Three Predictions for the Cleveland Browns as They Take on the New Orleans Saints
The 6-8 Browns welcome in the 5-9 Saints into Cleveland for a Christmas Eve football matchup. The weather will be a big factor with temperatures dropping as low as 11 degrees. Three Predictions for the Cleveland Browns as They Take on the New Orleans Saints
Brad Stainbrook - December 22, 2022, 12:20 PM EST
3 minThree Predictions for the Cleveland Browns as They Take on the New Orleans Saints
Are you ready for some Christmas Eve football? The 6-8 Cleveland Browns are preparing to welcome the 5-9 New Orleans Saints into FirstEnergy Stadium Saturday when the two sides faceoff with first kick set for 1:00 PM ET.
Weather will be a factor this Saturday in Cleveland. With a winter storm approaching Cleveland as we speak.
Here are three predictions for Browns vs Saints:
Cleveland Browns vs. New Orleans Saints Predictions
1. Nick Chubb Will Rush for 100+ Yards
The Browns are 5-0 this year when Nick Chubb has more than 20 carriers in a game, and you should expect to see that again on Saturday. The current forecast calls for temperatures as low as 11 degrees during the game, with wind gusts as high as 50 miles per hour coming straight from Lake Erie.
All signs point to another run-heavy game for the Browns, so expect to see a lot of Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and maybe even some Jerome Ford or D'Ernest Johnson touches on Saturday.
Click here for the latest Browns vs. Saints odds
2. Deshaun Watson Will Rush for 30+ Yards
Running the football should be a common theme for both teams in Cleveland on Saturday. Quarterback Deshaun Watson rushed for 22 yards on 6 attempts last week in the win vs Baltimore, and I expect to see more designed runs this week given the weather.
Watson has the ability to extend plays with his feet, something we saw a lot in Houston and a few glimpses of here in Cleveland so far. Don't be surprised to see Watson running for some extra yards once again Saturday.
3. The Browns Will Win and Stay Alive
While the Browns need to win out and get some help from other teams, they remain mathematically in the hunt, something I don't see changing once this game concludes.
While the Browns would definitely love to see more continued improvement from Deshaun Watson this week, the weather may not allow that. The matchup Saturday will give franchise players like Nick Chubb and Myles Garrett an opportunity to step up once again and deliver big.
There's been a lot of talk about a dome and a new stadium coming to Cleveland, something I think should happen...but let's "enjoy" these cold winter games while we still can.
