One thing that has been not mentioned too much are the quarterbacks. It's only 3 games, but Jacoby has a clear statistical advantage in almost every category. QBR, Completion 5, TD/Int ratio, fumbles, Yds per game, and Sacks taken.

I don't feel that way. I put several key matchups in my first post and then added the TE aspect. Not even one comment. Just doom and gloom.

Browns line was -3 yesterday. Now, it's -1.5 most likely due to the Garrett news.

This should be a pushover game if the defense plays to their abilities.

I think I'm taking the over 50 points.

In 1966 we topped that total... in the 14 meetings since, we've tied it -- once.

We seem to do well against Atlanta. Botch Davis was our coach in our 1992 playoff year, when we won the finale (my only Browns game); Romeo and Pettine, plus Gregg Williams iirc, also coached us to wins over the Falcons. Just some off the top of my head trivia.

Bro, you weren't even in the right millennium.

We seem to have problems with tight ends, and Pitts is as good as it gets in that department. If we don't contain him, it might make for a long day. We might be best served to play more man or he will zone gap us to death.

This sets up as a classic "trap" game. We need to be aware.

One other key might be the tight ends in this game.

Since 2021 and through the first 3 games of 2022, Atlanta has given up 121 receptions to TEs, which is the 4th worst in the NFL. The Browns are not far behind at 113, which is 6th worst.

Atlanta has allowed 1,518 receiving yards to TEs in that time period which is 3rd worst in the league. The Browns have given up 1,244 yards, which is 8th worst in the NFL.

Chubb, Browns face 'heavyweight' run test against Falcons
9:53 AM ET
AP

ATLANTA -- — Falcons coach Arthur Smith knows what to expect from a Cleveland Browns offense that revolves around Nick Chubb's powerful runs.

"They're coming to mash you," Smith said.

Smith wants Atlanta's rushing attack led by Cordarrelle Patterson to mash back.

Chubb, the NFL's leading rusher, and Patterson, who ranks third, will be in the spotlight in what Smith expects to be a "heavyweight fight" of running games on Sunday.


This will be Chubb's first NFL game played in his home state. The Cedartown native previously played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during his college career at Georgia.

Chubb says Cleveland's run-first offense wears down defenses.

"Things start to open up," Chubb said. "I can't really see them getting tired, but at the end of the game things do start opening up a lot easier."

Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett says the Browns' running game is no secret.

"I mean, yeah, teams know we're going to run the ball and we still run the ball," Brissett said.

The Browns (2-1) and Falcons (1-2) are the league's only teams to score at least 26 points in every game.

"Everybody sees the tape; it's going to be a really physical game on Sunday," Smith said. "They're going to try to run Nick Chubb 500 times and we got to stop him, and we're going to try to run the ball and play our game, too."

Brissett has disproved doubters who believed the Browns couldn't win until quarterback Deshaun Watson returns in December from his 11-game suspension for alleged sexual misconduct. Brissett threw two touchdown passes in Cleveland's 29-17 win over Pittsburgh on Sept. 22.

Patterson, formerly a wide receiver and return specialist, has set career rushing highs in two of Atlanta's first three games, including his 141 yards in last week's 27-23 win at Seattle.

The Browns may be without All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett, who suffered a sprained shoulder, strained biceps, cuts and bruises when he flipped his Porsche in a one-car crash on Monday.

MORE THAN A RECEIVER

Second-year Atlanta tight end Kyle Pitts made fantasy players happy when he had five catches for 87 yards last week. Pitts had only four catches for 38 yards in the first two games.

Smith said the tight end's value is based on more than his catches, pointing to his contributions in the running game.

"He's really becoming a complete player," Smith said.

OFFENSIVE ROLL

Watson will claim the starting job when he returns in December. Brissett is making a case he should be starting for some team, if not Cleveland.

The 29-year-old Brissett has exceeded expectations, leading the Browns to a pair of wins while completing 74% (43 of 58) of his passes in the past two games. Brissett has developed chemistry with wide receiver Amari Cooper and he's spreading the ball around to make all of Cleveland's playmakers happy.

