Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - DUEL: Joe Burrow vs. Browns' FIERCE Pass Rush | Can Bengals O-Line Protect Their Star?

Episode Date: September 3, 2025

Can the Cincinnati Bengals overcome their history of slow starts in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns? Joe Burrow and the Bengals face a formidable challenge in Myles Garrett and the Browns' fierce defensive line, while Ja'Marr Chase's matchup with Denzel Ward always provides fireworks. James Rapien and Locked On Browns' Spencer German break down key battles, potential strategies, and the impact of Joe Flacco leading the Browns' offense. From protecting Burrow to controlling the clock, both teams have clear paths to victory. We cover every angle of this year's Week 1 AFC North clash in Cleveland!Join the Locked On Bengals Insider Community! https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonbengalsFind and follow Locked On Bengals on your favorite podcast platforms:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/locked-on-bengals-daily-podcast-on-the-cincinnati-bengals/id1159723162Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7AObc0lh0WmQl5fJVgtajsGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vbG9ja2Vkb25iZW5nYWxz?sa=X&ved=0CAYQrrcFahcKEwio_sXtj8nuAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAgStitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/locked-on-bengalsListener SurveyWe’ve put together a survey to learn more about our listeners and make your favorite podcasts even better. Go to https://lockedonpodcasts.com/survey/ to get started. Everyone who completes a survey will be entered for a chance to win one of ten $100 Amazon gift cards.   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!DoorDashWith DoorDash Streaks, you save every Saturday you order — stack it up all season and you could save up to $250. Order this Saturday. Keep the streak alive. Fuel your gameday — only with DoorDash. Terms apply. Promo period through 11/18.Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnfl for 50% off your first year.UpsideDon’t let this offer drive on by, download the free Upside app now using my limited time promo code TOUCHDOWN for a limited time 25 cent per gallon bonus! Offers vary by user and location, Go to upside.com for terms and conditions.Click Here to download the app: https://getupside.onelink.me/zlLr?af_xp=custom&pid=barrington&c=barrington_lockedon25&deep_link_value=promo&deep_link_sub1=lockedon25&af_dp=upsideapp%3A%2F%2FYahoo FantasyPresented by YahooFantasy #YahooPartner. Draft now at https://yahoofantasy.com/lockedonnfl.PrizePicksDownload the PrizePicks app today and use code LOCKEDONNFL to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelRight now, new customers can bet just FIVE dollars and if your bet wins—you’ll get THREE HUNDRED dollars in bonus bets to use across the app.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Browns are primed to play spoiler to the Bengals in week one. Meanwhile, Joe Burrow and the Bengals are eyeing a fast start. It's time for crossover Thursday right here on Locked on Bengals and Locked on Browns. You are locked on NFL crossover. Part of the Locked on podcast network. Your team every day. Welcome in. It's a crossover event between Locked on Browns and Locked on Bengals, the two teams squaring

off in week one to over. open up the 2025 season. And it's two teams really that are expected to be headed in opposite directions. Bengals very much in the playoff, maybe even Super Bowl conversation with Joe Burrow. Browns are in the conversation and maybe have the first overall pick next year. But they clash in week one with some exciting storylines, which will break down with you, including whether or not the Bengals can get off to a fast start this season. We'll also look at some key matchups and reveal each team's path to victory.

First and foremost, though, this crossover Thursday is presented by Price Picks. Download the Price Picks app today and use code locked on NFL to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup. James, let's start with what you teased in our cold open there, just the idea that this Bengals team, since Zach Taylor's been here, has really struggled to get off to hot starts of the season. Last two years, one and three to begin the year. the only year they've won, they've been a better than 500 in the first four games of a season was the year they went to the Super Bowl in 2021, but they have seemed to really prioritize changing that this year. Where do things stand? And how was this team sort of approach the

preseason and training camp to try to buck that trend that we've seen in recent years? Yeah, it's been the theme of the offseason, for sure. And dating back to January, when Zach Taylor made the call to fire Lou Aneromo and multiple other coaches that were under contract. And he mentioned it that day, hey, we have to start faster. We have to be better early in the season. And it makes sense. And it makes sense for a few reasons. One, the Bengals are really good at playing their best football when it matters. But good teams win games when they're not playing their best football. And the Bengals have struggled to do that in recent years. Joe Burroughs' health, a part of that last year in week one, they go up against the New England team that they should

have crushed. They should have crushed. Maybe the worst head coach and coaching staff top to bottom in the league, not a ton of talent. And they lose to Jacoby Brissette. And the offense struggles. And that's not the Belichick defense that we've known. And maybe Mike Rable's defense, they sure will be good. Who knows? But that defense wasn't. So they've tweaked some things, training camp. They moved their practices to the morning. Joe Burrow played in the preseason. He completed 18 of 24 passes, led them to touchdown drives on all but one of his possessions, and that was with the backup skill player.

