There is still a long way to go for the Cleveland Browns to become playoff contenders in the AFC, but they are headed in the right direction with their draft haul ready to make an immediate impact. The top four picks from the recent draft will likely start the Week 1 season opener against the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers as the franchise rebuild continues. For the first time in a long time the Browns have done something right, now they just can’t blow it.
Don't miss any of the NFL Week 1 action on Sunday, September 10, 2017 at 1 p.m. ET. This duel from FirstEnergy Stadium will be televised on CBS
NFL Week 1 Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Pittsburgh Steelers -9.5
Cleveland Browns +9.5
Over/Under 47.5
Antonio Brown vs. Joe Haden
The son of former Arena League standout “Touchdown” Eddie Brown has made a name for himself as arguably the best receiver in the NFL. It helps to be on the receiving end of Ben Roethlisberger’s strikes and in a scheme that features a vertical attack, but Brown has done it all. With running mate Martavis Bryant out last year, Brown was the central figure and he produced the second-most receptions in the league with 106.
Now that Bryant is back, the numbers may decline, but the Steelers and Big Ben are going to launch the ball and there will be enough catches out there for the entire receiving corps. Besides, when Bryant last played during the 2015 campaign, Brown had a career-best 136 receptions for 1,800 yards.
Brown is the main target and has an uncanny relationship with Roethlisberger, who said the Steelers could average over 30 points per game. Haden, the most experienced cover man in the Browns secondary, will have the unenviable task of defending Brown and we’ve seen his skills decline over the years. Of course there was an injury that limited him the last two years, but guarding Brown is a chore even if healthy.
Myles Garrett vs. Marcus Gilbert & Carlos Villanueva
The Browns used the No. 1 overall pick in the draft on the best player available and Garrett was the guy. A fierce pass rusher, Garrett instantly gave the defense some credibility after a scary last season when the Browns were next to last in rushing and total defense. The numbers against the pass were decent, but teams didn’t need to throw the football when they could run all over the Browns for an average of nearly 143 yards per game.
The Steelers like to throw the ball and they won’t deviate much from their game plan. When Big Ben settles in the pocket he does so behind a solid group of pass protectors. However, tackles Gilbert and Villanueva will be tested by the top draft pick.
Garrett will fit in nicely with coordinator Gregg Williams’ aggressive schemes and with his gifted abilities he’ll be used in different situations. Garrett is big enough to defend against the run, quick enough to rush off the edge and agile enough to cover in space. He will not only give the tackles nightmares, he will also be in Roethlisberger’s grill enough to create some problems.
DeShone Kizer vs. Browns QB Ghosts
The Browns aren’t going to contend for a Super Bowl this season and qualifying for the postseason is an unlikely scenario. So, why not hand the offense over to Kizer, the team’s second round pick in the recent draft.
Kizer is the best option at the position and, according to Hue Jackson, gives the Browns a better chance at winning games. There’s no denying the talent level. He has a strong arm and is mobile in the pocket. But so was RG3 when the Browns brought him in and tabbed him the starter at the beginning of last season.
Due to poor play and injuries, there just hasn’t been much stability at the position. Kizer will be the Browns’ 27th different starting quarterback since the team rejoined the NFL in 1999 and in that 18-year span the Browns have had two winning seasons and one playoff appearance.
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