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Week 9 Preview: Buccaneers at Browns
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-6) at Cleveland Browns (4-3)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at FirstEngergy Stadium, Cleveland – TV: FOX
*TV announcers: Thom Brennaman, David Diehl, Laura Okmin
*Keys to the game: The Bucs have to find a way to run the ball with more consistency as they continue to struggle to sustain drives and protect second-year QB Mike Glennon. Cleveland allows 4.8 yards per carry, and Bucs RB Bobby Rainey is seeing an increased workload with the coaching staff apparently losing faith in former three-down back Doug Martin.
The Browns’ offense is still working to recover from the season-ending injury to C Alex Mack. In the two full games since his injury, the Browns have totaled 108 rushing yards, compared to averaging 145 yards through the first five games. QB Brian Hoyer is seeing a heavy dose of eight-man fronts designed to stuff the run and dare him to push the ball vertically. His accuracy has been highly inconsistent, but Hoyer believes he’s poised to burn teams that overplay the run. Considering the Bucs’ are making a massive adjustment to their 30th-ranked pass defense, a breakout game may well be there for the taking.
*Matchup to watch – Bucs SS Bradley McDougald vs. Hoyer: The second-year player out of Kansas is expected to make his first career start in place of 2012 first-round pick Mark Barron, who was traded to St. Louis. McDougald had four tackles through six games and while his main assignment will be in run support, Hoyer will attempt to attack him and FS Dashon Goldson as the last line of defense.
*Player spotlight – Browns TE Jim Dray: With Jordan Cameron (concussion) out, Dray will see significant snaps. He has nine catches for 118 yards and a touchdown this season and is a superior blocker to Gary Barnidge.
*Fast facts: Glennon has a 52.9 passer rating in the first half compared to 106.8 in the second half when the Bucs are regularly playing from behind. … Browns OLB Paul Kruger has five sacks through seven games after recording 4.5 all of last season.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Browns split with Jacksonville and Oakland and must take care of their third soft spot in a row before the schedule begins to heat up with a Thursday night tilt at Cincinnati next week.
*Our pick: Browns 27-24
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