So they've done everything they can to start fast. They're healthy going into Sunday's game. We'll see. But yeah, starting fast has been the theme all offseason and certainly is a theme this week going into Sunday. Yeah, and it's interesting as you get into like the things that Zach Taylor's done differently, this training camp to try to combat that issue.

The Browns have sort of seen some similar things as well, some similar changes as well. Kevin Sofansky, I think, realized last year that he sort of ran this sort of, I don't, maybe cupcakes the wrong word, but like a more patty cake style training camp where the goal was, let's just keep everybody in bubble wrap, not get anybody hurt. Let's, you know, let's prioritize that over the physicality of football and getting guys sort of ramped up for the season. And he's changed the way that he went about his training camp as well, where there was actual tackling this year at training camp for the Browns. there was making sure guys the first team offense got a chance to play,

particularly in that third preseason game and they had a set amount of plays they were going to play. And they saw all through that amount of plays. In the second preseason game, you saw some of the starters, or sorry, the first preseason game, you saw some of the starters kind of get out there and play a little bit. But he sort of, he navigated that a little bit differently. It was more physical.

There was more time spent trying to really work on certain key situations and doing it at a high level. You can tell the coaches had a different intensity about the way things are being run as well. And so it is almost these two prevailing mindset changes that are going to sort of meet here in week one. And I think it's interesting because, you know, of course, when you look at these two teams on paper,

nobody's going to sit there and say that the Browns should win this game and that they have a chance to win this game. But at the same time, it's a division opponent. It's a division rivalry, two teams that know each other very well. and for whatever reason, on top of the Bengals slow starts, aside from last year where the Bengals obviously swept Cleveland, the Browns have fared decently well against Joe Burrow and Zach Taylor in recent years, which is part of the reason why I feel like this is a really good opportunity for the Browns

in a season that I'm not expecting a lot of wins, maybe can steal one a week one because the Bengals tend to have some struggles figuring out their identity early. And so that's why this is the ultimate measuring stick. did all these things that Zach Taylor implemented fast start-wise, Joe Burrow playing in the preseason, will it pay off? Because, and I don't think this is controversial, the Bengals should beat the Brown Sunday. I'm not saying they will, but they should.

One has Joe Burrow, the other has Joe Flacco. You know, and you just go down the list. And we can get into matchups because there are some juicy matchups, and that's why I think the Browns have been a thorn in the Bengals side. But, yeah, it's, To me, I'm like, all right, well, if this defense is any better in Cincinnati, they should be able to go to Cleveland and slow down Joe Flacco in that offense. In that running game led by Jerome Ford potentially for week one. And so that that's reasonable.

That's a reasonable thing that a good team would be able to do, even if they're not great on defense. And then offensively, they should have enough answers to where they can still generate points, even if some of those things that the Browns have been able to do in recent years, which we'll get into. do come to fruition and they do that again and are able to get after Joe, even if those things happen, the Bengals should have answers to them if they are this playoff team, if they did do enough to start fast. And so we'll see. It's one thing to say,

well, on paper, and it's a whole other thing to go out there and do it. And I think that's what's so interesting about this matchup on Sunday. Yeah, no, 100%. And especially on paper when you have the quarterback that the Bengals have, of course, Everyone's going to look and say when you have that guy under center, you should win. And I do think that is the one thing.

The Browns are not built to win a shootout style game. And if that's what this becomes because I do have some doubts about how good the Bengals defense is going to be, then yeah, I think Joe Burrow has a chance to, you know, really pull this thing out at the end, even potentially with a game winning drive because that's what he does best. He's great in crunch time. And he's one of the best quarterbacks in this league. but if that defensive line for the Browns, which I know we'll talk more specifically about matchups here coming up,

it can do what they've done to Joe Burrow in the past, keep it close. My big thing this entire offseason about the Browns and why I think this year, I get, listen, I get why the conversations around this team are, well, hey, they're basically playing for the first overall pick and where are they going to end up and people are playing the fan duel bets on whether or not they are going to get the first round pit,

the first overall pick. I get where people are at. in doing those things. But my biggest argument has been if this team can just get average offense, because last year, that offense was historically bad with Deshawn Watson. And then James Winston came in and gave it some life, but it was short-lived because he was turning the ball over too much.

