Browns Should Beat Dolphins for Sure I Think. By 15 Points or More. Or Less.

The Browns are not only missing Myles Garrett, but also Larry Ogunjobi and maybe Olivier Vernon from their defensive line vs the Fins this sunday.

The Dolphins (with Fitzpatrick at QB) have stunned the NFL by winning some games this season, and because of the holes mentioned, this game could be closer than a lot of people think.

1: Fitzpatrick is a seasoned veteran, and can do a variety of damage if given time to throw.  He will read quickly, and hit his hot reads on blitzes.

2: He has some weapons, including Davante Parker and rookie freak TE Mike Gesicki.  These are big, physical guys who can come down with contested deep passes, or run under zone coverage.

Full disclosure I don't know about the Fins offensive line, but stats show 24 sacks (too many) and a crappy running game so...

Nor is Gramps Fitzpatrick "Fitzmagic" anymore except in brief spurts.  His season-long stats and QBR are bad, and he's thrown as many picks as TDs (but he's been better recently, ok?)

My biggest concern is that sans Garrett/Vernon/Ogunjobi all at once suddenly, this Browns passrush could disappear, and Fitzpatrick could slice the defense up.

But Ellis L Williams offers several coping mechanisms...well basically the same ones I did several days ago...but Ellis went into a lot more detail, and educated even my humble self somewhat:

Ellis says that Steve Wilks is sneaky and diabolical.  He puts 7 guys on the line of scrimmage and makes QBs and centers guess who is attacking and who will back into coverage at the snap.

He also brings guys up at the last instant (after all the line calls have been made) to provide extra pressure.

I can add to what Ellis said that Wilks uses delayed blitzes (notably Mack Wilson)  and deceptive coverage schemes.

Losing SS Burnett to IR hurt, but not that bad.  Redwine is emerging, and Wilks has Schobert and Wilson, and the talent to alter his scheme to max these guys out...well that is...if he is as smart as my humble self (blush-blush) but I digress:

Obviously, we can't set Steve Wilks's bar that high, but he might come close...

Seriously, Wilks may have temporarily lost THREE starting defensive linemen, along with his starting SS, and I can't wait to see how he adapts to this:

Will it be that 4-2 base and 3-deep zone again no madder wudd?

But I digress: Ellis Williams thinks Wilks and the cornerbacks can handle life without Garrett/Ogunjobi/Vernon (and Burnett) for one week vs the Dolphins with trickery and deceit vs the Dolphins' offense, and I think he's right.

I also expect Baker Mayfield and the new Browns' offense to dominate in every phase, now that Kareem Hunt is in the mix, and Njoku is a strong possibility, and the OBJ connection is clicking better, and well...who expects the Dolphins to be the first team in 2019 to shut Chubb down?

The Browns should win vs the Fins easily, despite a couple deep burns by Fitzpatrick.

If David Njoku comes back, it's...well it's just party time for Baker Mayfield.

...It's hard not to look forward to stomping the "vengeful" "fired up" Steelers (I mean why should we even show up?) a week later, but I expect the Browns to take the Fins seriously and win.

Oh yeah for sure the Browns are doomed in Heinz Field 2 weeks from now, right?  I mean after Garrett tried to brain Rudolph, after the late hit and body-slam, and then said Rudolph had made a racial comment---

Well obviously the Browns are doomed to lose that one, since the Steelers are all pist off and determined and stuff, and Mike Tomlin is so much smarter than Kitchens, and Mayfield chokes and stuff...

Yeah keep telling yourself that:

Helmetgate has galvanized the Browns, ok?  The NFL reduced Clowney's suspension by a game.  Rudolph skated.  Garrett lost it only when getting swarmed by 3 Steelers, and everybody WITH A BRAIN knows who started it.

PS I'm skeptical of any black guy citing racist comments in every conflict with a non-bro, but NOT this time:

That hearing was allegedly private.  Garrett's allegation was a "leak".  Myles Garrett has been universally pillaried for his allegation...

Jesus "why didn't he say that in the first place?" he was TOWING THE LINE...Screw it I'm skeptical myself about Mason Rudolph blurting out anything racist, but the way everybody it piling on Garrett for saying that (behind closed doors haha) is just...

UNFAIR.

JEEZ Garrett is being bashed for not immediately saying this in public, for well I hear "I know what I heard"; I believe GARRETT!

Why?  Well aside from his well-established rep and character, the irrefutable fact that Rudolph lied about the "late hit", having ever been under Garrett, and...

Credibility matters .  

Actually, I'm sick of minorities playing the race card in every incident, acknowlege that it's 75% bullshit, and can't imagine Mason Rudolph doing what he did at Oklahoma State if he was a racist.

BUT Myles Garrett isn't Colon Kaperdick, and if HE says "I know what I heard" (after being further pillaried for the leaked assertion etc), I believe Myles Garrett.

...but he might have heard "I don't care that you're bigger" or something the wrong way from a psychotic compulsive liar who is chasing him around and stuff...

Jeez I'm sick of this...okbye.