There was fairly a little bit of hype main as much as Thursday’s matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals visiting the Cleveland Browns. It was two first spherical total draft picks and Heisman-winning quarterbacks battling it out for bragging rights over Ohio in Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield.

Together with the hype got here a variety of questions. May Burrow proceed to maintain his cool beneath stress? May Mayfield lead the Browns to a victory in a must-win matchup after the punishment they acquired by the hands of the Baltimore Ravens? Would WR Odell Beckham Jr. become involved within the offense and eventually give fantasy GMs hope for the 2020 season?

Whereas a matchup between the Bengals and the Browns isn’t too thrilling on paper, the sport carried implications that would resonate all through the whole season for each groups.

A Run-First Mentality

This week noticed the Browns dwell as much as a run-first offense beneath new HC Kevin Stefanski. Chubb and Hunt rushed a mixed 32 occasions for over 200 yards and three dashing touchdowns. If we evaluate that to final week in opposition to the Ravens once they rushed 23 occasions for 139 yards and nil touchdowns, you possibly can see an apparent disparity.

To be truthful, the Browns confronted Baltimore’s protection in Week 1 who keenly remembered final yr’s matchup in Week four when Chubb rushed 20 occasions for 165 yards and three touchdowns by himself. The Ravens weren’t going to let that occur twice. The Bengals haven’t got the defensive chops of the Ravens and the Browns had been in a position to exploit it.

With a reliance on the run, among the stress on Mayfield eased. He accomplished 16 passes on solely 23 makes an attempt for 219 yards and threw two touchdowns. He did throw an interception, nevertheless it occurred within the fourth quarter, as an alternative of on his first possession like final week.

On the opposite facet of the ball, the Bengals struggled within the run recreation. RB Joe Mixon was ineffective, dashing 16 occasions however solely accruing 46 yards with out discovering the top zone. His counterpart, RB Giovani Bernard, rushed solely as soon as for 3 yards however caught 5 passes for 22 yards and practically scored a landing. Burrow was pressured to try 61 passes for 37 completions and 316 yards. He threw three landing passes and no interceptions, however he was sacked thrice for a lack of 31 yards.

The shortage of manufacturing within the run recreation in opposition to the Browns is troubling. In 2019, the Browns had been within the backside 10 in fantasy factors allowed to working backs, and allowed a rookie RB, J.Ok. Dobbins, to attain two touchdowns in opposition to them in Week 1 this yr.

Due to these inefficiencies, Burrow practically doubled his go makes an attempt and peppered targets to WRs A.J. Inexperienced, Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins, Mike Thomas, and TEs C.J. Uzomah and Drew Pattern. Boyd, Uzomah, and Thomas all scored touchdowns whereas Boyd and Pattern led in receptions.

Hope for Each Groups

Regardless of dropping the sport, the Bengals gained on a extra cerebral stage, watching their rookie QB stay cool and picked up after getting sacked a number of occasions. The coaches trusted him to make passes and take over on fourth down conversion makes an attempt. He used his legs to scramble, dashing seven occasions for 19 yards.

Whereas the matchup could not have been dazzling like final Thursday’s recreation that includes the Houston Texans on the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, it did usher in a glimmer of hope for each the Bengals and the Browns. Cincinnati made the appropriate selection with Burrow and he seems to be one heck of quarterback as he learns to play within the NFL. The Browns can breath a sigh of reduction at their victory and maybe begin trusting Stefanski’s course of and the expertise round Mayfield.

The Bengals go to the banged-up Philadelphia Eagles who misplaced their first recreation to the Washington Soccer Workforce.

The Browns will host Washington subsequent week, and we should always see one other recreation that includes Chubb and Hunt dominating the offense. With defenses scheming round a run-heavy assault, Beckham ought to see extra alternative to search out the top zone if the brand new Browns o-line can defend Mayfield lengthy sufficient to attach.

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Fantasy Implications

Clearly, you might be blissful should you began both (or each of the) working backs for the Browns. Each Chubb and Hunt are trending towards must-start standing, however a couple of extra video games in opposition to higher defenses will probably be a greater gauge. Both method, Stefanski likes to run the soccer, so the amount is there. Chubb dominated Hunt in touches so he’s the again to begin.

