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The Cleveland Browns are facing an essential must-win situation this Sunday when they host the Seattle Seahawks in their Week 6 matchup.
The Browns are coming off of an embarrassing 31-3 Monday night loss to the San Francisco 49ers and are now just 2-3 on the year with the New England Patriots looming after their Week 7 bye.
So, it would obviously behoove Cleveland to get a win now, or else it could very well be 2-5 by the time Week 9 rolls around.
The Browns' offense, which was supposed to be elite, has been an inconsistent mess this season, as it ranks just 22nd in the NFL in yardage and 25th in scoring. That will certainly need to change against the Seahawks.
Here are three predictions for Cleveland's offense against Seattle.
3. Nick Chubb Will Fall Back to Earth
Nick Chubb has been one of the NFL's best running backs over the first five weeks of the season, as he has rushed for 485 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per carry.
However, he will be facing a Seahawks defense that is allowing just 80 rushing yards per game this year, so it might be time for him to be as efficient as he has been.
Efficiency has been a hallmark of Chubb over his first two seasons in the league, as he also tallied 5.2 yards per attempt last year.
He will need to find a way to squeak out some yards against a tough Seattle run defense that will probably force the Brown to throw the ball more.
2. The Offensive Line Will Be Better
Cleveland's offensive line has allowed Baker Mayfield to be sacked 16 times over five games, which translates to 51 sacks over a full 16-game campaign.
That is, well, not good.
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Fortunately for the Browns, they will be playing a Seahawks team that has not been able to generate much of a pass rush thus far in 2019, as Seattle has totaled just 10 sacks through five games.
Outside of Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens, when Cleveland surrendered just one sack, Mayfield has been sacked at least three times in each game, including four times last Monday against the 49ers.
This week should look more like the game against the Ravens, where Mayfield had more than enough time to throw.
1. Odell Beckham Jr. Will Have a Big Game
The Browns traded for Odell Beckham Jr. during the offseason with the hope that he would be their No. 1 receiver this year.
They certainly haven't treated him as such over the past couple of weeks, as Beckham has accumulated just four catches in the last two games.
Of course, some of that is the defenses doing a great job of taking Beckham away, but Freddie Kitchens is also partly responsible for not doing enough to get the ball in Beckham's hands.
In order for Cleveland's offense to maximize its potential, Beckham has to be more involved. It's that simple.
Outside of Week 2 against the New York Jets, when Beckham caught six passes for 161 yards and a touchdown, the 26-year-old has been very ordinary this season, as he has snared 23 balls for 335 yards and just that one lone score on the year.
Look for the Browns to make a point of trying to get Beckham the football early and often on Sunday.