If they can just be average and protect the football even a little bit better, they're going to be a lot more competitive in games this year than they were last year. And so that starts obviously here in week one against a Bengals team that you know very well. and it's part of the reason why I think they have a shot in this game because I'm envisioning that the offense, even with a 40-year-old Joe Flacco, is at least going to be an average group. And to your point, it's why the Bengals can't, you know, come into this game, taking the Browns lightly, even though we know where these two teams are sort of projected to be. No doubt. And that's, it sets it up perfectly because the matchups are why the Browns have been and given, been a thorn in the side of the Bengals and have given the Bengals trouble. So let's do that.

Let's talk about these matchups and key players that are going to decide Sunday's game coming up next. It's almost the weekend. Time to look back and crown this week's MVP on who delivered, powered by DoorDash. Just like you can win every Saturday with DoorDash streaks, saving more every time you order these players delivered when it mattered the most. Let's break it down. For Lockdown Browns, well, listen, we know the Browns are looking into this 2026 quarterback class. And so I'm actually going to the college ranks before the season kicks off in the NFL.

And I'll tell you, Garrett Nussmeyer delivered in a big way, leading LSU to victory over Clemson with a game winning touchdown in the fourth quarter when the pressure was on. He came through with no hesitation, no delay. And if you've been watching week after week, this performance wasn't a fluke. And just like the potential future Cleveland Bruns quarterback, Garrett Nussmeyer delivered this week, DoorDash delivers your Saturdays. With DoorDash streaks, you save every Saturday. you order, stack it up all season and you could save up the $250, including $100 in DoorDash credits.

Order this Saturday. Keep the streak alive. Fuel your game day only with DoorDash terms apply promo period through November 18th. All right, James. So as we get back to it here and we alluded to this a little bit in the first segment, just some of the key areas where these teams maybe have some strengths and weaknesses and how those sort of stack up with each other. And I think one of the key areas that I look to first in the,

mismatch, especially as I, you know, try to sort of project how the Browns are going to win this game, is that defensive front. We know that Miles Garrett has been a kryptonite of sorts to Joe Burrow over the years. And this year, I actually think that the Browns have put together maybe the best, arguably the best defensive line in Kevin Safansky's tenure since he's been here as the head coach in terms of just the front four guys, but then also the depth that they have. sort of rotating in. I think this unit is really strong. It is easily the strongest position group on the Cleveland Browns this year.

And I know the Bengals, who obviously still haven't named a starting right guard as of recording this, there are some concerns there up front for them on the offensive line, even with some of the tweaks that they made. And so I think this is an area where if the Browns can exude their will, if you will, they have a chance to really disrupt things for Joe Burrow, as they've done in the past, and maybe level the plane fiddles. little bit. For sure. I think that's the key to this for the Browns is that Miles Garrett and Mason Graham and heck, Malique Collins that you look up and it's like, man, these guys are

getting after Joe. They're not allowing the Bengals to get going on the ground. They're not giving them enough time to be explosive, all of those things. And we've seen that in the past. Like Miles Garrett is obviously number one. And that matchup, is the entire Bengals protection group. So offense of line, running backs, tight ends against 95. You cannot let Miles Garrett wreck the game. You can't let him impact the game so much that your offense can't operate. And we've seen that in the past.

And what I think is going to be interesting is how the Bengals combat that. Because they should, even with all the additions, the Mason Graham's and Collins and all these guys. And you mentioned the depth. I like the depth that they have for sure. But for the Bengals, they should have enough answers on offense. They bring back Mike Asikki. They have Andre Yosefash. It isn't just the Jamar and T show.

So even if Denzel is great and takes away Jamar, even if T doesn't have the biggest game, they should have other answers and Joe Bro should have other buttons he can go to and push to have more success than we've seen in the past when the Bengals were running that spread offense and they go to Cleveland and they just get punched in the mouth. So I'm curious to see, one, will the Bengals be able to hold up in protection? And if they can't, what answers they have? Because they should have enough talent to still be able to put up yards, move the ball down the field. But they haven't been tested like this.

