Browns get new worries during mini-bye in Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase

The Cleveland Browns got a badly needed victory in Week 7 against the Broncos, and with the Thursday night game in the books, fans got to check out a key AFC North matchup between the Bengals and Ravens on Sunday.
It’s never hard to root agains the Ravens, but this was really an easy call, as a Cincinnati win would drop Baltimore to 5-2, leaving the Browns just a game out of first place.
Well, Cincinnati delivered, and then some, hammering Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, 41-17, to tie the Dirty Birds for first place
Joe Burrow needed just 23 pass completions to hit 416 passing yards for the day–an incredible fete.
First-round pick Ja’Marr Chase is an elite player, and his career is just seven games old. He’s the odds on favorite to win the offensive rookie of the year award and he didn’t slow down in this one, catching eight balls for 201 yards. He contributed seven first downs and a touchdown to Cincinnati’s offense.
I’m worried. You should be, too. The Browns have taken good players since 2018. There’s concern with Baker Mayfield, but he’s won a playoff game. Jedrick Wills should hold down the left tackle spot for years if he can stay healthy. Greg Newsome looks promising. Denzel Ward’s had his moments, so we’ll say the jury is still out on him.
Browns don’t have these elite players at QB and WR
But in Cincinnati, they’ve nailed two elite picks in Burrow and Chase. Two important positions if you’re looking to win that trophy from Tiffany’s at the end of the season.
These blue chippers are surrounded by good players like Tee Higgins, C.J. Uzomah and Joe Mixon on offense. Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson was a beast on Sunday, totaling a sack and eight pressures, while former Sam Hubbard also looked all-world.
Now, the Bungles aren’t perfect. Far from it. There are still questions about whether their coach is the right guy for the job, and their offense line is suspect. Despite the team’s dominance on Sunday, PFF still regarded the O-Line’s performance as “mediocre.”
One of their former first-rounders, Jonah Williams, allowed a team-high four QB hits. Not good after what Burrow went through last season.
Will the Bengals get over-hyped after a stellar week against a first-place team. Of course, that’s how NFL coverage works.
Next. 5 Browns whose must step up against Pittsburgh. dark
But as a Browns fan, I look at Burrow and Chase and say “Wow”, wishing we had what’s blooming down on the Ohio River.