NFL
By Jalen Willingham
The Cincinnati Bengals will open the 2023 season on the road to play their division rival Cleveland Browns for the battle of Ohio. This is a very good Browns team. It will not be easy for the Bengals.
When: Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio
Network: CBS
Offense
Joe Burrow is 1-4 vs. the Browns, and the Bengals haven’t won in Cleveland since week 4 of the 2017 season. Losing to inferior teams is never fun, but this is what’s been happening to Cincinnati.
Joe Burrow threw over 50 times in the season opener last year. The Bengals should steer away from that in 2023. The passing game will still be the Bengals biggest strength offensively. The Browns are ready for that though. This Cleveland secondary is solid all around with Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome, Grant Delpit, Martin Emerson, and free-agent pickup Juan Thornhill from the Chiefs. The Browns, if they are smart, will take away Chase and Higgins as much as possible. This can open up Tyler Boyd and Irv Smith Jr. to make plays in the middle of the field.
However, it’s still important to establish the run even with a revamped offensive line and top pass catchers. Joe Mixon will be used in the passing game but they must not abandon the run.
A key matchup to watch will no doubt be offensive tackle Orlando Brown vs. elite pass rusher Myles Garrett. I’m sure Garrett will make his presence known, but if Brown can slow him down enough for Burrow to get to his receivers, the Bengals should be fine.
Za’Darius Smith will also be another player to watch out for in the Browns pass rush. He and Dalvin Tomlinson complement Garrett very well. Cincinnati was 1-4 all last season when giving up four or more sacks. Staying under four total sacks allowed and keeping pressure off Burrow will be crucial.
Defense
This will be Deshaun Watson’s first full season since 2020. If it were up to me, he’d be in prison, but reality can be disappointing. The biggest question on the field that remains is whether or not Watson has truly returned to form. Will we see the Deshaun Watson that the Texans got or will it be more of what we saw last year in 2022?
Even with Watson, they will still look to establish the run with Nick Chubb. This is where nose tackle D.J. Reader makes his money causing trouble up front. Cincinnati’s front seven is ready to take on whatever Cleveland throws at them in the running game.
The passing game features Amari Cooper as the top option along with Donovan Peoples-Jones as the number 2 receiver and a solid David Njoku at tight end. Elijah Moore could also be a big playmaker to watch. I like how the Bengals cornerbacks match up here. Chidobe Awuzie will be back to start on week one as he will be matched up with Amari Cooper. Cam-Taylor Britt will most likely be matched up with Peoples-Jones.
Watson may test the Bengals new safety room early especially if they can’t get going on the ground. This will only be Daxton Hill’s third official start in an NFL game. Nick Scott, even with Super Bowl experience, isn’t really striking fear in anyone. The young secondary has to limit the big plays and keep Cooper contained as well.
Prediction
Bengals win 24-17
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