Joe Haden Will Be X-Factor For Cleveland Browns In Week 8
By Nick Villano
@nick_villano
Richard Dole-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns have what many think is an easy matchup this weekend when they take on the last team in the league that does not have a win. The Oakland Raiders will travel to First Energy Stadium to take on the Dawg Pound. It seems like an easy matchup for the Browns, but so did the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, and the Browns ended up losing that game 24-6.
Saying the Browns’ season is inconsistent is an understatement, and now they face the worst team in the league. What do they need to do to avoid another letdown?
For one, they need to stop the pass, which lies on Joe Haden‘s shoulders. While the Browns’ run defense is the worst in the league, the Raiders have the worst rushing offense in the league. Of their 11 offensive touchdowns, nine have come through the air.
The Raiders have some weapons in the passing game. Derek Carr has been a lone bright spot on the tire fire that is the Raiders. James Jones and Andre Holmes have been decent the past couple of weeks. If this team is going to pull off the upset, it is going to happen through the air.
If Haden can play like one of the four best cornerbacks in the NFL, then there is no chance of that happening. If he can cover Jones all game like he has done to so many top receivers in years past, then Carr will be thrown off his game, and the Browns will get an easy win. That is what makes Haden the x-factor.
He played extremely well last week against Cecil Shorts. If he can repeat that performance, then the Browns will win. While it wasn’t that simple last week, the Raiders don’t have a fireball like Denard Robinson to lean on for one game. They are going with Darren McFadden, who has trouble staying on the field.
The defensive game plan should surround Haden and his eye-popping skill. They should try to mask their woes against the run by dominating the pass. This makes Haden this week’s x-fctor.
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