Browns Preview 9/22/17: Cleveland Browns @ Indianapolis Colts

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

In week three of the NFL season the (0-2) Cleveland Browns travel to Indianapolis to take on the
(0-2) Colts. Last week the Browns lost 24-10 to the Ravens. The Colts lost to the Cardinals 16-13 in overtime. The Colts are without Andrew Luck and will be starting Jacoby Brissett, who they acquired from the Patriots in the preseason.


Browns Offense vs Colts Defense

The Browns offense has struggled in the first two weeks. The Browns running game isn't were it should be and it might struggle again this week. The Browns are 25th in the league in rushing and the Colts defense is ranked seventh stopping the run. Isaiah Crowell needs to improve going forward or his carries will likely decrease going forward. The Browns need some type of a running game to get going in order to project Kizer and the lack of weapons in the passing game.

Just like the previous two weeks, Kizer needs to get the ball out a lot quicker and make better decisions. Last week Kizer threw three picks and had a fumble. Fortunately for him this week, the Colts defense gave up over 300 yards passing in the first two weeks. So this might be a great time for Kizer to have a breakout game and notch his for career victory.

But it's not just on Kizer. The receivers have struggled in the first two weeks also. And with Corey Coleman out for the next eight weeks, the Browns need someone to step up like Rashard Higgins did last week. Kenny Britt is the elder-statesman of the group and has to prove he's worth his contract. Ricardo Lewis has played well at times but has his issues like any young receiver. And guys that were brought in to make an impact, Sammie Coates and Kasen Williams need to play more of a role. Hopefully with more reps with Kizer and knowing the playbook they can see an increase of a role on offense. And let's not forget that the Browns signed Jordan Leslie to the practice squad this week, and he could potentially be brought up to the active roster before Sunday's game.



Browns Defense vs Colts Offense

The Colts and Browns offense vs defense are basically identical. The Colts are going with a young quarterback in Jacoby Brissett who is basically their long-term backup going forward when Andrew Luck gets healthy. The Colts passing game hasn't been good to start the year. Heck, the Colts are already on their second quarterback to start the young season, Scott Tolzien started for them week one against the Rams. Last week Brissett only averaged 5.8 yards per attempt going 20/37 from the field for 216 yards and an interception.

Don't sleep on the weapons Brissett has at his disposal. T.Y. Hilton is a top receiver in the league. Jack Doyle is a solid tight end, and in the slot a combination of Donte Moncrief and Kamar Aiken could give the Browns defense some fits. There is also some speculation that number one overall pick Myles Garrett could make his season debut this week. He is out of a walking boot and riding the stationary bike during practice. The Browns could be without linebacker Jamie Collins who is in the NFL's concussion protocol.

The running game for the Colts is non-existent. Frank Gore is their leading back at 34 year old and has 88 yards in two games. The Colts also use former Brown Robert Turbin out of the backfield and rookie Marlon Mack to spell Gore at times.



Five Guys to Watch

DeShone Kizer: Kizer had a terrible game last week. It's just that simple. This week is another week for him to prove himself again. To show everyone he can rebound after a terrible start and play well against a team that is beatable.

Duke Johnson: Johnson returned to the backfield last week after spending week one in the slot as a receiver. With a lot of talk of Crowell wanting carries to prove himself, don't sleep on Duke Johnson. If Crowell can't get the job done, it might be time for the Browns to give Johnson more carries going forward.

James Burgess Sr: This one is pretty simple. If Jamie Collins can't go this week, Burgress is inline to start in place of him. Burgess has played fairly well in the first two week and maybe this an opportunity to show the Browns who he is.

I don't really have five specific players to watch this week, so I am combining number four and five and just saying the wide receivers in general. Someone needs to step up. Whether its Kenny Britt, Sammie Coates, or one of the young guys. The Browns lack of receivers aren't helping Kizer at all.


Weather Report: It doesn't matter...The Colts play inside...

