Burrow vs. Watson: Browns Rumored to Host Bengals in Week 1

Week 1 of the Cleveland Browns schedule could bring some early fireworks.

Brandon Little | May 11, 2023

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Cleveland Browns

Early season fun in the AFC North looks to be on the schedule. According to multiple reports, the Cincinnati Bengals will make a trip to Cleveland to play the Browns in week 1 of the NFL season. That means it will be Joe Burrow against Deshaun Watson, which could bring plenty of highlights in itself.

Cleveland defeated the Bengals the first time around last year, 32-12 on Halloween, before losing 23-10 in Watson’s second game back from suspension. Still, Burrow remains 1-4 against the Browns, one team that seems to have his number thus far in his career.

Burrow has played pretty well against the Browns in the past, he’s throwing for 295 yards a game against them, to go along with two touchdowns. In five games against Cleveland, Burrow has thrown five interceptions.

That’s not to say Burrow isn’t great because he in fact is. He has the most talented wideout group around him in the league and their offense improved in the offseason even more.

Cleveland’s new-look defense led by defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz will have their work cut out for them in week 1 to begin the season. But it could be the Browns’ offense that will need to keep pace with the Bengals.

Watson is having his first normal offseason with the Browns, as well as a full training camp ahead of him in July and August. How he plays will determine how far the Browns can go, which will begin in week 1. The rust has to be shaken off by that point, that reasoning just won’t stick and mean anything anymore.

Cleveland’s new wideouts in Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, and even Marquise Goodwin could help out their quarterback early.

The rest of the Browns’ schedule is to release at 8 p.m., though there will be leaks throughout the day. A lot will change from week 1 to week 18 but an AFC North battle in week 1 should be something to look forward to.

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