What to Watch on Offense for Sunday

The Cleveland Browns will take on the Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday in what will be a critical early season test for the Browns. These are the things that I will be watching out for early on offense to determine our success in this game and moving forward.

Deshaun Watson's pocket presence

If I'm being honest this is the biggest concern for me with the entire Browns season and isn't solely about Deshaun. I have big expectations for Watson and the Browns offense this year but if certain things don't get cleaned up, it could put a lid on the outcome that I am hoping can be achieved.

I do believe it will be significally better than the last time these two teams played but I still have concerns from what I saw in the preseason. Watson seemed too eager to rely on his legs and bail out of the pocket the moment he felt pressure. In his defense, the starting tackles were being driven back too early on many of his drops.

I am hopeful that more live reps for the offensive line will help them get into a better rhythm in game. Watching Jedrick Wills this preseason, it looks like he is backpedaling too fast into his drop before he anchors and gets pushed back into Watson. It makes me wonder if having to face Myles Garrett everyday in camp has caused him to pick up bad habits in his technique.

Watson is very elusive back there and it leads to boom or bust outcomes. Just remember the pass against the Chiefs when he escaped to roll left and then deliver the strike to Cooper after he released down the sideline. It also leaves him susceptible to too many unnecessary hits from the defense while scrambling.

Much like with rookies overall, I think we are still waiting, even after the six games last year for the game to 'slow down' again for Watson. More specifically the chaos in the pocket. Since it has happened before I'm sure we will certainly see it again and when it does, it will be like a switch flipped to the on position in an instant.

When it happens, his feet will quiet down and his pocket movement will seem easier and more fluid. He may be close to this in live games but the offensive line has to do their part as well to provide a conducive environment.

Do Browns take shots at young safeties early?

The Bengals have big shoes to fill at the safety position after losing both starters from a year ago in free agency. Second year safety Dax Hill and newly acquired Nick Scott will have a lot of responsibility in defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's attack. Hill played only 17 snaps at safety as a rookie and Scott had one nice season as a starter with the Rams.

In last years game in week 14, the Bengals were able to stop the run effectively despite light boxes against Nick Chubb. If Chubb can pop an early run or two, the Browns could stress the young safeties on a few deep shots down the field off of play action. Marquise Goodwin certainly comes to mind in this scenario.

I'd expect to see at least one deep shot on the scripted first fifteen, which is something Stefanski has excelled at in his time as a play caller. If the Browns can jump out to an early lead at home, expect a heavy dose of Nick Chubb in the second half to take a load off Watson and the passing game.