Week six could end in positive fashion for Arizona Cardinals
By Jim Koch
Two years have passed since the Arizona Cardinals notched a 38-24 victory over an up and coming Cleveland Browns squad. The matchup featured a duel between two Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks, Arizona’s Kyler Murray and Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield. This coming fall, the Cards and Browns will once again tangle during the sixth week of the 2021 regular-season.
Last season turned out to be quite a memorable one for both the city of Cleveland and the Browns. Rookie head coach Kevin Stefanski presided over a team that ended a postseason drought that had lasted for 17 long years. The Browns finished the 2020 campaign with an 11-5 record, and went on to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers during the Wild Card round of last season’s playoffs.
The 26-year old Mayfield is the unquestioned leader of the Cleveland offensive unit. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt form an outstanding rushing duo that combined for 1,908 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground in ’20. Jarvis Landry is Mayfield’s top pass-receiving target, and the Browns will gladly welcome back Odell Beckham Jr. from the torn ACL he suffered last October.
Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett, who totaled 12 sacks last year, causes nightmares for the league’s offensive coordinators. B.J. Goodson is an all-purpose linebacker who registered 91 tackles, two interceptions and six passes defensed last season. Cornerback Terrance Mitchell is a budding star who tallied 65 tackles,13 pass breakups and three forced fumbles for the Browns.
The organization’s front office strengthened the Browns defense even more by adding three noteworthy pieces to the unit this offseason. Edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney was inked to a one-year deal back in April. Cleveland also acquired a pair of cover guys, signing free agent Troy Hill and selecting Greg Newsome II during the first round of last month’s draft.
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Going on the road to face such a formidable opponent will certainly present some challenges for the Redbirds. Cleveland’s raucous “Dawg Pound” will make things difficult for the traveling Cards, but Murray finds a way to lead his teammates to victory. Cardinals 24, Browns 20.