Three keys to victory for the Washington Football Team vs. Browns in Week 3
1. Stop the run
The Browns have a clear strength on offense. It’s their run game. Led by one of the game’s best, Nick Chubb, and a star in his own right, Kareem Hunt, Cleveland will lean heavily on its run game in Week 3.
Washington’s defense has to contain the running game. If the running game gets going, they will use it to set up the play-action pass for the third-year quarterback, Baker Mayfield. Mayfield performs significantly better when he works off his running game into the play-action pass.
A misconception about Mayfield is that he is bad. He is not. In fact, he has a ton of talent. The problem with Mayfield is that he is very inconsistent. You get either subpar Mayfield or Pro Bowl-level Mayfield. There is rarely any in-between.
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If Washington stops the run game which prevents the effectiveness of both Cleveland’s main weapon on offense and the play-action, it increases the chances of subpar Mayfield making an appearance. Then, Washington can rely on its elite pass rush to change the complexion of the game.
While Mayfield is mobile, he certainly isn’t Kyler Murray. If you make him drop back, that bodes a lot better for the strength of Washington’s defense to have a big day. For that reason, Washington has to stop Cleveland’s run game to have a chance at winning this contest.