The Browns sorely need this game against the Chicago Bears today.
As a walking MASH unit, Stefanski’s men need a “W” and to have NO INJURIES today. Cincinnati’s win yesterday helped them jump ahead of quite a few teams. Time to “throw the hammer down!” (My sincerest respect for Mr Cav, AC!)
Here are the keys for the Browns today:
Browns need to contain a hot Justin Fields
This is the biggest game of your career today Justin. HOW WILL YOU RESPOND??
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— JustinFieldsIsDaddy (@JustinFieldsHot) December 17, 2023
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One of the things I mentioned before the season began was to watch Fields’ progression as a pro QB. An injury to his hand during the Minnesota game back in October has curtailed his progress this year. But he is a threat to run with a 5.1 average per gain.
He hasn’t thrown an interception since the 11/19 Lions loss, yet he has been sacked 32 times in only nine games started this year. That’s almost four per game! But he’s led the Bears to a 2-1 record over his past three starts.
This is the first of the back to back Ohio State QBs the Browns will face in the next two weeks.
Browns need to control the 2023 “Monsters of the Midway”
Montez Sweat has transformed the Bears defense very quickly. pic.twitter.com/LbpQb59o96
— Harrison Graham (@HGrahamNFL) December 12, 2023
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Montez Sweat has been fantastic for the Bears since his trade from the Washington Commanders. In five games he has accounted for 12 tackles, 3.5 sacks and ten QB hurries. This DL loves to shift and we saw how much trouble shifting gave the Browns in a loss to the Broncos.
Control their defensive line and you should see some holes in the run game. The Bears did lose Yannick Ngakoue to an injury last week, so bet on the Browns to identify where his replacement lines up.
As for the secondary, avoid Jaylon Johnson’s side. As the top corner according to Pro Football Focus, Johnson most definitely will hound Cooper all day. So let’s watch how Flacco surveys the receivers.
Pass Happy Flacco
For the Browns to win, Flacco and the passing game need to improve on the 55.1% completion rate. Look for more play action, especially since rain is in the forecast until roughly 2pm. Could be a day to start Elijah Moore on your fantasy teams.
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To keep the Browns as the best home team in the AFC, they need this victory today. It would place them at 9-5 and atop the AFC Wild Card teams. Betting wise, CBSSports.com has the Browns/Bears game as the best bet of the day. With a 60% success rate in the website’s models for teams to cover their spread (-3 for the Browns), CBS points to the Bears never winning three in a row since 2020 and the Browns success as the top home team in the AFC and their 9 out of 11 games covering the spread at home as their reasons.
Today would be a great day to distance themselves from the rest of the pack. And who knows? With a win and a Ravens loss to Jacksonville, this season of injuries and overcoming them might just lend themselves to an AFC North Championship.
My take? Browns win 27-13.
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