The line on the Browns game is that the offensive line must be much better
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What’s the line on the Browns’ game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday NightFootball at Huntington Bank Field?
I don’t know, because I don’t pay much attention to that wagering stuff. It doesn’t interest me.
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However, if you’re talking about the line — the key, as in how the two teams stack up against one on the field, and not with a points spread — then I’m all in on that, and I have a strong opinion.
That is, if the Browns line — that is, the offensive line — doesn’t get its act together, then the tide is going to sway heavily into the Steelers’ favor.
I think the Browns can hold up very well against Pittsburgh in nearly every phase of the game. In fact, I think they have an advantage in most areas, including special teams.
But the one thing that continues to be a bugaboo is that offensive line. And although the Browns beat the Carolina Panthers 21–18 last Sunday, the line had more than its share of problems. It was the weak link, to be honest. I never saw so many false start penalties by a Browns offensive line than I did last Sunday. It was absolutely embarrassing. On every play, it seemed, there was a flag for a false start.
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You may be able to get by the Panthers with those kind of issues, but you can’t get by Pittsburgh with them. The Steelers have long used a pressure defense to hinder opponents. They rush like crazy at the quarterback and into the backfield, trying to wreak havoc on both pass plays and running plays before you can figure out how to block them. That philosophy has worked for 55 years.
Understanding that, then, if the Browns can’t even get the snap count straight, then those problems with the pressure defense will be exacerbated with long- and longer-yardage situations.
The Browns simply can’t afford to do that. If they don’t clean it up, then they are in big trouble. The line is where it starts on offense, because it gives the quarterback protection and opens holes to run the ball. That’s obvious. But the Browns need to run the ball much better, and they need to protect quarterback Deshaun Watson much better. If they can do that, then they will win the game and improve to 3–1. But if not, then they will lose. It’s really no more complicated than that.
We’ll see how it all works out Thursday night, but with the Browns also having some injury problems along the line, I have to admit that I’m a little nervous.
Whatever the case, it will be up to Browns head coach Todd Monken and offensive line coach George Warhop to come up with something that will work. These are the games and situations for which they are paid the big bucks.
Steve King
Check out 10 Things Cleveland Must do to Win Thursday Night
