CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns aren’t the only ones licking their wounds following last week’s 45-7 defeat at the hands of the Patriots. Here in this column, we’re trying to figure some things out, too.
Myles Garrett got a sack but Jadeveon Clowney did not. Jarvis Landry did not score a rushing touchdown. The Browns did not win the turnover battle. If not for a Bills cover against the Jets, it would have been one big 0-fer because, somehow, a game where one team scored seven points went over.
These prediction posts have me rethinking my side hustle fortune-telling business, which is a shame because that crystal ball I found on Amazon wasn’t cheap.
We’re on to Detroit. Let’s do this.
Myles Garrett will have 3 sacks
There was just something about Garrett’s energy at practice on Friday. He’s been the center of attention after saying there were no adjustments made last week and this is a week when he makes a statement.
He sprinted out of the locker room at the start of Friday’s session, prowled and paced during team stretch and sprinted into the locker room after. Scott Patsko laid out why the Browns should be able to get pressure in outlining how Garrett could break the team’s single-season sack record on Sunday afternoon. He’ll do it and he’ll leave no doubt.
It’s a big day for Garrett leading into a Sunday night game in Baltimore when he’ll have a chance to cement himself as the front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year.
David Njoku will catch a touchdown pass
Njoku called the play on Sunday against New England when the ball was ripped out of his hands a “lazy play.” Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said the teaching point from the play was simple.
“It cost him a touchdown,” Van Pelt said. “That is the lesson that he learned on that one is that you have to finish every play with the intensity until the play is over. He will learn from that, no question.”
The Lions have been fine against tight ends this season, but they gave up four catches for 78 yards to George Kittle in Week 1, five for 109 to Mark Andrews in Week 3, and six for 72 to Dallas Goedert in Week 8. The Browns don’t have a tight end in the same class as those three, but if you target your tight ends they’ll get catches.
This feels like a good week for Njoku to bounce back from a bad day in New England.
Demetric Felton will get four targets
The Browns need receiver help and Felton is more receiver than running back at this point. The most targets Felton has received this season is three on two occasions. He had just one target each against Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.
This could be a week when Felton gets involved as the Browns try to get something going outside of their running backs and tight ends.
Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio
NFL picks
Here are a couple picks I like this week.
Colts (+7) over Bills: Life on the edge is watching Carson Wentz against one of the AFC’s preseason favorites. The Colts are 5-2 in their last seven, even if those five are unimpressive. Their two losses were to the Ravens by six -- in a game they should have won -- and the Titans by three in Derrick Henry’s last game.
Buffalo has won by big numbers, but this game feels like a close one -- and, frankly, the Colts should be the more desperate team.
Ravens (-6) over Bears: OK ... bear with me on this one. Lamar Jackson said he was feeling great after dealing with an illness during the week. Then, on Saturday, he was downgraded to questionable with an illness.
Baltimore is coming off 10 days stewing over their loss to the Dolphins. Chicago had a bye after a strong showing against Pittsburgh, but let’s ride with the angry Ravens and Jackson re-finding the form that had him squarely in the MVP discussion.
The catch: this is if Jackson plays. If we were playing with real money here, I’d just stay away this far from kickoff without knowing.
Get the latest Browns merchandise: Here’s where you can order Cleveland Browns gear online, including jerseys, T-shirts, hoodies, hats and much more.
More Browns coverage
After a rough week, what is the big picture? Terry’s Talkin’
How close is Garrett to Browns’ single-season sack record?
Give ‘beat up’ Mayfield a week off: Pluto
Five things to know about Lions QB Tim Boyle
Garrett: There was never a rift with DC Woods
Four years later, Browns and Lions have switched places
Chubb, Felton activated off COVID-19 reserve
Bold predictions for Browns-Lions: Podcast
Van Pelt: Browns struggle when forced to pass: Takeaways
Mayfield’s future with Browns a two-way street: Cabot
Ad Choices