The Cleveland Browns are looking to bounce back this weekend after a disappointing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a result, the Browns dropped from first place in their division to third place as a result of that loss. Fortunately, they get to play the 2-5 New Orleans Saints this weekend, which should give them a good chance to stay in the thick of the AFC North race.
It will have to be a better showing from the Browns offense this week. Scoring six points isn’t going to beat anyone in this league. Hopefully, going against the defense that allows the fourth most points per game will kickstart things this weekend.
Here are the Browns' three offensive keys vs. the Saints.
Ease Sanders in with high-percentage passes
With Deshaun Watson in concussion protocol, it is looking like second-year
quarterback Shedeur Sanders will be starting this week. It’s always an uphill battle to win with a backup quarterback, so the coaching staff has to do everything they can to make life easy for him. Fortunately, the Saints will be helping with that as well.
New Orleans allows the seventh most passing yards per attempt in the NFL this year. They also allow the tenth-highest completion percentage. Ideally, Sanders can get the ball out of his hands quickly and allow his playmakers to make plays against a defense that is below average. It doesn't have to be fancy, just take the easy stuff that's there.
Pound the rock
The Saints allow the fourth most yards per rushing attempt. They have also allowed the second most rushing touchdowns in the NFL this year. This is a team that has proven that if you punch them in the mouth, then they will crumble.
Unfortunately, the Browns aren’t great at running the ball. They rank bottom ten in both yards per carry (tied 10th worst) and rushing touchdowns (tied 8th worst). It’s a classic matchup of stoppable force vs. moveable object, but despite this, Cleveland still has to force the Saints to prove they can stop this rushing attack.
Protect the edge
Last week I talked about how strong the Steelers edge rushers are and that the Browns need to help their offensive tackles. This week the prescription isn’t any different. While the Saints don’t have the name cachet of a T.J. Watt, the combination of Chase Young and Carl Granderson and their 12.5 combined sacks are nothing to sneeze at.
Tight end chips and running backs helping in pass protection will be important. Especially keying in on Young, who has become one of the league's better pass rushers after a slow start to his career.
In a game where you are starting a backup quarterback, you have to make him feel as comfortable as possible. That starts in pass protection.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: 3 Offensive keys for the Browns in Week 9 against the Saints
