Falcons (4-4) at Browns (2-6-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland
TV: Fox
Danny by 3
Falcons’ keys to victory: The Falcons offense is flying high, and a big reason is that it’s converting more than 50 percent of its thirddown opportunities. Keeping that impressive rate should allow QB Matt Ryan to have a huge game against a banged-up Browns defense. RBs Tevin Coleman and Ito Smith are working together nicely to provide offensive balance. On defense, containing slippery Browns RBs Nick Chubb and Duke Johnson is imperative. LB De’Vondre Campbell and his defensive mates need to make sure tackles and not allow cutback lanes. The pass rush needs to take advantage of the Browns’ suspect pass protection.
Browns’ keys to victory: No team takes the ball away from the opponent better than the Browns, but Cleveland doesn’t capitalize on the turnovers well. Converting an interception by CB Denzel Ward or a fumble recovery by FS Damarious Randall into points has proved challenging for the Cleveland offense. A strong red-zone performance keyed by TE David Njoku would help. The Browns have to get touchdowns instead of settling for unreliable field goal attempts by rookie K Greg Joseph.
Matchup to watch: Falcons LT Jake Matthews vs. Browns DE Myles Garrett. Garrett is capable of being a dominant force in the pass defense, but Matthews is one of the best in the league.
Who wins? The Browns showed renewed vigor under newly appointed interim coach Gregg Williams but don’t execute reliably enough on either side of the ball to defeat the surging Falcons.
Falcons, 33-20 Sheridan’s line: Falcons FALCONS SCHEDULE
L .... atPhiladelphia .... 18-12 W .......... Carolina .......... 31-24 L..New Orleans..43-37 (OT) L ......... Cincinnati ......... 37-36 L ...... at Pittsburgh ...... 41-17 W ....... Tampa Bay ....... 34-29 W ....... N.Y.Giants ....... 23-20 Oct. 28 ............... Bye ............... W .... at Washington .... 38-14 Nov. 11 ..... at Cleveland ..... 1 Nov. 18 ........... Dallas ........... 1 Nov. 22 .at New Orlns .8:20 Dec. 2 ......... Baltimore ......... 1 Dec. 9 ...... at Green Bay ...... 1 Dec. 16 .......... Arizona .......... 1 Dec. 23 ....... at Carolina ....... 1 Dec. 30 .... at Tampa Bay .... 1
T .... Pittsburgh .... 21-21 (OT) L .... at New Orleans .... 21-18 W ......... N.Y. Jets ......... 21-17 L ...at Oakland ... 45-42 (OT) W ..... Baltimore ..... 12-9 (OT) L ...... L.A. Chargers ...... 38-14 L .at Tampa Bay .26-23 (OT) L ...... at Pittsburgh ...... 33-18 L ........ Kansas City ........ 37-21 Nov. 11 .......... Atlanta .......... 1 Nov. 18 ............... Bye .............. Nov. 25 ..... at Cincinnati ..... 1 Dec. 2 ........ at Houston ........ 1 Dec. 9 .......... Carolina .......... 1 Dec. 15 .... at Denver .... TBD Dec. 23 ........ Cincinnati ........ 1 Dec. 30 ..... at Baltimore ..... 1