And it's been such a unique matchup. I think that's honestly where the game is probably decided, not just trenches, but can the Bengals protect Joe? And if not, how did they respond? That's the matchup of the game for me. Yeah, no doubt about it. And that's kind of been the key matchup. think in previous meetings between these two teams as well. You mentioned obviously Joe Burroughs weapons. The matchup on the outside, the receivers versus the Browns DBs is always a fun one,

because I feel like there's always a little smack talk that goes on leading up to this game. We'll see if any happens this week. But there's also like a mutual respect there. Like Denzel obviously respects the hell out of Jamar Chase and vice versa. Jamar Chase knows Denzel is one of the best corners in this league. And I think off of that though, like yeah, maybe Denzel does kind of. to limit Jamar Chase. He has the ability to do that. But what I think is going to be interesting is opposite of that, and you brought up T. Higgins, what Greg Newsom can do on the outside against T. Higgins, he's normally the Brown slot corner. He's normally their nickel corner. But because

Martin Emerson Jr. is out for the season, he's now bumping outside. And this is a big season for Greg Newsom for a number of reasons, but mostly because it's a contract year, fifth year option of his rookie deal, but he's always wanted to play outside corner and get that big money where the big money comes. And so this is an opportunity for him in week one to have to lock down. There's not a lot of teams that have like a one-two punch that the Bengals have. And so it's not like you can just kind of take lightly whoever you're playing opposite because you know Denzel's got the number one guy locked down. Like you have a test out of the gate here with T. Higgins. And I'm curious to see how he handles that being on the outside more primarily this year.

than he's been in the past. Yeah, it's such a fun matchup. You're right. I go back to, so Jamar Chase's first year, they went to the Super Bowl, and that was still like COVID rules. We weren't in the locker, and we talked to Jamar,

but it was on Zoom. So that following spring, so they make this improbable run to the Super Bowl, and it's like, man, Jamar wins an offensive rookie of the year, and I asked him like, who's the best corner you faced? The first time I met him in person,

and he'd been in the league a year, and I'd covered him for a year. And I'm like, who's the best corner? And he said, Denzel. And that might have changed. I don't know. Yeah, he gets asked that all the time.

But, like, that's a real, real matchup. And then you have the, it's on site when we see Cleveland. Like, there's a real respect factor when it comes to that.

And they, that's what's so interesting because it's Miles Garrett, it's Joe Burrow, it's pass rush versus protect Joe. And yet the more fun matchup is exactly what you're talking about, is this secondary versus this Bengals, offense and offensive weapons. The other thing I'm going to be looking for, Spencer,

is how this defense, which I have zero expectations for, you mentioned you're not sure if they're going to be good. I don't know what to expect. I do know that Trey Hendrickson's good at football. I think Logan Wilson still can play, but we'll see. I like what I've seen from Shamar Stewart, but he's got to go out there and prove it. And a lot of the secondary is the same.

I'm a big believer in Dax Hill, but they all have to prove it. None of those guys outside of Trey Hendrickson has established themselves in the, league. And so what an opportunity. You mentioned the opportunity for Greg Newsom. What an opportunity for this Bengals defense to show, hey, we are better than last year because we're not going to let Joe Flacco and Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson and David and Joku and all of these guys. You go and obviously goes without saying with Jerry Judy. But I'm trying to name all the guys that

I think could make a major impact. Like not let them put up huge numbers on us. And we'll see if they can do that. I'm not going to, I wouldn't wager on Fandle that they're going to do that. But I think if they are a good defense, good defenses will do that to the Browns in their current form. I'm glad you mentioned the Bengals defense and gives us just sort of pivot here to that side of the ball because you mentioned a lot of the Brown's notable weapons. But I'll say this, like one guy who I think, and I've been telling people, you know, friends of mine who are in fantasy leagues or whatever, who text me and they're like,

hey, who's maybe a person of the Browns that we should be keeping an eye on or anybody, any insight you have? And the guy that I think is kind of the Brown's secret weapon this year is Harold Fanon, Jr., the rookie tight end out of Bowling Green. And the reason I say that, James, is because we know with Kevin Savansky, the Browns run a ton of 12 personnel. They love having two tight ends out there. You already know what David Nogoku can do, him and Joe Flacco, the chemistry.

