Browns vs Dolphins could come down to Tua Tagovailoa and Jerry Jeudy
Happy holidays to those who celebrate. For the last time in 2024, the Cleveland Browns will host the Miami Dolphins for their home finale. Like the Cincinnati Bengals game, this game was originally a primetime game but it was flexed out to a late Sunday afternoon slot.
The game starts at 4:05 PM. Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber and Jason McCourty will be on the call.
Here are the two things to watch that could lead to a Browns victory in Week 17:
Make life uncomfortable for Tua
It’s pretty obvious. The last time Miami and Cleveland played against each other, it was a rout in favor of the Dolphins. Reason? Simple. Cleveland’s defense was unable to generate any form of pass rush which allowed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to have his way.
Granted, the times have changed as defensive coordinator Joe Woods is in New Orleans and Jim Schwartz is now in charge. As a whole, the defense has changed but it’s not the same defense it was last season. Is the defense bad? No. However, it’s better than what people give it credit it for.
If the Browns want a chance of winning this game, they must make life uncomfortable for Tagovailoa. Pressure him and throw off the timing with his receivers. The blueprint has been out there for a while and Cleveland has the personnel capable of getting it done.
Can the Browns get WR Jerry Jeudy the ball more?
We might as well discuss it. After the Browns traded away wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills, it opened the door for a wide receiver in a young wide receiver room to emerge as the WR1. Enter Jerry Jeudy.
Jeudy has eclipsed 1,000 yards this season and some of it is due to the quarterback play being better but most of it is due to finding ways to get Jeudy the ball more. How can the Browns get Jeudy the ball more this week? It’s going to be difficult.
With Dorian Thompson-Robinson starting this week, Jeudy will probably not get the targets he was getting with Winston under center. Jeudy was only targeted three times and had two catches for 20 yards last week against the Bengals. DTR has to find Jeudy and get him the ball. The Browns have to do a good job of moving Jeudy around and getting him in favorable matchups.