5 reasons the Cleveland Browns will upend the Colts in Week 5.
The Cleveland Browns return home to play the Indianapolis Colts riding a three-game winning streak.
Fortunately, they’ll be able to celebrate by playing in front of 12,000 fans, as the organization was given permission to double its crowd-size.
The Browns haven’t been 3-1 to start a campaign since Butch Davis and Tim Couch were taking names during the 2001 season, and, as we all know, the current roster is vastly better than we saw during in the new millennium.
With the Browns riding a wave of success, the team is slowing moving up national power rankings (as high as No. 9 in one) and getting more run on the daily sports talk shows on that four-letter network.
That said, they’re still not getting the respect they may deserve. Many view the Colts as a real test for the upstart Browns. I’ve seen the Colts favored by 1.5 on some sites, as clearly, some are still hesitant to jump on the Browns’ bandwagon based off the opponents they’ve beaten.
And that’s fair. Beating Cincinnati, Washington and a Dallas team with no defense doesn’t automatically make you a Super Bowl contender.
That said, the Browns are in contention for a playoff spot, and they’ll get to find out a lot about themselves against a good indy football team.
Here’s five reasons Cleveland will upend the Colts and move to 4-1 on the season.
1. Browns can overcome Chubb injury
As long as Kareem Hunt can start and stay healthy, the Cleveland Browns should be able to overcome the MCL (knee) injury to Nick Chubb.
Hunt was outstanding when asked to replace Chubb, even though he was limited throughout the week with a groin injury. That setback couldn’t keep him out of the end zone twice, as the Browns ran rampant over the Cowboys.
And while Hunt looked great, he wasn’t even the best rusher not he team from a statistical standpoint. That honor goes to D’Ernest Johnson, who led the Browns with 95 yards on 13 carries.
Indy’s defense has been one of the better units in the league through the first quarter of the season, as the defense is first overall (fourth against the rush, first against the pass).
That said, running the ball is what the Browns do best. Rushing for over 300 yards as they did against Dallas won’t happen, but until the ground game, behind Kevin Stefanski’s zone blocking scheme can be stopped, Cleveland should be able to deliver via the legs of its running backs.
2. Colts banged up at LB
As the practice week commences, the Colts have just three healthy linebackers sitting on their roster. They’re best backer, two-time All-Pro Darius Leonard missed the second half last week with a groin injury.
The backers on the active roster right now include Anthony Walker, backup Zaire Franklin and a rookie named Jordan Glasgow, who had primarily been a special teamer.
The injuries are brutal for a unit that boast the league’s No. 1 ranked defense heading into Week 5.
The Browns could really do some damage via Hunt and the rest of the ground game with Indy decimated at the LB position.
Additionally, once the run-game gets going, Baker Mayfield should be able to run play action to perfection with none of Indy’s current backers being able to cover tight ends Austin Hooper or Hunter Bryant.
3. Myles vs Phill Rivers statue
The Colts boast a strong offensive line, but a storyline to watch heading into the game centers around starting left tackle Anthony Castonzo.
Phillip Rivers’ blind-side protector suffered a rib injury last week, and his status is unknown heading into the Browns game. He’s expected to be limited all week, with his status not not expected to become known until Friday or Saturday.
If he can’t play, Myles Garrett will have a huge advantage over whomever Indy coach Frank Reich decides to play, especially considering Phillip Rivers might as well be wearing cement boots in the pocket.
Garrett’s recorded strip-sacks in three straight games now, and the way things are looking, the former No. 1 overall pick may be looking at picking up his forth against the Colts.
4. Secondary gets a break
The Browns faced arguably the best wide receiver trio in the league against Dallas, and things went about as expected, with Dak Prescott throwing for over 500 yards.
And while indy quarterback Phillip Rivers is one of the league’s all-time leaders in passing yards, his current crop of receivers don’t exactly match up with what Cleveland just saw in Dallas.
First off, former Buckeye great Paris Campbell just underwent surgery for a PCL injury and has been placed on IR. His loss really hurts, as that leaves Indy with Zach Pascal and T.Y. Hilton. Hilton’s a recognizable name, but neither player has eclipsed 60 yards receiving in 2020.
Denzel Ward has been, by far, the Browns best player in the defensive backfield. His elite play should eliminate Hilton from being a major factor in the game.
Obviously, Browns’ fans will continue to watch the safety position, as Karl Joseph blew three tackles last week, while free safety Andrew Sendejo seemingly gives up multiple big-plays every week.
The Colts’ offense hasn’t scored more than two offensive touchdowns in 2020 yet, though, so it’ll be paramount for the unit not to make Indy’s offense look better than it really is.
5. The play-action
Kevin Stefanski’s biggest task in Week 5 will be effectively rushing the ball against a defense that’s hallmark–so far–is stopping the run.
The Browns don’t need to run for over 300 yards, though, to be successful against Indianapolis. Rather, the backs just need to be effective, because if they are, they’ll unlock the play-action pass for Baker Mayfield, which has been his bread and butter thus far in 2020.
Browns fans have seen what the run game can do, as Mayfield’s made 23, 23, 30 pass attempts, respectively, over the past three week.
When he is throwing, he’s hitting tight ends as linebackers bite on fake handoffs to one of the Browns’ many stellar backs.
If the Browns can get going, they should be able to send the Colts back to Indy with a defeat. As you’ve already seen, the Colts are banged up at linebacker. The Browns should be able to create huge mismatches with their tight end.
Long story short: The play action will create high-percentage throws to big targets, which should help the Browns move the changes to victory.