After final week’s disastrous loss and Beckham’s disappointing fantasy rating, this recreation was a welcome reprieve for many who drafted him. His future continues to be murky and also you’ll doubtless nonetheless maintain your breath if you begin him. It would take some convincing to make fantasy GMs comfy with Beckham of their lineup. If the offense can proceed on its present path, he might be the beneficiary of deep passes and touchdowns whereas WR Jarvis Landry will proceed to work the slot when wholesome.

I mentioned this within the offseason and never a lot has modified my thoughts, however I’m cautious of TE Austin Hooper. His manufacturing in Atlanta had so much to do with their high-flying offense. With so many mouths to feed, I’m afraid Hooper will probably be a increase or bust tight finish, trending extra on the bust facet. I might pivot or attempt to stream the place till he can show in any other case.

With a lot reliance on the run, Mayfield and the passing recreation could play second fiddle. Both method, if he avoids being sacked and throwing interceptions, he’s an intriguing play in two quarterback and superflex leagues.

Burrow is one other candidate for that place. I wish to hold my eye on his development. If he can restrict interceptions and turnovers and the Bengals’ run-game stays lackluster, he could have streaming viability shifting ahead.

After Uzomah was carted off the sector, TE Drew Pattern picked up the slack in targets. It’s clear the younger quarterback likes the TE place and he focused them usually.

As I discussed earlier, the run recreation in Cincinnati wants assist. Both Mixon and Bernard merely can’t get it achieved, the o-line wants to enhance, or each. In case you have Mixon, you probably drafted him within the first spherical. It is a near-impossible place to be in as a fantasy participant. Wait till Mixon has a very good recreation or two and look to commerce him. Don’t try a commerce now. His inventory is much too low.

Though Inexperienced upset this week by solely linked on three targets with out scoring a landing, don’t panic but. Burrow focused him usually through the recreation as he did final week. It’s only a matter of time earlier than the 2 begin getting on the identical web page. Bear in mind, these gamers have had no preseason video games and the Bengals have a brand-new quarterback. I believe Inexperienced’s manufacturing will come to fruition sooner quite than later.

I’m additionally intrigued with Boyd who dropped an early landing go however did find yourself hauling one in on the finish of the sport. In 2019, Boyd didn’t dwell as much as the WR1 hype with Inexperienced sidelined the whole season. That’s as a result of Boyd wants a real WR1 to occupy defenses to be productive. With Inexperienced again, wholesome, and getting concerned within the offense, Boyd ought to produce properly as a WR2 in the appropriate matchup.

Thursday Damage Replace

Bengals’ TE C.J. Uzomah carted off the sector holding his knee. … Payments’ WR John Brown totally participated in follow. … Cowboys’ WR Amari Cooper was restricted in follow with an ankle harm that popped up late on the harm report. … Saints’ WR Michael Thomas didn’t follow once more with a excessive ankle sprain. … WR Michael Pittman suffered a toe harm and was added to the Colts harm report. … Raiders’ WR Henry Ruggs didn’t follow. … Titans’ WR A.J. Brown missed follow with a bone bruise. … Steelers’ RB James Conner suffered an ankle harm in Monday’s recreation however is training in full. … Broncos’ WR Courtland Sutton stays questionable for Sunday’s recreation. … Denver’s RB Phillip Lindsay suffered a turf toe harm and is searching for a second opinion. He didn’t follow. … Buccaneers’ WR Mike Evans’ hamstring harm is getting higher whereas fellow WR Chris Godwin has entered concussion protocol and is questionable for Week 2. … Lions’ WR Kenny Golladay missed follow once more. … Jets’ WR Jamison Crowder is questionable for Week 2. … Eagles’ RB Miles Sanders practiced in full and needs to be a go for Week 2 in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams. … WRs JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson are totally wholesome after buying questionable tags Wednesday. … Colts’ TE Jack Doyle stays sidelined at follow. … Dolphins’ WR DeVante Parker was restricted in follow whereas WR Preston Williams totally participated. … 49ers’ TE George Kittle is not going to follow this week however could in a position to play in Week 2.

Fast Hits

Bengals’ WR Auden Tate was a wholesome scratch for TNF. … Steelers’ RB Benny Snell might have an elevated position in offense no matter Conner’s well being. … Jets’ RB Frank Gore was named starter after RB Kalen Ballage was signed.