4 reasons Cleveland Browns will end road losing streak vs Bengals
4. Browns’ backs
If Duke Johnson‘s sitting on your fantasy team, start him, because this contest is shaping up to be huge one for Duke Johnson.
Cincinnati’s inability to cover the middle of the field should create plenty of screen opportunities for Johnson to gash the Bengals for good chunks of yardage.
The Bengals are coming off a week in which they allowed 265 rushing yards to Ravens’ team quarterbacked by Lamar Jackson.
Mayfield won’t run the ball like Jackson did, but I think the Browns’ ability to run the ball with an emerging Nick Chubb will keep Cincinnati on edge will open up opportunities for Mayfield to get Johnson the ball on short throws with space.
The running backs on the Browns have been given new life ever since their former coach, Freddie Kitchens, took over as offensive coordinator following the termination of Hue Jackson and Todd Haley.
Nick Chubb’s quickly emerging as a start, and it’s expected Kitchens will feed the rookie from Georgia early and often.
The Bengals run defense is last in the NFL, surrendering 153.6 yards per game. Marvin Lewis’ crew has surrendered over 230 yards three times this season.
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Chubb rushed for a 176 yards two weeks ago against the Falcons and is averaging 113.5 total yards per game ever since the Browns’ death Carloys Hyde to Jags Oct. 19.