They're trying to sort of re-they've been trying to rekindle that all preseason. from 2023 when he was a pro bowler. And that certainly still exists. But they are using Harold Fannin Jr. in a lot of different ways. He was part of a couple of trick plays that they ran during the joint practices with the Eagles. They're getting him in different spaces

that he's lined up outside. He's lined up in the slot. But primarily I think you find him sort of in the slot. And he is going to be sort of this extra weapon for them, especially because they don't have a ton of talent after Jerry Judy, obviously, at the wide receiver position, he will,

I wouldn't be surprised if he spends most of the season as like sort of their pseudo slot wide receiver, if you will. And he becomes a valuable piece for this offense. So him versus maybe a Dax Hill, him versus, you probably know better than me, like how the bank is going to handle.

Yeah, like a linebacker, like Demetrius Knight or whoever it's going to be. Like how they sort of defend him and his ability to sort of create opportunities for himself and get open, I think is going to be an interesting. thing to watch here in week one and really maybe set the tone for a big season for one of the

Brown's top rookies. Selfishly, I hate your comments. And here's why. Because I might have had a little Cedric Tillman stock. And that's where I thought you were going. It's Cedric Tillman. And I was like, ooh, and then you got me. You said Harold Finn and Jr. who obviously Bengals fans followed pre-draft. He ends up in Cleveland makes a ton of sense on how they run their offense that he could make an impact with like opposite David and Joku given where they're at behind Jerry Judy. But man, I was let down when you said that. I was hoping you were like Cedric Tullivan. Hey, hey, it's no disrespect to Cedric Tillman.

I really like Cedric Tillman. I think what's interesting was Cedric Tillman is last week even, we were talking to him for like the first time all camp because he was injured a little bit. And he even said like, yeah, I appreciate the fact that the Browns didn't go out and try to get another number two receiver and that they put their faith in me. But it's up to me to prove it. And I think he has the right mentality about going. going out and like showing that last year when he was starting to turn that corner.

It wasn't a fluke. So hopefully he's able to do that for you in whatever fantasy league you have him. Regardless, we are going to talk about both these teams' paths to victory this weekend. We know that the Bengals with Joe Burrough certainly have a leg up, but how can the Browns maybe stifle him try to steal a win here in week one? We'll get into all those things here coming up on this crossover episode of Lockdown I'm Bagu's in Lockdown Browns. We at Lockdown NFL have an important request.

We want to hear from you. We put together a survey to learn more about our listeners and how to make your favorite podcast even better. This is your chance to tell us what you like, but you don't and answer questions about our advertising. Go to Lockdownpodcast.com slash survey to get started. Everyone who completes the survey will be entered for a chance to win one of $10, $100 Amazon gift cards.

Again, that's Lockdownpodcast.com. slash survey. You can find the link in the show notes as well. Thank you for helping us out. Mazda crafts cars for those who choose to do more than simply move. They follow what moves them every time they drive. And that's what makes Mazda stand out. They go beyond safety, style, and performance to deliver a driving experience that feels alive in every detail. Mazda offers more than safety. It's won the 2025 IIHS top safety pick plus awards that plus more awards than anyone else. As football players focus on every detail,

Mazda does the same from metallic accents to hand-stitched napper leather, whether it's a quick drive to a practice or a weekend road trip. Mazda makes even everyday drives feel special. It's the small details that make the big plays. And just like there's more to every player, there's more to a Mazda vehicle. Mazda move and be moved. Today's show is also brought to by

a fan duel and the Bengals five and a half point favorites over the Browns, and whether it's Bengals, Browns on the Battle of Ohio, or anything else NFL. The NFL season is here. Fandle is going to make sure you're ready for kickoff with a can't miss offer. Right now, new customers can bet just $5. And if your bet wins, you get $300. That's right, $300 in bonus bets to use across the app. So maybe you think that the Eagles are going to kick the crap out of the Cowboys on Thursday night.

I'm sure a lot of people do, whether it's, It's that matchup, whether it's the battle of Ohio or any of the week one matchups, throw five bucks on it. And boom, when that first bet wins, you get $300 in bonus bets to use across the app. Are you ready to play? Download the Fandall app now by visiting Fandall.com to get started. That's Fandall.com to place your first $5 bet. All right, James, let's talk about some pass to victory for both these teams.

