Game two of the Gregg Williams era presents another difficult test for the Cleveland Browns. The 4-4 Atlanta Falcons visit FirstEnergy Stadium for the first time since 2010.
Cleveland (2-6-1) will look to put a stop to a four game losing streak. The Browns are in search of their first victory in the month of November since November 23, 2014. The opponent that day, the Falcons. Williams believes his team is well prepared to face a Falcons team playing their best football of 2018.
“The preparation is good, the attention to detail is good and the practices are good,” Williams said. “Now, they have to play on Sunday.”
The Browns defense will have another difficult task trying to shut down the Falcons offense. It begins with trying to get pressure on quarterback Matt Ryan.
“He is talented, just like all of the others,” Myles Garrett said. “He can make throws anywhere on the field. So we just have to make sure that we keep him off of his game, keep him frustrated and get pressure on him.”
“I have seen him grow and grow and grow and have seen him be in charge of his improvement,” Williams said. “He is very accurate. You can’t fool those kinds of guys that many times. It is about execution and who can out execute each other.”
The Falcons receivers will be a handful. Rookie Calvin Ridley is emerging as the future go to guy for Ryan. Mohamed Sanu is a solid third option. Of course we can’t forget about Julio Jones, especially if rookie Denzel Ward can’t play due to a hip flexor injury.
“We have to understand from our attention to detail, being aware of where he is lining up,” Williams said. “You have to be much better with his physical and big presence. He has a body like a lot of tight ends in the league. He can separate himself from coverage because he is bigger than most guys who have to cover him.”
“They are a very talented group, starting with No. 11 Julio Jones obviously, (Falcons WRs) Calvin Ridley and (Mohammad) Sanu,” Ward said. “They have a lot of talented players that can make plays. So we just have to try to take those guys out of the game to the best of our ability.”
Atlanta’s running game is a two-headed monster between Tevin Coleman and Ito Smith. They are also threats in the passing game. The Browns defense needs to contain the duo if they want to enter the bye week on a winning note.
Sunday presents another opportunity for Baker Mayfield to make his case for offensive rookie of the year. Atlanta’s weak link is its defense. There could be plenty of points scored. Mayfield is a three time rookie of the week award winner. He’s been asked to let it rip by his head coach. If that happens, another honor could be heading his way this coming week. Mayfield is also not taking the Falcons defense lightly.
“Physical. They play so fast. You can see it on tape,” Mayfield said. “They swarm to the ball. Some guys are dealing with a couple of injuries, but they are having guys step up and play for them. They are playing well as a unit.”
The Browns are a six point underdog at home. The game will be broadcast by Fox Sports. Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber and Sara Walsh will call the game.
Scott Piker is the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Indians Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage.com. So follow him on twitter @ScottPikerSport
