Cleveland Browns: 5 Bold predictions for Week 3 vs. Washington
By Samuel Teets
The Cleveland Browns can move to 2-1 as they face Washington in Week 3.
The Cleveland Browns enter Week 3 with a 1-1 record. The team’s win against Cincinnati in Week 2 gave starting quarterback Baker Mayfield a sorely needed confidence boost and have the Browns in place to stick with the AFC North’s top teams. Cleveland can’t lose against the 1-1 Washington Football Team and risk falling two games behind the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Browns have a lot of talent and not much to show for it. Week 3’s outcome relies on how Cleveland’s young stars perform against Washington’s dominant defensive front and questionable offense. A victory could send the Browns into their Week 4 matchup against the rising Dallas Cowboys with some much-needed momentum.
5. Garrett records two sacks
Myles Garrett is one of the best young defensive ends in the NFL. With Nick Bosa out because of a torn ACL, Garrett and Joey Bosa stand alone as the league’s future at defensive end. If not for losing his cool against Mason Rudolph and the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, Garrett would’ve earned an All-Pro selection and might’ve received some votes for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Two games into his fourth season, Garrett has one sack, three quarterback hits, and a forced fumble. He’s waiting for a spark. That ignition could come against a Washington offensive line that already allowed seven sacks this season. Dwayne Haskins is far from a mobile quarterback, and his offensive line is one of the NFL’s worst.
With Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff set to miss several weeks as he heals from a sprained MCL, Washington finds itself facing one of the league’s best defenders without its best offensive lineman. Everything seems ripe for Garrett creating some havoc on Sunday. With any luck, Sheldon Richardson will get involved, and Olivier Vernon will return from injury in time to contribute as well.