After getting eliminated from playoff contention by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cleveland Browns would want to end their campaign on a high note against division rival Cincinnati Bengals. The game won't have high stakes on the line but capping the season with a win will surely be a goal for Cleveland. In this post, we are making our Browns Week 18 predictions.
With both sides missing their key guys due to injuries and COVID-19 protocols, the game is poised to feature the teams' depth players who would want to prove their capabilities on the field. Still, Browns fans are expecting their home team to put on a show and get a win for divisional bragging rights over their rivals.
Let's take a look at our Browns Week 18 predictions.
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Cleveland Browns Week 18 Predictions
4. Donovan Peoples-Jones will lead the aerial attack for the Browns.
Throughout the season, wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones has been flying under the radar as a dangerous threat on offense. Whether it's Baker Mayfield or any other Browns QB that is throwing him the ball, the Michigan product still sees himself leading the receiving unit on most occasions.
That seemed to be the case in Week 17 when Peoples-Jones topped all receivers with 76 yards on three receptions. He may not have scored a touchdown for the Browns last week but he still played his role well and served as a potent weapon for Mayfield. Unfortunately, it didn't result in a win for Cleveland but Peoples-Jones still deserves credit for his contributions on offense all throughout the season.
Fans can expect Peoples-Jones to notch at least 75 yards and score a TD for himself, especially against a banged-up Bengals defense that is set to miss a few players. It is surely the perfect opportunity for the sophomore receiver to take the lead and prove that he deserves to have a larger role on the team next season.
Click here for odds on the Browns-Bengals game, via FanDuel.
3. Myles Garrett will make a last push for the DPOY award.
Star defensive end Myles Garrett has been one of the bright spots for the Browns this season as he has played arguably the best campaign of his five-year career thus far. His production on defense always gave the team a major advantage in each of their games which is why he found himself being in consideration for the DPOY award this season.
Currently, the 26-year-old has generated 50 combined tackles and 15.0 sacks in 16 appearances. He also earned the third Pro Bowl selection of his career and broke the single-season sack record in Browns history with his current tally.
In Week 17 against Pittsburgh, Garrett had a rough outing as he only produced a single tackle without a sack recorded in that game. He will surely aim to bounce back against the Bengals and having a good performance can serve as a major confidence booster for him moving forward.
As of the moment, Garrett remains to be one of the frontrunners for the award, and making a last push in Week 18 will surely increase his chances of nabbing the first DPOY recognition of his career.
2. D'Ernest Johnson will be a major contributor in the game.
Backup running back D'Ernest Johnson showed some flashes of brilliance when he broke out with 95 rushing yards on 13 attempts back in Week 4. He may not be on the level of his fellow rushers in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt though he can surely deliver whenever his number is called.
In Week 18, both Chubb and Hunt are still uncertain to play against the Bengals due to sustained ribs and ankle injuries, respectively. This could give more field time for a guy like Johnson who rarely saw action due to the Browns' reliance on the Chubb-Hunt combination for the most part of the season.
If both rushers will be sidelined for the game then 75 rushing yards would be a realistic target for the former undrafted player. Like Peoples-Jones, it is also a chance for Johnson to prove his worth and show that he is deserving to land a contract extension in the upcoming offseason.
1. The Browns finish the regular season with a win over the Bengals.
With how the season panned out, it is expected that the Bengals would have an edge in a matchup over the Browns. However, Week 18 will be a snoozer for both teams as they are set to miss a handful of guys due to injuries and COVID-19 protocols.
The Bengals will be resting quarterback Joe Burrow in time for the playoffs while running back Joe Mixon and defensive end Trey Hendrickson are also sidelined due to positive test results for the virus. They will be joining safety Vonn Bell, linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, center Trey Hopkins, and offensive guard Quinton Spain who are all out for the same reason.
On the other hand, the Browns will be missing their QB1 in Baker Mayfield due to an impending surgery on his non-throwing shoulder. At this point, Cleveland is just healthier than Cincinnati which puts them in a better position to win the game.
Though not much is on the line for the Browns, they would still want to win the final tilt of the regular season to be able to end their campaign on a strong note despite missing the playoffs.
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