Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns: Keys to victory against Cincinnati

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:12 a.m. ET

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Oct 23, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge (82) makes a catch against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Darqueze Dennard (21) in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Though the Cleveland Browns are without a win, they will be ready to go for the second edition of 2016’s Battle for Ohio. What must they do to win?

The Cleveland Browns have had quite possibly their worst season in history, plagued with miserable play from their offensive line and secondary. But when the 4-7-1 Cincinnati Bengals come to FirstEnergy Stadium this Sunday, all of the past struggles are forgotten.

As the former offensive coordinator for Cincinnati, Cleveland head coach Hue Jackson would like nothing more than to put the finishing touches on his former squad’s playoff hopes.

In the last meeting between these two teams on October 23, the Bengals came away victorious, 31-17. But this game will have a much different feel, as Cincinnati star receiver A.J. Green will miss the game due to injury.

So, there is hope for the Browns. But this game won’t be won easily with the current roster Cleveland has. They will need to be on top of their game in these five areas in order to pull off their first win in a game seen as their best remaining opportunity.

Nov 10, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (11) makes a catch in front of Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The biggest challenge for Cleveland when these teams met in Week 7 was slowing down Cincinnati’s pass offense. This time though, it will be a much different story. With the Browns’ offense becoming worse and worse over the past few weeks, and the cold weather becoming a major factor, it will be the team’s offense that makes or breaks them.

Since it is very clear that the Browns have virtually no run game, it is inevitable that at least two-thirds of their plays will be through the air. With Robert Griffin III returning, his ability to throw accurately will be critical.

In order to increase the chances of this happening, Cleveland must run short routes and creatively involve their running backs and tight ends in the passing game. This is what they did very well in the last meeting, a game in which the Browns put up 352 yards of offense.

Quick routes are not natural to Terrelle Pryor or Corey Coleman, but they have to be able to execute five-yard gains early on to help out the offensive line. Of course, accuracy is critical in these short throws, as they must be right on in order to maximize opportunities for yards after the catch.

Oct 23, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Margus Hunt (99) against Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge (82) and tackle Joe Thomas (73) at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

It is no secret that the Browns’ offensive line has been absolutely atrocious in the past few weeks. Surrendering eight sacks two weeks ago and another seven last week, Cleveland quarterback’s are being hung out to dry.

The key for this week’s matchup against a decent pass rush is to improve as the game progresses. Early on, quick routes should be the Browns’ method of moving the ball down the field. But later in the game, Cleveland will have to take shots and put some quick strikes on the board. If this is going to happen, they will need to be able to protect Griffin for an extended period of time.

It is especially important to protect the edges. Joe Thomas and Austin Pasztor will be tested by two talented defensive ends in Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson. These two especially will need to lock in and have a stellar performance.

If the rest of the line can hold its own, and the team can anticipate the exotic blitzes Cincinnati likes to send, they will find themselves with opportunities to take some shots down the field. This is much easier said than done. But it is critical if the Browns want to reverse their stagnant offensive ways, especially in the second half.

Oct 23, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) carries the ball against the Cleveland Browns in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

As important as a good offensive showing will be, the Browns will still have their hands full on defense. Though the Bengals gained the bulk of their 559 yards of offense in Week 7 through the air, the first step to keeping Cincinnati off the scoreboard is denying their rushing attack.

Jeremy Hill and Giovanni Bernard are a dynamic duo in the backfield that have a perfect combination of speed and power. Cleveland’s linebackers will be the key to stopping both Hill and Bernard, as they will have the responsibility of filling the holes created by the offensive line and sealing the edges.

Christian Kirksey, Demario Davis, Emmanuel Ogbah, and Jamie Collins are capable of doing this successfully, as they have shown at times this season. But they must be given the opportunity to be able to make a difference against the run. This means that Cleveland must limit the amount of times they drop their linebackers into pass coverage.

Stopping the run will put Cincinnati in second and third-down situations not ideal for the makeup of their offense. This will allow the Browns to bring the pass rush, and the dominoes will fall into place. But everything starts with stopping the run, which comes down to the inside linebackers filling the hole and the outside linebackers sealing the edges.

Oct 23, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) carries the ball against the Cleveland Browns in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

If the Browns can get the Bengals to abandon the rushing attack, they will be on their way. However, finishing will be dependent on if their pass rush can actually get to quarterback Andy Dalton.

In order to do this, the defensive line and linebackers have to work together. In situations in which Ray Horton decides to dial-up a blitz, the line has to get the push, collapsing the pocket. Then, the linebackers on the edge who are some of the team’s most talented pass rushers can force Dalton to step up in a crowded pocket. This will lead to many sacks, or incompletions at the very least.

Also, look for Carl Nassib to have a monster game if the Browns can stop the run. The rookie out of Penn State has excelled in limited pass rushing opportunities this season. As an edge rusher with speed, Nassib can capitalize on an offensive line that has a hard time protecting the blind side.

Of course, the ability to collapse the pocket is dependent on whether or not Cleveland actually sends six or seven pass rushers. Against a tight end like Tyler Eifert, they may want their linebackers to help out in pass coverage. Plus, with a weak secondary, whether or not the pass rush will actually have time to get to Dalton is uncertain.

Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (16) runs with the ball after a catch during the second quarter against the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Third down is the key down on both sides of the ball in a game like this. For a Browns team that has been beaten up in every facet of the game lately, opportunities to get off the field and situations in which they need to extend drives must not be wasted.

Coming off of the bye week, something that Cleveland needs desperately is confidence. There is nothing more demoralizing than missing opportunities to get off the field. There is also little more encouraging than coming up with the necessary third down yardage to move the sticks on offense.

If the Browns can combine both of these, they will have belief that they can pull this one off.

Third-down efficiency on offense is a product of the receivers’ ability to find the sticks, and put themselves in a position to make key grabs. Andrew Hawkins and Gary Barnidge are Cleveland’s most natural third down targets, but Pryor is of course an option as well.

Depending on how well the team is able to run the ball, third downs may be manageable. This would be a significant boost for the Browns, as their passing game has been doing very well in third-and-short situations.

Defensively, Cleveland will have to guard against Brandon LaFell and screen passes to Hill and Bernard. The play of the secondary is key on third down, and the absence of Derrick Kindred for this game will make matters more difficult. As a result, players like Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Joe Haden, and Ed Reynolds will have to step up.

If the Browns can win third down, they will win this game. It won’t be easy against a desperate Bengals team, but gaining confidence and making a few of the game’s most critical plays will be enough to get it done.