Cleveland Browns: 3 keys to victory against the Bengals

Run it up the gut with Nick Chubb

Nick Chubb got hosed by Kevin Stefanski in week one. A majority of touches went to Kareem Hunt, and Chubb was basically kept out of the game in the second half. Essentially nullified by the situation. Even more peculiar, Chubb, not Hunt, was often the third-down back. The running back who’s supposed to be a pass-catching option. Every time Chubb came in on third and long you knew he was either going to block or be the absolute last case scenario for Baker Mayfield. Hunt, on the other hand, is an actual threat in the passing game. Third and long or not.

So with the Cincinnati Bengals a bit thin inside on defense, Chubb, not Hunt, should be used to pound the center of the defense. Chubb was stellar running inside the tackles last year and if given the opportunity, can be so again in 2020. That means that head coach Kevin Stefanski needs to be aware of who’s being used and where. You shouldn’t be pulling Hunt out of the backfield on passing downs because you rode him for four straight rushing plays and now he needs a breather.

That’s supposed to be Chubb’s role in the offense. Let Chubb run until he’s sucking win, then put in Hunt. It’s a really easy idea.

If the team attacks the center of the Bengals defense, then the safeties start to cheat, the linebackers bunch up, and the defensive line starts going for the ball carrier like he’s got a pizza. That’s exactly what you want, as it sets up the second key to victory against the Bengals.