 99-yard touchdown run.
Cincy ended up thumping Cleveland 41-16 that game, though the Bengals wideouts didn’t exactly steal the show. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd recorded just 138 receiving yards combined and no touchdowns; instead, running back Joe Mixon tore apart the run defense with two rushing touchdowns.
The Browns pass defense managed to lock down Burrow and his lethal trifecta one time, can they do it again?
Not much has changed for Cincy on the offensive side of the ball other than losing tight end C.J. Uzomah, who was only moderately productive last year anyway.
Chase arguably has the most to prove out of all Bengals wideouts after putting together a record-breaking rookie season, so it’s no surprise that Ward is gunning after him specifically.
The Bengals/ Browns matchup should be one very entertaining game to watch this season.