Here are a handful of matchups that could decide the game on Sunday.
Now that the Cincinnati Bengals have won their second game of the season, their focus shifts to their next opponent, the Cleveland Browns, who are floundering with a 1-5 record.
The Bengals are favored, despite their 2-4 record, in their second consecutive away game. A win over the Browns would be their first in Cleveland in several seasons.
Here are a handful of matchups that could decide the game.
Orlando Brown Jr./Amarius Mims vs. Myles Garrett/Za’Darius Smith
This is likely the matchup of the game. Garrett is one of the best edge rushers in the NFL. He has four sacks so far in his eighth season in the league and is the second-highest-rated edge rusher in the NFL, according to PFF.
Brown is having an outstanding season as the Bengals’ left tackle, as well, though. He has only given up two sacks in the year, and he and Garrett will be in a clash of titans. Don’t forget about the other edge rusher, Smith, who has three sacks of his own, though.
Garrett does switch sides from time to time to try rushing from the quarterback’s right side, which will put him man-to-man against the rookie. I expect the Browns to do this early and often to test Mims. If the Bengals offensive tackles hold up against this extremely talented duo of pass rushers, the Bengals offense could have a bounce-back week.
Garrett has more sacks against the Bengals than he does any other team in the AFC North. That needs to be shut down.
Bengals defensive backfield vs. David Njoku
The Browns offense hasn’t been very good, and now their best receiving weapon has been shipped off to Buffalo. David Njoku hasn’t done much yet this season, but there is no denying his talent. He has the size and speed to be a matchup problem, and he may be the one Deshaun Watson looks to first before scanning for other receivers.
The Bengals defensive front vs. Nick Chubb
Chubb is one of the best running backs in the NFL, and he’s set to make his return to the field this weekend after his knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season. He is blessed with a rare blend of speed and power, and his return could be the catalyst the Browns offense needs to start scoring.
The Bengals defense struggled through the first few weeks of the season, allowing the offense to score on almost every possession but still losing. When the offense struggled against the Giants in New York, though, the defense helped the team win.
With Sheldon Rankins, BJ Hill, McKinnley Jackson, and Myles Murphy back, Lou Anarumo has a full defensive front to help keep Chubb in check.
Joe Burrow vs. Talented Browns Secondary
The Browns really do have a talented defense on all three levels, and if the offense was working, they’d be much better. The best defense against Nick Chubb, however, could be a good Bengals offense.
If the Bengals can score early and often, they could force the ball into Watson’s hands, and that’s where Anarumo wants it.
That means the Bengals offense hopefully has a bounceback week after they struggled in New York. With Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and the rest of the offense, Burrow can hopefully put up the same kind of fireworks display he did against the Ravens and Commanders.
Lou Anarumo vs. Deshaun Watson
The Browns are, rightfully so, being raked over the coals for their contract with Watson. They owe him so much guaranteed money over the next couple of years that they feel as if they can’t bench him.
They’re paying him too much to let him sit on the sidelines.
Lou Anarumo’s defense is coming off their first real win of the season, and the last thing he needs to let happen is to allow Watson to have a breakout game. Allowing the Browns offense to outduel Burrow and the Bengals would be the deathblow to Cincinnati’s playoff hopes, which are close to being on life support already.
Anarumo’s defense has to keep the Browns out of the end zone.
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What matchups are you going to be keeping an eye on?