Injury Report: 

Betting Line (As of 9/21/17): Browns -1.5


Final Prediction: Browns 17 Colts 14

Yes, I'm picking the Browns again this week. I think Kizer will do just enough to keep the Browns ahead but it is going to be the defense making a big play and either scoring points or setting up the Offense with a short field. Also I think Hue Jackson's playcalling will be improved this week because the Browns won't have to play from behind as much, if at all, this week.

On The Mark 12.8.14 #Browns Recap & Opinion

Brian Hoyer Ruins Great Defensive Play In 25-24 Loss To The Indianapolis Colts
By @MarkW2112

With this column, I usually write up a quick Browns recap with highlights or low lights from the game, give you my take and then say what's next for the Browns.  However, I'm going to just give you my take today.  We Browns fans already know how the game went.  The Browns defense was phenomenal against Andrew Luck but, because of the horrific play by Brian Hoyer and the offense, were exhausted by the end of the game which lead Luck to take advantage and score 18 unanswered points to win with 32 seconds left in the game.  So I'm just going to give you my take on Hoyer.

Brian Hoyer has no business being the starting quarterback for the last 3 games of the season.  This was a must win for the Browns today, so what did he do?  Play his worst game since the Jacksonville game in week 5.  He went 14-of-31 for 140 yards and 2 interceptions.  In 4 games, he's thrown 1 touchdown and 8 interceptions.  That is unacceptable.  Supporters of Hoyer will say "but he's 10-6 as a starter!  He's the reason why this team has a winning record!"  Yet he's also the reason why the Browns playoff chances are just about over with.  Jordan Cameron can say he ran a bad route on Hoyer's interception in the end zone, but upon closer look, he was staring down Jim Dray all along who was double teamed.  And while it doesn't help that Josh Gordon appears to not be in football shape, he had him wide open only to overthrow him by 10 yards.  Which was the same problem with Taylor Gabriel being wide open but throwing it over 10 yards in front of him.

The problem with Hoyer doesn't appear to be confidence.  It appears that defenses have not only figured him out but have also dared him to beat them with his arm.  He has had too many to count instances of balls going off defenders hands when they aren't being intercepted.  He either overthrows or throws behind his receivers, causing them to try and adjust on the fly.  The 2 interceptions he had again today has become an all too common trend the past few weeks.  This isn't just a slump.  This is a quarterback who is, at best, a career back up.

I thought Johnny Manziel should have started this week.  I screamed that Manziel needed to go in to get a spark today.  Yet Mike Pettine, the first year head coach of the Browns, refused to even consider putting Manziel in to game, according to what he said after the game today.  I don't know if it's out of loyalty to Hoyer for getting them this far or the fact that he doesn't believe Manziel is ready to be the starter for the Browns.  But whatever he thought going in to the Colts game should be thrown out of the window moving forward.  Manziel needs to start the rest of the season.  The playoffs at this point are probably a distant memory so why not see what they have in the Texas A&M rookie?  I (along with most Browns fans) would rather go through some rookie pains than seeing a veteran quarterback struggle to get anything going over the next 3 weeks.  I will also say that if Hoyer is the quarterback for the rest of year, I myself will not be watching.

Next week, the Browns play Cincinnati in the final home game of 2014.  If Mike Pettine is smart, he'll have Johnny Manziel be the one behind center.   We'll see if he is.

Leadoff with Lee 9.3.14

By @cleeverizon

-Despite a 2 a two run homerun by Carlos Santana, despite the Tigers being shutout from innings 3-8 and despite the Tribe heading into the top of the 9th with a 2-1 lead, J.D. Martinez hit a 3 run homerun to give the Detroit Tigers a 4-2 win at Progressive Field over the Indians. Carlos Carassco pitched 5.1 innings giving up 10 hits, 1 earned run and recording 10 strikeouts. The Indians pitching staff as a whole had 14 strikeouts for the game. Cody Allen have up the 3 run bomb in the top off the 9th to earn his 2nd blown save within a month and recording his 4th loss of the season. Tonight, Danny Salazar (5-6, 4.23 era) will face Detroit's Justin Verlander (12-11, 4.68 era). The Indians are 3 games behind Seattle for the last wild card spot. FYI: Indians tickets for the last 2 games of the Detroit series are going for as little as $10 on StubHub.

-Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert wants the NBA all-star game to return to Cleveland. The last time Cleveland hosted the mid season spectacular was in 1997. This is also when the NBA honored the 50 Greatest Players. If Cleveland can host the 2017 game, that will be officially 20 years since Cleveland had the festivities. And wouldn't it be nice to have all eyes on Cleveland with LeBron James having a all-star game in his own backyard? LBJ, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving would all be in their 2nd year of max deals. Downtown Cleveland and the surrounding areas have a lot to offer and is growing with massive improvements and renovations. Casinos, new hotels being built, the soon revival of the East Banks of The Flats, the vast array of dining and culture throughout and the Republican National Convention coming to town. Things are looking good for the 'Land. New York and Toronto have the All Star festivities in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

-Weeks ago, Under Armour offered Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant a 10-year $265-$285 million dollar endorsement deal. Nike told Durant and his represenitives at Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports that they would match the Under Armour offer. Durant should make $41.2 million dollars more than what he is being paid by the Thunder over the next 2 years.

-Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was suspended by the NFL for the first 6 games of the season and also fined $500,000 dollars after pleading guilty to one count of misdemeanor OVI charges. Irsay was pulled over for eratic driving. Toxicology reports showed he had Xanax in his system. But he was also found with pill bottles containing large amounts of oxycodone and hydrocodone. Also having over $30,000 cash on hand. People may say "Well Josh Gordon got suspended a full season and only failed a drug test". I agree, but owners are not subject to the same collective bargaining agreement as players. Now the "average Joe" like me or you, if we would have been caught with as much weight as Irsay did, we would be doing time under the jail. Prime example of "Money will make your problems go away".

-Wes Welker has been suspended for the first 4 games of this NFL season for testing positive for amphetamines. Welker appealed the suspension 2 weeks ago but was denied by the league. Amphetamines is the parent compound of the drug ecstasy or as the kids call it "Molly". I guess Welker was on his "TURN DOWN FOR WHAT" ish.

-Star defensive end J.J. Watt and the Houston Texans have agreed on a 6-year contract extension that could net him a total of $100 million. The deal that kicks in on the final two years of his current contract will keep Watt in a Texans uniform through 2021. He is guaranteed $51.8 million, the highest amount for a defensive player in NFL history. The $16.6 million annual value is also the most for a defensive player ever.

-The Kansas City Chiefs signed quarterback Alex Smith to a 4-year, $68 million dollar contract extension, which includes a $18 million dollar signing bonus. His salary for 2014 is $1 million dollars,but spikes up to $11.9 in 2015,$14.1 in 2016,down to $10.2 in '17 and back up to $14.5 in '18. $2 million in roster bonuses in '17 and '18.

-Michael Sam was cut by the St. Louis Rams on Saturday, but is on his way to Dallas for a physical with the Cowboys. The NFL's first openly gay player is expected to be signed to the Cowboys practice squad pending his physical results. In related news, the WWE has invited Sam to the September 8th episode of Raw. I expect Sam to decline this offer especially if the Cowboys sign him to the practice squad.

-The NFL and the NFLPA have begun talks to raise the marijuana test levels for the next CBA. It's very clear both sides see the need for the change considering it is the lowest out of all competitive sports. If this was the NBA, MLB, Olympics or the United States Army, we wouldn't even have this issue.

-Browns, Directv, Raycom. Ok I have been corrected on my previous tweets by saying Directv NFL Sunday ticket subscribers will be able to watch the game this weekend despite the contract dispute between Raycom and DirecTV. After further research, I found out the since it is a AFC game and the visiting team is responsible for the national feed the game WILL NOT be available. Unlike baseball to where you can select the local or visiting feed for announcers on different channels. NFL guidelines state it is the visitors who are responsible. But don't feel bad Cleveland fans. There are other markets that are owned by Raycom and broadcast NFL football games that are going through the same thing. Raycom had this same issue with Dish Network last year around the same time and a resolution was found. Too much advertising money will be lost by Raycom if they don't strike a deal. Companies pay millions of dollars to have their commercials shown during football games. Fellow DirecTV customers just need to remain calm.