Browns at Buccaneers
Game Info
Kickoff: Friday, August 23rd, 2019, at 7:30 PM EST
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Betting Odds: CLE -3 via Oddsshark
Network: WEWS, WTSP, or WFTV
Cleveland Browns
Chubb and Hunt
Kareem Hunt has impressed lately in Browns’ camp. Hunt made his Cleveland debut last preseason game, but starter Nick Chubb did not play in that game. Chubb played in the first preseason game. So, we’ve seen them both but not together. Will that change this week? We should hope so. If they both get on the field, it could help us figure out Freddie Kitchen’s plan for Hunt when he returns after his eight-game suspension. Chubb should be a workhorse while Hunt is out but no one knows for sure how Hunt will be used once back.
Wide Receiver Three Battle
Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry are locked in starting WRs for the Cleveland Browns. At the start of camp, most presumed that Antonio Callaway would be the third WR, but so far Rashard Higgins has outplayed Callaway. It is reported that Higgins and Baker Mayfield have developed a nice rapport. Callaway also didn’t help his case with the recent four-game suspension. Higgins, or whoever wins the job, could be in line for a nice fantasy season if the Browns offense is as good as many predict. This is something to keep in mind when thinking about drafting David Njoku, as the third receiver could eat into his target share.
Kicking Issues
Coach Freddie Kitchens has not been happy about the performance of the Browns’ kickers. In week two of the preseason, incumbent Greg Joseph and fifth-round rookie Austin Seibert both missed their field goal attempts. Kitchens had some choice words for them, saying, “Their job is to put the ball through the upright. I don’t care who is holding. I can go out there and hold it for them, and it better go through the upright. That is their job.” Not exactly a ringing endorsement of either kicker. The Browns will be in some big games and shootouts. If they don’t settle the kicker spot, that could end up costing them a win or two in their first push for the playoffs in some time.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Backfield Questions
Whew, baby. Is there a worse backfield in the NFL? Not likely. So far this preseason, Ronald Jones and Peyton Barber have played to a stalemate. Jones has rushed for six times for 35 yards while Barber has rushed five times for 33 yards. They each added one reception. Not much separating them, huh? It’s tough to know who will emerge as the lead back in this timeshare but we might get a clue this week. Jones had a lower-body injury, but it looks like he will be playing. So let’s see who gets the most action with the ones. Also, keep an eye on Dare Ogunbowale. He has all but locked up the third back role. With how bad this RB situation is, would it surprise anyone if he forced his way to a major role in the offense?
Preseason Hero
If you have been playing preseason DFS, then you know the hero I’m talking about. TE Tanner Hudson has been a stud this preseason. He is making a case not just for the Buccaneers to keep him on the roster, but some regular-season snaps. Week one of the preseason, Hudson had seven catches for 84 yards and a touchdown. He followed that up with six catches for 93 yards and a touchdown. If Hudson can keep this going, it might give the Buccaneers the incentive to trade/cut Cameron Brate. Brate is making seven million a year and can be cut this offseason with only a dead cap hit this year. The Bucs have O.J. Howard and don’t need to spend that much on the backup TE spot.
Wide Receiver Three Spot
Similarly to the Bucs opponent, the number three receiver role is up for grabs. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are locked into the starting WR slots. O.J. Howard will play a large role in the passing game and might end up being the de facto number three receiver. But when the Bucs go three-wide, who will be on the field? Breshad Perriman has been working with the first team. He can be a nice deep threat in Bruce Arians’s downfield passing attack. Godwin has been playing a lot in the slot, but Justin Watson may be an attractive option if they want to move Godwin outside for some downs. The Bucs could end up having the most passing yards in the NFL for the second start year, so this third receiver spot will have some fantasy value. I’d track who is out there while the starters play this week.
-Frank Costanzo (@FrankQBList)