By Chris Terlop
Cleveland Browns (3-3) vs. Green Bay Packers (3-2)
Sunday, 3:25 p.m., in Lambeau Field
Browns
Last game: Lost to the Detroit Lions, 31-17 at home.
Coach: Rob Chudzinski, 3-3 First Season. Previously was the Offensive Coordinator with the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns
Series record: Packers lead regular season series 10-7-0
Last meeting: Packers won, 31-3, Oct. 25, 2009. This is just the third time the Packers and Browns have played at Lambeau Field during the regular season. Previously in 2001 and 2005.
League rankings: Offense is 24th overall (22nd rushing, 17th passing, 24th scoring), defense is seventh overall (seventh rushing, eight passing) and turnover differential is 0.
Offensive overview: This offense has been the definition of roller coaster this season. They started the year with second year players QB Brandon Weeden and RB Trent Richardson in the backfield. After an 0-2 start, they shipped the 3rd overall pick to the Indianapolis Colts for a 2014 First Round Draft Pick. They then promoted third-string quarterback Brian Hoyer to the starter, where he lead the way to two wins and tore his ACL in the third. Here we are at week 7 with the 30-year old Weeden with a second chance to show the new regime that he can be their quarterback. His first shot at a second chance did not go well last week, with two costly interceptions in a loss to the Lions. Despite their issues at quarterback, they do have a few play-makes on the outside. Second year player Josh Gordon came off a two-game suspension and has put up 429 yards and two touchdowns in four games and has star potential. Tight end Jordan Cameron started the season off hot and has cooled down since then, but still leads the team with five touchdowns. The running game is much like the Packers has been in the past, ineffective; veterans Willish McGahee and Chris Ogbonnaya will split duties
Defensive overview: Defensive Coordinator Ray Horton has morphed this Browns D into one of the best in the league, switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 in just a season. The defense is lead by middle linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, the longest tenured Brown. Young players Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor anchor the D-Line with free agent pick-up Desmond Bryant. Rookie Barkevious Mingo and free agent acquisition Paul Kruger have been consistent off the edges, also third year player Jabaal Sheard may return this week to add to that rotation. The secondary is led by one of the best corners in the league with Joe Haden and a hard hitting safety in TJ Ward. Buster Skrine is coming into his own opposite of Haden, but is young and can still be exploited. Tashaun Gipson is getting his shot at safety as a second year player opposite of Ward.
Special teams overview: Punt returner Travis Benjamin is the most dangerous weapon. He is averaging 12.3 ypr and has one touchdown. Coming out of college he was clocked at a 4.3 40 and with the Packers injuries, special teams will suffer. Kick returns Bobby Rainey has been taking over as of late with 24.5 ypr, he has the ability to break one, but isn’t as seasoned. As for kicking, the Browns picked up Billy Cundiff, as he tries to salvage his career, he has been 9 of 11 on the year, including 2-2 from 50+. Spencer Lanning has been thrown into the punting duties, averaging 44.9 per punt, but has landed almost a third of his punts inside the 20.
Hear Chris on Sportsline M-F and Saturday's at 8 am. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisTerlop
