Here we go again. Peyton Manning's offense ranks 28th in the NFL, so coming to Cleveland is his chance to silence his critics.
Yeah, Haden and Gipson are out, so Peyton will shred them. And of course Denver will run all over this defense too.
I can't really blame anybody for expecting this. It's pretty obvious that this entire defense has been atrocious through the first five games.
It's just that everybody expects to "get well" against the Browns, but nobody expects the Browns to ever leave intensive care themselves.
This defense last season was pretty good in the most important categories. It was pretty obviously upgraded in the off season as well.
Hitner and others were perfectly reasonable to talk big about this year's defense, and especially this secondary.
Why is it not possible that this is finally the week that this defense stops screwing up? Why is it always somebody else coming in here expecting the exact same suckage they saw last week?
Indeed, the Browns getting better is more likely than the reverse here. Peyton can't run around, and despite worshipful reports to the contrary, is not as good as he has been.
There is Rodgers and Brady. And then there is Gramps Manning. Just deal with that.
I'd never knock this guy. I'm not even saying he can't still kick butt.
But Peyton isn't the whole Denver offense, and isn't responsible for all it's problems.
Their offensive line had weaknesses even before the injury bug, and much like the Browns, they've had a hard time running the ball...
Oh I forgot! The Brown's haven't stopped the run yet so they won't. The Broncos will naturally run all over them.
Maybe not. Just sayin.
Mike Hoag wrote a great article on the matchup here. Mike thinks the Browns will lose a close, low-scoring game. I can't argue, but it's not because of the Broncos offense.
That defense is absolutely dominating. Maybe even historic. I'd rather face the Seahawks than this crew. This is the best defense, top to bottom, the Browns will face in 2015.
Mike was right about using Duke and Crow as outlet guys, and staying short. Josh won't have time for anything else.
McCown has bought himself time with his legs, but the Broncos defenders are freaky-fast. Even if they don't bother to contain him, they'll catch up to him before he can reset to throw.
Really, as insane as this sounds, there couldn't be a better time for the Browns running game to get well! Tall order yes, but the Broncos are stacked more to stop the pass than the run.
As I've been saying repeatedly, this offensive line can drive people back and smash little people in space. Our new pass-catching tight end Barnidge blocks pretty well, and under the radar the "other" Johnson, the fullback, has been working into the offense.
Some of the 2-back sets we've seen have included this bigger guy. Many never noticed because he hasn't touched the ball yet. But any time he's on the field, he can block.
I wouldn't be surprised to see some 22 sets vs the Broncos. That's two backs, two tight ends. Sometimes one of the tight ends is Cam Erving.
This is a "jumbo" run set. The bad part is there is only one official wide receiver, but this is mitigated by Duke Johnson, who can deploy as a second one---and not necessarily on the line where he can be jammed.
Barnidge now commands respect as a receiver as well, so the Browns can do a lot out of this base-defense-demanding, unpredictable personnel set.
They can max-protect and chip and still pass. If Wade Philips brings the house against this, you might get Benjamin single-covered between the hashes, one of the Johnsons in the flat, and another crossing behind the inside blitzers.
But in my dreams, the running game gets well here, and they actually RUN the damn ball.
I can dream, can't I? Anyway, that's strategically how to attack this defense: Overpower it in the trenches.
I'm sure Flip will try it. I'll be furious if, once again, I see offensive linemen stood up in space by people they outweigh by 40-plus pounds and have a running start on.
I'm sorry I forgot: Peyton. Only the Broncos can possibly "get well" in Cleveland this Sunday. My bad.
This just in: My comment on the Manziel thing: Big Deal.
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