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Cleveland Browns vs. New Orleans Saints: 5 matchups that will decide Week 2

By Nick Dudukovich

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 07: Cameron Jordan #94 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after a sack during the game against the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 07: Cameron Jordan #94 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after a sack during the game against the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – AUGUST 25: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints gets past Craig Mager #29 of the Los Angeles Chargers for a first down in the second quarter of the pre-season game at StubHub Center on August 25, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – AUGUST 25: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints gets past Craig Mager #29 of the Los Angeles Chargers for a first down in the second quarter of the pre-season game at StubHub Center on August 25, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Denzel Ward vs. Michael Thomas

Denzel Ward was PFF’s highest graded rookie in Week 1, asa the former Buckeye lived up to the hype of being the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

And it just gets harder for Ward, as fellow Ohio State alum Michael Thomas looks to build off his 16-catch performance from Week 1.

What’s Ward to do?

He’s got to take the same approach he took against Antonio Brown. There’s just no shutting down that type of receiver, especially when you have a Hall of Fame quarterback throwing in your direction.

Brown still turned in good stats against Cleveland, catching nine balls for 93 yards and a score. However, it wasn’t the 200-yard, record-breaking performance you’d expect him to turn in against Cleveland.

Next. 5 reasons the Browns will upset the Saints. dark

Ward must make enough plays as to not let Thomas take over the game. If he can limit Thomas, the Browns have more than a punchers chance.

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