We know, as we talked about, the Bengals, tend to get off to slow starts, but they're trying to do things a little bit differently this year. Some questions about the defense, but what do you think it's going? to take for the Bengals to do what everyone expects them to do and, you know, not be upset by this Cleveland Browns team in week one. Starting fast may be a theme of the season, but it's also a theme of the game. The last thing you want is that Cleveland Browns crowd to get into it, that defense to get into it, getting a lead early is huge.

When the Browns have blown out the Bengals and given Joe Burrow trouble, they've jumped out early and they've made life tough because then they know Joe is passing. because they've got to try to get back in the game, right? So that is a huge key starting fast. Two, it's, of course, keeping Joe Burrow upright. You keep Joe Burrow upright, you're going to have a chance against any team in the NFL. And so not letting Miles Garrett and Malik Collins and Mason Graham, especially Mason, you can't let this rookie come in and have splash plays on you right away.

You expect some of those from Miles Garrett, but limit them. And then three, you mentioned the defense. the defense show that you can be a competent unit. And if they do that, that doesn't mean that they're going to shut out the Browns, but it means they're going to force a turnover or two. They're going to force multiple punts in the first half, and they're going to put the offense in position to get out to that fast start and build an early lead.

If they do those things, I think they're going to be in pretty darn good shape. But what about you? What do you think from a Brown's perspective? What's the secret sauce, the formula to get to one? I know because I got to be honest with you, Spencer, if I'm driving down 71 on Sunday night and the Browns have beat the Bengals and the Bengals have started 0 and 1 for a fourth straight year, Cincinnati is going to be really, really frustrated and angry. I'll tell you that much. Yeah, and I think rightfully so. I mean, obviously all the optics around this game, it's going to lean Bengals for obvious reasons. And I certainly wouldn't begrudge Bengals fans that they feel that way should the bronze win on Sunday. I think the theme of this show has been centered around that Browns defensive line. It is the strongest unit on this team. The defense is going to go as that unit goes, but so I think is the Browns.

Or so are the Browns, I should say. And I think it is going to be about them making life very difficult for Joe Burrow. I mentioned like the Brown's not being built for a shootout. I think where the Brown's weaknesses on defense is actually in their secondary, because without Martin Emerson, Jr., they've kind of been, I think, exposed a little bit in terms of the depth that they have back there. And so it's going to be up to that defensive front

to get pressure and make sure that Joe Burrow doesn't have time to just dissect that secondary and slice and dice them up and down the field to put up a lot of points because you want to avoid having to get into a shootout with Joe Burrow. As much as I still think Joe Flacco can run this Browns offense effectively, which is why they brought him back here. I don't think he's at a stage of his career

where he's built for that type of game where it's going to be like 42 to 38 or something crazy like that. They need to try to keep the scoring to a minimum from Cincinnati and getting to Joe Burrough is going to be the first part of that. From there though,

I do think you talk about a fast start for the Bengals. One of Kevin Stefansky's calling cards in the early years of his tenure here was that he always scored some sort of points on the opening drive of a game. Whether or not the Brown start with the ball first or they get it second, they have to take that opening drive down and punch in,

get something on the board, some form of points on the board. Because like you said, when these games have generally gone in the Brown's favor, it's because they've put the pressure on Burrow to, hey, you really got to throw your team out of this thing and you want to sort of create that pressure as early as possible. So those are two of the big things I'm looking at.

I do think this Brown's run game is going to be a key all season because going back to Stifansky's offense, the West Coast play action style where they can sort of air it out a little bit once that play action game really sort of gets going. They need to have an effective run game. I don't have a ton of confidence in this bronze run game as currently constructed just because your top ticket item, Quinshan Junkin still isn't here. But this Bengals defense, as we've talked about the concerns on that side of the ball for them,

feels like an opportunity to maybe build some momentum there. In the preseason, they were giving up, I think it was like 10.6 yards per area to the two teams that the starters played against, the defensive starters played against. So I think there's going to be some opportunities there. They got to take advantage of those. And obviously, it's the most cliche one ever, but protecting the football has to happen. And that can be sometimes hard for Joe Flacco. He's one of those gunslinger style of quarterbacks.

