With a Cleveland Browns Week 16 game scheduled for Christmas Day against the Green Bay Packers, NFL fans will get to enjoy a battle between two teams with big playoff hopes. Ahead of the Browns-Packers game, we'll be making our Browns Week 16 predictions.
The 7-7 Cleveland Browns have had an up-and-down season. They've been flattened by the New England Patriots but have also put a beatdown on the Cincinnati Bengals, who are tied with the Baltimore Ravens for first place in the AFC North. The Browns, like other teams, have dealt with their fair share of COVID-19 issues, as they were without head coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback Baker Mayfield for their last game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
After the tough loss to the Raiders, the Browns will have to take on the red-hot Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, who are looking to make a run at the NFC's number-one seed. Rodgers has been otherworldly lately, as he has an astonishing 13 touchdowns and no interceptions in his last four games. It won't be easy, but the Browns will need the very best performances from players such as quarterback Baker Mayfield and running back Nick Chubb, as well as defenders such as Myles Garrett, if he plays, and Denzel Ward.
The Browns can greatly improve their playoff chances with a win over the Packers. That said, let's move on to our Browns Week 16 predictions.
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Cleveland Browns Week 16 Predictions
4. Nick Chubb runs all over the Packers defense
The Packers have one of the better run defenses in the NFL, but Nick Chubb is the engine of the Browns offense. The Browns are 4-2 this season when Chubb exceeds 90 rushing yards, so their best chance of toppling a juggernaut like the Browns is if they can run the ball well with Chubb and keep Aaron Rodgers off of the field. The loss of center JC Tretter certainly hurts the Browns' prospects of running the ball well, though the talented back is good enough to find lanes even with a lesser offensive line. Chubb will show out on Christmas Day against the Packers.
3. Myles Garrett will not only play but add Aaron Rodgers to his ‘sack cape'
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is currently questionable with a groin injury but expects to play. As Garrett himself said, he “has no choice but to be great.” And great, Myles Garrett is. He has four straight double-digit sack seasons, including a career-high 15 this season. Garrett has his own ‘sack cape' that he wears with the names of every quarterback he's ever sacked. The Packers offensive line is down talented tackle David Bakhtiari and guard Billy Turner. Not only will Garrett play on Saturday night, but he will add Aaron Rodgers' name to his ‘sack cape.'
2. Baker Mayfield will return with 2-plus touchdown passes in a duel with Aaron Rodgers
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield missed the team's Week 15 game against the Raiders due to a positive COVID-19 test. Before that, Mayfield was the target of critics, who wanted Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski to bench him. Mayfield has also likely seen the rumors that the Browns are interested in Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Mayfield was just activated off the reserve/COVID list and will get receiver Jarvis Landry back as well. Mayfield will channel all of that energy from the doubters and go head-to-head with Rodgers on national television.
1. Denzel Ward will intercept Aaron Rodgers
At first glance, this doesn't seem like a very bold prediction. However, in 13 games this season, Aaron Rodgers has four interceptions. In his last four games, the Packers star has thrown zero interceptions. The man is practically allergic to turnovers. Well, Denzel Ward happens to have three interceptions this year and a defensive touchdown. The Browns defense may struggle to stop Rodgers- there's no shame in that- but Denzel Ward, Cleveland's best playmaker in the secondary, will intercept the Packers star.
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