Green Bay Packers v. Cleveland Browns: Behind Enemy Lines
By Paul Bretl
At 11-3 and now winners of the NFC North for the third straight season, the Green Bay Packers remain the NFC’s top seed and control their own destiny when it comes to securing that first-round bye.
Next up on the schedule is the 7-7 Cleveland Browns, who have had an up and down season and are currently just hanging on to any playoff hopes. At the moment, the Browns have several players on the reserve/COVID list and they are also coming off a very short week, having just played on Monday Night.
To help preview this uncommon opponent, Chad Porto of the Factory of Sadness, where they cover anything and everything about the Cleveland Sports scene, was kind enough to answer a handful of my questions to help provide us with some insight into this Browns team.
It’s been an up and down year for Baker Mayfield, what have been one or two of the biggest contributors to his inconsistency?
Chad: The biggest issue with Baker Mayfield isn’t a single issue, which is the exact problem. He’s had injuries that have affected his throwing ability, but the team around him has failed. The offensive line hasn’t been nearly as consistent without Jack Conklin, and Jedrick Wills is not playing like a guy drafted in the Top 10 of an NFL Draft class.
The offense is slow, with the tight ends all being faster and better athletes than the Browns’ number one receiver, and all that is compounded by the fact that Kevin Stefanski’s offense is too conservative to be explosive under these conditions. It’s been a cataclysmic failure on offense and Mayfield has been the scapegoat.
What is the strength of this Browns team—where do they give their opponents issues?
Chad: The strength is the defense, namely the secondary. While the safeties leave something to be desired, the Browns have arguably three “number one” corners. With a healthy Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams, and Greg Newsom there isn’t much a team can do throwing against them. That allows a lot of coverage sacks to happen.
On the slip side, what do the Browns struggle with?
Chad: Shockingly they struggle on offense. The lack of a consistent offensive line has derailed both the passing and rushing games, and any team with a decent front seven can cause major issues for the team. While they have two Pro Bowlers on the line, anyone who knows football knows just one weak link can derail a line.
Who is one player on offense and one on defense that Green Bay Packers fans may not be familiar with but who could make an impact on Saturday?
Chad: Keep an eye on tight ends David Njoku and Harrison Bryant on offense. They’re crazy athletic and can cause some real damage if the coaching staff calls up their number. Defensively, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Sione Takitaki have done a great job taking away the middle of the field in most passing situations. I know you asked for two, but these guys go hand in hand with one another.
If the Browns are going to pull off the upset, what does their path to victory look like?
Chad: If the Browns win, it’s going to be the NFL version of MMA’s “ground and pound”. The Browns need to wear down the Packers’ defense with a steady running game, with soul-crushing third-down conversions. Then, on defense, it’s about taking away passing routes and hopefully giving the front four a chance to get to Aaron Rodgers. We all know the offense goes through him and throwing bodies at him all game is the key to disrupting the Packers passing game.