But if it's going to be a repeat of James Winston from last year, then, yeah, this Brown's team is going to lose a lot of games because they're given too many other opportunities to the opposing team. so they've got to be able to protect the football and sort of manned the clock in a way where Joe Burrow has it less. Yeah, I totally agree. I totally agree. Keep the ball out of Joe's hands and when he does have it, make him uncomfortable. That's the key. I think Joe just has a lot of answers right now.

And if it's not going to be Jamar and T, then it'll be Mike Gisicki and Andre Yosevash. And if it's not those guys, you got Chase Brown in the back field. Yeah, I love Chase Brown. You have no offense. You know, like there's so many layers to this offense right now. I think they're going to do enough offensively. And then defensively, I think they'll be a bit better than people are expecting right now this week. I don't know that.

I don't have high expectations because I have zero expectations for this defense. But I think they'll do enough. And so my prediction, I'll say 2713, not that it won't be rugged and slow moving. I don't think the Bengals jump out early. It's not going to be a blowout, but it ends up being a two-score win where this Bengals team plays. pretty well considering it's week one and they're known for their slow starts. I was going to ask you too, I'm assuming there's no restrictions for Trey Hendrickson this week, right? Like I know he's been around, but he hasn't really been like fully practicing,

but he's expected to just like be out there week one without any snap counts or anything, correct? That's the expectation, yeah, is that he's just going to be out there. And honestly, I think they would love to limit his snap count a little bit just because he is 30 and he plays a ton of snaps, and you want him on those money downs to be Money Hendrickson, right? So wouldn't shock me if he plays maybe a few snaps less, but no, I think he'll be pretty much full go. Okay.

Yeah, it's good to know. I think good context for Browns fans to think about for this game. Listen, I'm not going to tell anybody to do what I'm about to do because I get it. It's the Bengals and they have Joe Burrow, and those are some lofty, lofty things to overcome when you're a team like the Browns, given their current state.

but the history of the Bengals slow starts. I know they've tried to combat it this off season. The defensive questions that I have, I think, and I've talked about this all off season, it's not really a surprise because in this first six games of the Browns play, five playoff teams, the Bengals, the other one, which were almost a playoff team last year, this is the one game that's felt like,

hey, this could be the one that you steal, right? Because week ones are fluky, teams are sort of figuring things out. The Bengals are maybe the epitome of that in recent years. and for whatever reason, Miles Garrett and that defensive line have been sort of a kryptonite to Joe Burrough. So I'm going to predict a Brown's win,

get off on a high note to start the season. I'm not saying this means playoffs or anything. I'm still keeping my general win total for the season at like six wins. But I think they steal one against the Bengals in week one. I'll say final score of 27, 24. What did you say? 27 24.

27. Did you say 2724? I said 2713. Oh, okay. Okay. 27, 24. I think the Browns win if I feel goal. If any defensive scores, or the Brown's putting up 27 points? I think the defense gets a turnover that gives the offense a short field. I don't know that they're going to score themselves, but I'll say they get a turnover that gives them a short field. 20 real points then. I'm just, yeah, yeah. Can't let it happen. Against the Spangers, defense. No offense, though. I mean, anything's possible. I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm just saying that that cannot, cannot, should not happen if they're good. But that's what's so much fun about this week is it's a FC North.

No one knows what's going to happen. Exactly. And that's, I mean, listen, nobody thought the Browns are going to beat the Ravens randomly last year in the middle of the season either. And somehow they pulled it off. So, yeah, it's the fun of the AFC North. And we are certainly looking forward to covering it with you guys on Sunday. I'm sure many of you will be glued to your TVs watching this one go down.

But that's going to do it for us. We appreciate to stop and on by for this crossover episode of Lockdown Browns and Locked on Bengals. We will obviously be doing this again. I won't see you again, James, until week 17, the farthest apart that our two crossover episodes can be. Week 18, even far. Yeah, week 18. You're right. Sorry.

You know, that 17 games schedule is still not sticking for me. But we appreciate to stop and buy. make sure you subscribe to Lockdown Bengals or Lockdown Browns if you haven't done so already. And make sure for your second listen that you check out Locked on NFL season previews over at Lockedon NFL. We've got every division winner, breakout stars and Super Bowl contenders, an eight episode series with everything you need to know about the 2025 NFL season you can find Lockdown NFL on YouTube or wherever you listen to your podcast. For James, I'm Spencer German.

Appreciate you guys stopping by. Enjoy the game on Sunday. And we will talk to you guys again, real, real soon.