3 reasons the Cleveland Browns will defeat the Cincinnati Bengals

The Cleveland Browns need a season-saving win over the Cincinnati Bengals

The Cleveland Browns need a win over the Cincinnati Bengals to keep pace in the AFC North, as well as keep their greater playoff hopes alive. The Browns were given two gifts at once, getting disgraced quarterback Deshaun Watson back from his suspension for sexual assault, as well as the Baltimore Ravens losing their entire offense in one fell swoop with the loss of Lamar Jackson.

The AFC North isn’t “wide open” just yet, but a win here gets the Browns’ proverbial fingers into the door at the very least. If the Browns win, they’ll be 6-7 on the season, and if the Ravens lose, that’ll join the Bengals at 8-5.

That puts them just two games back of the AFC North title. A win, regardless of the Ravens’ game, would put them in line with the Wild Card as well. The Jets hold the last spot and are 7-5. The Patriots and Chargers are right behind at 6-6. Should the Browns keep winning, and those teams keep struggling, the Browns can sneak into the playoffs with a wild card birth.

But none of that matters if the Browns don’t win on Sunday.

Three Reasons the Cleveland Browns can win vs. the Cincinnati Bengals

The Cleveland Browns aren’t garbage against the pass anymore

The Cleveland Browns can stop the pass! Well, they can stop the Atlanta Falcons’ passing game but the Cincinnati Bengals’ passing game? Well, just six weeks ago the Browns stomped the Bengals and sacked Joe Burrow five times. Sure, the Bengals are playing a lot better than they were at the start of the season. Heck, they’re 7-1 over their last eight, but that one was to the Browns. So maybe the Browns just have their number?

The Cincinnati Bengals are trash when it comes to running the ball

As the kids say, “miss me” with the Joe Mixon hype. He’s an average, at best, runner. He’s averaging just 3.8 yards per carry and his offensive line is no excuse. How do I know? Samaje Perine is averaging 4.4 yards per carry. There’s really little excuse for Mixon’s struggle, other than he’s just not that good and as long as the Bengals intend on using him, the league won’t respect their running game.

Deshaun Watson could always play better

I mean, I’m not wrong. Mathematically, it’s possible he does play better, and frankly, I don’t see how he could play worse. That was a rhetorical statement, this is Cleveland, we know there’s always a new bottom we can fall to.