Really, who would’ve guessed that the Cleveland Browns would be where they are right now? In the preseason, they stand at a promising 2-0. While preseason isn’t everything, it’s usually something. This week, the Browns will play their first preseason home game of the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now, many people are high on the Bucs coming into this season. Some even have them winning the NFC South. However, there is a chance that the Browns could take them down inside Raymond James Stadium this Saturday. Here’s how they can do it. These are the Cleveland Browns keys to victory for week three of the 2017 preseason.
Cleveland Browns Preseason Week Three Keys to Victory
Take Advantage of the Defense
The Buccaneers will boast a downright potent offense this season. Third-year quarterback Jameis Winston will likely make some sort of jump. Additionally, pass-catchers Mike Evans and rookie O.J. Howard will absolutely be able to help him out. Doug Martin will return later this season after running into trouble with the NFL’s drug policy. So, the Browns probably won’t be stopping that Bucs offense 100 percent of the time. But they can try to get them into a shootout.
Although the Buccaneers have a great offense, their defense isn’t as marvelous. Gerald McCoy highlights a front seven that is improving, but needs a bit of work still. Vernon Hargreaves could make a second-year jump next year, but one man does not a good secondary make. At the end of day, the Browns should be looking to expose Hargreaves and others by taking the top off the defense. Corey Coleman, go do your thing. He’ll be one of the Browns keys to victory this Saturday.
Cement the Starting Jobs
Hue Jackson announced earlier this week that the starters would be playing for at least the entire first half on Saturday. What does this mean? Well, most importantly, DeShone Kizer needs to lock up his starting job. Jackson made the announcement this past Wednesday; Kizer is the starter for this game and, most likely, the season. However, that means that the job is now Kizer’s to lose. Although Brock Osweiler won’t be playing, Cody Kessler can still, somehow, someway, sneak in and steal the job. But Kizer’s main focus on Saturday should be holding on to his job. Truthfully, that’s one of the biggest Browns keys to victory for this week.
Test Your Mettle
The best part about this game is that it features two teams that have rebuilt in somewhat the same way. Both acquired the number one pick, spent it wisely, and both have (seemingly) found a quarterback that they like. Additionally, both are looking to build up a defense and then proceed to get their quarterback some weapons and toys to play with. It’s just that the Buccaneers are a bit further along in the process of rebuilding. So much so, that they aren’t really rebuilding at all anymore. However, this should be a fun test for the Browns and the coaching staff.
Can the coaches and players overcome a better team and pull off the upset win? Can the Browns seal a third straight victory in the “dress rehearsal” preseason game? And perhaps most importantly, can one of the teachers of the modern rebuilding process pass the torch to its most desperate student? Time, as always, will tell, when the Browns take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Saturday night.
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