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5 Bold Predictions For Browns vs. Buccaneers

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5 Bold Predictions For Browns vs. Buccaneers

Tashaun Gipson Cleveland Browns
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

If the Cleveland Browns were a member of the NFC South, they would be division leaders right now. Instead, they are buried at the bottom of the fiercely competitive AFC North but have a chance to leap up in the standings if they can handle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8. Here are five bold predictions for the interconference matchup.

5. Buccaneers’ Defense Will Feel Recent Losses

Mark Barron Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

5. Buccaneers’ Defense Will Feel Recent Losses

Mark Barron Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

It was a busy week for the Tampa Bay front office, as the team traded away safety Mark Barron and depth linebacker Jonathan Casillas. The Bucs will have to adjust to life without those two young defenders quickly, but it won’t be easy playing on the road against a Browns passing offense that ranks eighth in yards per attempt.

4. Browns’ Running Game Will Get Back On Track

Ben Tate Cleveland Browns
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

4. Browns’ Running Game Will Get Back On Track

Ben Tate Cleveland Browns
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The ground attack that powered the Browns to a 21-point victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers has been absent in recent weeks. Ben Tate told the press this week that he thinks the issues will be solved on Sunday, and he has a point. Without Jordan Cameron in the lineup, the Browns will likely be employing the ground game against a mediocre Bucs’ run defense.

3. Buccaneers Will Jump Out to Early Lead

Mike Glennon Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

3. Buccaneers Will Jump Out to Early Lead

Mike Glennon Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t forget, the Buccaneers have also defeated the Steelers this season, so they won’t shy away from another encounter with an AFC North team. Look for the Bucs to fly out of the gate in the first quarter and take advantage of the Browns’ chronic early-games struggles.

2. Browns Will Take Over In Second Half

Mike Pettine Cleveland Browns
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

2. Browns Will Take Over In Second Half

Mike Pettine Cleveland Browns
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

This is a Browns team that pulled off the greatest regular season comeback in NFL history, so a halftime deficit won’t faze them. A third-quarter offensive explosion coupled with the ball-hawking ability of safety Tashaun Gipson making an appearance will power the Browns to 5-3.

1. Johnny Manziel Won't Play

Johnny Manziel Cleveland Browns
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

1. Johnny Manziel Won't Play

Johnny Manziel Cleveland Browns
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Reports out of Cleveland this week have re-stirred the Johnny Football pot with Mike Pettine acknowledging that he knows his rookie quarterback is frustrated that he isn’t playing. However, as long as the Browns are on the right side of .500, Brian Hoyer will maintain his status as the starter.

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