He's technically 100% correct: The Steelers' offense needs to "wake up" and establish an early lead to make the Browns give up trying to run the ball, and of course the Steelers' defense has to stop that run early.
Jeff knows his X's and O's, and understands how the "Hunt" Browns' offense works. He's a smart guy, which is the only reason I included this link...
However, Jeff is overlooking a few things:
1: The Hodges-led Steelers' offense can "wake up" any time it wants, but it will still see the 2019 game 13 Cleveland Browns' defense when it opens it's eyes, and that matters.
2: Jeff seems to think that something like a 10 point lead (or something) at the end of the first quarter would force the Browns to bench Hunt (or something) and quit handing off to Chubb...or something.
A TWENTY point lead wouldn't do that.
Like a lot of writers, Jeff doesn't realize that Freddie Kitchens is different than Hue Jackson and Mywayorthehighway Haley or their predecessors, or (apparently) that the 2019 Browns defense is pretty good, so...
3: Lamar Jackson's Ravens offense is (rightfully) all the rage right now. The biggest reason for that is that defenses can study all the films they want, and still not anticipate what they will do after any given snap.
...but the Browns' offense is only slightly more conventional or predictable in 2019, and remains more talented at the skill positions.
The Ravens have Jackson himself plus 3 dual-threat TE's, but the Browns have Hunt, Chubb, Landry, OBJ and (I expect) Njoku all on the field at the same time.
Njoku's return will make it harder for opposing defenses: Prior to his broken wrist, Njoku had become an above average in-line blocker per PFF, and also more reliable as a receiver.
Njoku can line up inside or wide. Hunt can come out of a huddle and line up anywhere. Chubb is being underrated due to Hunt and his role so far, but he can line up anywhere as well (including at WR).
Mayfield isn't a dual threat like Lamar Jackson is, but he has superior weapons, and a superior arm (*"arm" includes touch and accuracy. Not bashing Jackson here, but Mayfield still has the edge as a passer).
Summing it up, the Steelers defense won't "solve" the Browns' offense any time soon.
...I could go deeper here, but you don't want me to.
4: Baker Mayfield thrives on adversity. All this Steeler "outrage" and "revenge" crap only makes him better (especially since it's mostly bullshit in the first place).
5: The Browns are the more talented team:
5a: There is ignorance on both sides: Steelers fans who blame Mike Tomlin for the lack of Superbowl appearances (let alone their 2019 decline) are
I dislike the guy myself, but his record speaks for itself: He's a top-shelf Head Coach...down to his third string QB and missing Antonio Brown...in the same Division as the Ravens and Browns so...(GOD it hurts to say this stuff I hate Tomlin; the Steelers Head ENABLER who defends cheap shots by his players "nothing to see here" a scumbag...nevermind)...
But Freddie Kitchens' Browns after the bye-week are 3-1 including 2-1 vs contenders, tied for 2nd as the LEAST penalized team in the NFL, with an elite QB, RB, (but I digress):
And the playcalling has worked *armchair analysts generally say "That's what I wooda done"* and in the last 4 games since the bye week the Cleveland Browns have kicked ass.
The Bills just stomped a mudhole in the Cowboys (just sayin)...
Get up off Freddie Kitchens!
...at least til sunday...and don't blame him if he can't beat the zebras.
May the zebras let the best team win.
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