Brissett believes the Browns' offense can be even better.

"The reasons why we haven't scored on every drive has been us," he said. "It's been things that we haven't (done) and we're still trying to correct."

RUN GAME DEPTH

Chubb has had strong support from backup Kareem Hunt as the Browns lead the NFL in rushing. The Falcons rank fifth with quarterback Marcus Mariota providing help for Patterson.

Mariota and Baltimore's Lamar Jackson are the only quarterbacks with two rushing touchdowns this season.

BUSTED-UP BROWNS

In addition to Garrett, the Browns had four other defensive starters miss practice this week.

End Jadeveon Clowney (ankle), cornerback Denzel Ward (ribs, back), linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (groin) and tackle Taven Bryan (hamstring) were also sidelined.

Browns linebacker and captain Anthony Walker Jr. suffered a season-ending quadriceps injury against Pittsburgh.

With Garrett and Clowney hurting, the Browns may need to rely on some rookies, including end Alex Wright.

THE QUIET MAN

Chubb doesn't have much to say during his weekly media sessions.


"He talks to me," Brissett told reporters. "I just don't think he likes to talk to you guys."

Chubb is loud when it matters — between the tackles and inside the yard makers.

Last week against Pittsburgh, Chubb ran for 113 yards, picking up 86 after initial contact while pin-balling off Steelers defenders, who made the mistake of trying to arm-tackle him.

Chubb has always had an effective stiff-arm, but he appears to be quicker and more elusive this season while relying on more jump cuts as he picks his way through holes.


https://www.espn.com/nfl/preview?gameId=401437749

Well done, Tru! Gives me stuff to look for. We need to put the grind on the Birds. But this game will demand some aggression from Woods methinks. If we lay back in lazy zone with huge cushions, we can be had. Hope we put up points; I certainly expect them to do so.

Trap Game

Games we should win we usually lay an egg

I'll take games the Browns should have won easily but lost; for 100 please Alex.

unleash the Elf!

We did. He's in Carolina.

Trap Game

As great as Chub is. Got to give credit to the Oline and Oline coach. He gets yards after contact because he often has a full head of steam before someone gets the opportunity to get a hand on him. Our guards kick butt.

Could be, very easily.
Hope the coaching staff has the team grounded, focused, and ready to execute.

Biggest game of this young season.

It is.

Not because of the specific game, but rather due to where we are.

This game is a game where we start to separate away from a level record or fall back to a level record. This is the game that starts to push us above .500, and all good teams play above .500. The sooner in the season you can do that, the better the chances you remain there and even build from there.

The key to winning this game is running the ball, controlling the clock and keeping Atlanta's offense off the field as much as possible.

With the injuries and with MG out - I'm expecting to see a high scoring game. Getting points and not punting on as many drives as possible will be more critical than normal.

With more time to throw for their QB, it's going to be uber important the secondary is on the same page. Blown coverages and chunk plays will really hurt.

Njoku might need to have his best game of the year, and someone else needs to help out Cooper. As it stands ATL should double Cooper every play, certainly key a man underneath to take away short completions to him.

Ultimately it may come down to just how good Stefanski's offense is - we've all seen him start games consistently with brilliant play calls. Only to stall in the second half if the other team adjusts or we need to make changes to keep up in high scoring games. We'll probably need to keep scoring TD's in the 3rd and 4th Q. As great as our run game is - and as weak as the ATL D appears to be against the run (4.8 yards per carry) - I think it's going to take the whole O to win today.

Reminder, the Browns were 3-1 last year.

No doubt if we win this week, we still want to go another game up.

I expect to see a Josh Dobbs package or two today.

Josh is from Alpharetta, Ga, a neighboring town with Atlanta. Maybe use him on two point try's and short yardage 3rd and 4th down plays.

In 1966 we topped that total... in the 14 meetings since, we've tied it -- once.

At least you still have the Honus Wagner.

That's a bold prediction.

I'll go bold... Felton breaks a punt return and is a tackle away from a TD... does he avoid that tackle?? Stay tuned.