Week 2 of the 2018 NFL season brings the Cleveland Browns to New Orleans to take on the Saints. Here are five bold predictions to sink your teeth into.
The Cleveland Browns didn’t lose to start the 2018 season, which is more than they can say for any year in recent memory. Of course, they didn’t win either as Week 1 resulted in a tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Things won’t get any easier for the Browns as they head deeper into a tough start to their schedule. Week 2 sends them down south to face the New Orleans Saints, who are 0-1 to start the season after being stunned by a magical Ryan Fitzpatrick performance.
Still chasing their first win since 2016, here are five bold predictions for the Cleveland Browns in Week 2.
1. Browns win, 24-21
Having previously predicted an 0-2 start behind Tyrod Taylor, I will now change course slightly and predict a Browns victory, although by way of another significant defensive outing.
If it were any other team in the NFL, predicting a win would fall well short of a bold categorization. The Browns, however, come into the game nine-point underdogs (via OddsShark.com) and face the top passing team in the NFL thus far. Drew Brees will provide plenty of firepower and may prevent this prediction from reaching fruition, but the talent on Cleveland’s defense may indeed be enough to turn the tide.
2. Tyrod Taylor’s struggles continue.
While No.1 target Jarvis Landry will continue to get fed, the rest of the Browns receivers will continue to go hungry for the most part. Although Taylor is known for protecting the ball, he is also known for an unwillingness to take chances.
Against a high-powered offense, such as the Saints, treading lightly will not suffice. As much as fans long to see Josh Gordon and Antonio Callaway light up the scoreboard, it will be difficult with Taylor at the helm.
I will offer an exception here in that a long touchdown reception may indeed take shape, but it will be in the form of yards after the catch moreso than Taylor’s own efforts.
3. The defense rolls on
For those who witnessed the six turnovers forced against the Pittsburgh Steelers, you may wonder what is so bold here. I offer simply, Drew Brees.
Following a 40-point losing performance, Brees will certainly be on a mission. Factor in his Week 1 performance of a staggering 82.2 percent completion rate and 129.5 passer rating and it becomes hard to invision a similar performance by the young Browns defenders.
While it is no stretch to assume Myles Garrett will continue to wreak havoc, the bold prediction here comes by way of Denzel Ward snagging another pair of interceptions.
4. Special teams are finally special again.
While the Cleveland defense has turned heads and the offense has closed eyelids, the Browns special teams have not-so-quietly been underwhelming, to be kind. Jabrill Peppers caught a barrage of slack by calling a fair catch without a defender within several car-lengths. In his defense, his blockers didn’t secure the Steelers gunner until the last moment, but it was a wasted opportunity nonetheless.
I expect that to weigh heavily on Peppers and in one bold swoop he will remedy that mishap with a return for a touchdown against the Saints.
5. You can run, but you can’t Hyde
Perhaps the title is misleading, because Hyde certainly can, and my last prediction is that he will. In an attempt to maintain the boldness I will suggest a total above 150 rushing yards for Hyde alone.
Add to that another 50 from the combined efforts of Nick Chubb and Duke Johnson and we are getting close. Lastly, another 50 from Tyrod Taylor and the Browns will finish the game with over 250 rushing yards. As icing on the prediction-cake, it will surpass their total passing yardage under Taylor’s command.