More Njoku Could Be Key To Success Against Cardinals
Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire via USA TODAY Sports
Last week, yet again, the Cleveland Browns snatched a loss from the jaws of victory. The Browns blew a chance to claim second place in the division, thanks to a dart straight into Jamaal Adams’ helmet that resulted in a PJ Walker interception. Let’s look on the bright side though, Cleveland has a chance now to move to 5-3 going against the 1-7 Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals are coming off their fifth straight loss after losing a home game against the Baltimore Ravens, 24-31. This was the last game by former Browns backup QB Josh Dobbs for the Cardinals, as he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings after Kirk Cousins’ season ending injury, so sadly no homecoming for Dobbs. Here’s what to look for in a game where the Browns are eight points favorites.
Njoku must be targeted more
David Njoku has been one of the most talented tight ends in the league over the past handful of seasons, despite not being utilized to his full potential. Last week against the Seahawks, with Walker at QB, Njoku had one of his best games in a Browns uniform. Whenever he got the ball in his hands, he was unstoppable, running four of his receptions for an average of 19.2 yards.
Along with a touchdown, Njoku would have been the MVP of the game if the Browns did not blow it at the end of the game. The Cardinals defense hasn’t been statistically nice to tight ends this season, but that may be due to the teams defense against wide receivers, allowing 176 yards per game against opposing receivers. With that being said, Njoku is practically the Browns’ number two option at WR after getting rid of Donovan Peoples-Jones at the deadline.
The former Miami Hurricane needs to build off of last games amazing performance and allow the offense to start putting pedal to the metal. Njoku had barely been used the entire year, but when he is it’s almost always a big play. Along with Amari Cooper, if Njoku puts the work like he did against the Seahawks, against the Cardinals, the Arizona defense will be pounded into the ground.
Offense needs to get it together, no matter who is at QB
Over the past four weeks, the Browns’ quarterback situation has been a nightmare. Despite rotating between DeShaun Watson, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and PJ Walker, the team somehow came out of that stretch 2-2. These types of wins are not sustainable by the Browns, so no matter who the QB is next week, the offense needs to get things together.
There is no better opponent to get things on track with the offensive side of the ball however than the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals do not rank above 20th in any notable defensive stat this season, some of the important ones being opponent points per game and opponent yards per game. The Arizona defense lets up 26.6 points per game, 27th in the NFL, and 355.8 yards per game, 26th in the NFL.
The dominant Cleveland defense cannot be doing all the work picking up the scraps of our lackluster offense. Defense wins championships, but not when the defense is out there for most of the game. Over that four-game stretch, the team has gone up against some top defenses, so finally having a break against a bottom feeder team with a mediocre defense should prove to be the spark the offense needs.
Do not let the Cardinals stay in the game
The Arizona Cardinals have stayed relatively close in most of the games they have played this year, despite being only 1-7 (that one win coming against the now 5-2 Dallas Cowboys). All of the games they had stayed close in, opposing teams were able to separate themselves from the cardinals in the fourth quarter.
As simple as it may sound, that is the most important thing for the Browns to do against the Cardinals this week, do not let them stay in the game. Every opponent Arizona has faced seems to overlook them due to their talent level and record. Considering Cleveland needs this win to stay in the playoff hunt and not drop to last in the division, they need to treat the Cardinals like they’re an undefeated team.
It may be easier for the Browns to do so than other teams that have faced the Cardinals because of Arizona’s loss of Joshua Dobbs. Now, the Browns defense has the opportunity to go up against either rookie QB Clayton Tune, or the former starter Kyler Murray who is rumored to be coming back from his season ending injury last season. Tune has been talked about as the expected starter, so don’t expect a Murray lead offense this Sunday.
Up Next