Potential Trouble for Cleveland

The arrival of Joe Flacco to lead the offense represents what so far looks like a stroke of genius as much as desperation for the Cleveland Browns.

Struggling all year in the passing game with consistentcy even while Deshaun Watson was healthy, the Browns finally broke through last week with their first passing effort over 263 yards when Flacco threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-27 win over Jacksonville.

The Bears see this as a different kind of challenge than if they would have gone against Watson, P.J. Walker or Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

"Just physical differences," cornerback Jaylon Johnson said. "He can't run like the other guys can.

"So, I mean, just knowing who he is, what his strengths are, what his weaknesses are, but I mean he definitely still has a strong arm."

The Bears have faced a backup QB before already twice this season. They beat the Vikings with third- or fourth-string QB Joshua Dobbs at QB and beat the Raiders with Brian Hoyer at QB.

However, Flacco is a little different because of his 182 NFL starts and a Super Bowl victory. Still, he has only 1 1/2 game starting in this offense.

"We all know he's got a strong arm but hes been around a long time so his IQ is as dangerous as his arm," defensive tackle Justin Jones said. "You've got to make sure you're on your P's and Q's."

Facing a Browns team with an inconsistent offense and a defense leading the league but weakened by injuries in recent weeks, there are Bears who can do the damage on Sunday along the shores of Lake Erie.

1. DE Montez Sweat

Losing Yannick Ngakoue definitely doesn't help Sweat's cause as teams can find it easier to double-team the Bears edge. However, his combination of strength and speed will make him more than a match for either tackle he goes against even with help. Geron Christian and James Hudson are the tackles and are starting only because Dawand Jones and Jedrick Wills are on injured reserve. They both rank among the lowest rated tackles in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. It will be big for the Bears to get pressure because the Browns have been extremely tough when teams don't get to their quarterback. When they allow three sacks or l ess, they are 5-1. If Sweat can get pressure, then even if it doesn't produce a sack a composed veteran like Flacco will be on the move and at a disadvantage because he is a slower, pocket passer.

2. DT Andrew Billings

First down is always a big running down and the Browns this year have gained 5 yards on first down plays only 35.7% of the time, so they naturally tend to get behind the sticks. That's the worst percentage in the league. The Bears defense allows at least 5 yards on only 38.1% of first-down plays and that's fifth best. Billings has been the Bears interior plug who has made the difference on their first downs and second downs by upgrading the defense. He could be running up against either of Cleveland's best linemen, Joel Bitonio or Wyatt Teller, but his play against good guards all year has dictated the production of the NFL's second-best run defense. Cleveland will try to establish the running of

3. TE Cole Kmet

Most likely target for the Bears with the Browns likely to blanket and hide DJ Moore is tight end Cole Kmet. Jacksonville receivers Zay Jones and Calvin Ridley had only nine catches for 82 yards between them but tight end Evan Engram was able to get 11 receptions for 95 yards. The Browns were able to hold Cooper Kupp to six catches and 39 yards against the Rams, Courtland Sutton to three catches and 61 yards and the Steelers' George Pickens just four catches for 38 yards in recent games. They'll take No. 1 receivers out with their coverage but tight ends and secondary receivers can be open if the ball comes out quick enough.

4. CB Jaylon Johnson

Flacco's lack of fear about throwing deep against any defense so far suggests Johnson will have his chance at disruption again. Expect Johnson matching up on Amari Cooper. Johnson is graded PFF's best cornerback in coverage and best overall at the moment. He's picking his spot to make a play on the ball and in others is simply content with the breakup. Quarterbacks have a 47.6 passer rating against when they challenge him and 54% completions according to Sportradar.

5. RB Khalil Herbert

If he ever picked a time to get out of his current funk, this would be a good one because the Browns have been burned in the running game and big-play threats are the types backs who have done it moreso than the big, power types. Jaylen Warren had 129 yards against them for Pittsburgh. Zack Moss complemented Jonathan Taylor well in the Colts game against Cleveland with 57 yards. Denver also leaned on its backs to beat the Browns convincingly with Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine combining for 120 yards on 25 carries. The Browns can be run on and big plays on the ground can take the place of the big plays that seem to be lacking by teams against them. Herbert running in the B or C gap against the wide nine look could be a weapon in this game.

6. QB Justin Fields

The Browns rate among the teams well trained at stopping quarterbacks who run a lot, since they face Lamar Jackson twice a year and held him to 68 total yards rushing for two games. Fields can compensate with the passing game. Jackson beat the Browns defense once and had 67% completions in his two games against them. Fields will need to mix his runs with his throwing and avoid mistakes. This is the key for any win says Matt Eberflus and he couldn't be more right when the opponent is Cleveland. The Browns have a different defensive scheme than they used when Fields was sacked nine times as a rookie by them. Jim Schwartz's wide-nine look is well known now and the Bears should have a way to attack them. They've been giving up points in bunches the last three games with 92 points allowed, and all their injuries haven't helped. Safety Grant Delpit is another key player gone this week. Fields could exploit this if he gets time or buys it himself with his legs.

7. S Eddie Jackson

Jackson has been wondering when his time for takeaways will come because all the other members of the secondary seem to be getting them. This could be it. Flacco has no fear of throwing deep balls and several Bears defenders have noted it this week. Jackson playing back deep, helping in zone coverage, can have a huge impact in this game. Especially with safety Jaquan Brisker (groin) hurting, the player who could be in the right place if they can get Flacco disrupted and throwing downfield will be Jackson.

8. LB T.J. Edwards

Edwards has been around the ball as an off-ball linebacker in this scheme needs to be. With the Browns' timing not as effective between a new quarterback and his receivers, especially because Flacco came on in the middle of a season, a weakside linebacker can be disruptive as either a blitzer or in short pass coverage. Edwards is coming off one of his quieter games, as Jaquan Brisker took away many of his tackles by being aggressive all game. When he had a quiet game earlier this year against the Raiders in a win, he bounced back in a big way against the Chargers, with 13 tackles, two for loss and a fumble recovery.

9. WR D.J. Moore

It doesn't figure to be Moore's week as much because Cleveland's stingy pass defense will focus on him, and he is coming off an ankle injury. Still, he will be a player Fields will find on occasion on a big down and he has proven he's capable when defenses are taking extreme measures to stop him as he has over 800 yards receiving in the games when the two have played together. The fact Cleveland cornerback Denzel Ward has been out and is just getting back onto the field and into the flow after injury can be to Moore's benefit, as well.

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