Packers vs. Browns Matchups: Who Has Edge?

Judkins’ first day at the office was a good one. He ran for 61 yards on just 10 carries and could be in line for a heavier workload this week. Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson help flank Judkins in a three-headed backfield.

Apart from Judkins, the Browns’ backfield has had trouble finding its footing. Ford ran for 31 yards on six carries last week as their run game was phased out because of the deficit they faced against the Ravens. Sampson is averaging only 2.2 yards per carry.

Green Bay’s run defense, its supposed Achilles heel after the trade for Micah Parsons, has been a strength early in the year. Running backs against Green Bay are averaging just 2.43 yards per carry. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery ran 20 times for 44 yards and Washington’s backfield carried the ball 12 times for 34 yards.

The emergence of defensive tackles Devonte Wyatt and Colby Wooden has been helpful, and linebackers Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper have both taken steps as players.

If the Packers are able to slow down Cleveland’s run game, they’ll be able to unleash their pass rush against the immobile Joe Flacco.

Advantage: Packers

Browns Pass Defense vs. Packers Passing Offense

Micah Parsons is one of the top pass rushers in football. Cleveland has one of the few players who can stake a claim as someone who compares to Parsons. In fact, Myles Garrett is more accomplished at this stage of his career. He’s likely to be fitted for a gold jacket at the end of his career.

Garrett has had at least 10 sacks every year since his second season in 2018. He’s had 14 each of the last two years and is off to a good start with 3.5 sacks in two games. He has not lost a step, despite being in his ninth season as a pro.

The four-time first-team All-Pro and 2023 Defensive Player of the Year is priority No. 1 for the Packers this week.

In the secondary, the Browns have Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome as their primary cornerbacks. Ward, a first-round pick in 2018, is coming off his fourth Pro Bowl season. He led the team with 19 passes defensed last season. Newsome was the subject of trade rumors this offseason but remains in Cleveland.

While it allowed only 338 passing yards against Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson, it yielded five passing touchdowns.

Green Bay’s passing game has been feast or famine through the first two games. At times, they look unbeatable. Jordan Love is throwing the ball down the field even more this year. After averaging an NFL-high 8.84 air yards per attempt last season, according to league data, his 12.47-yard average this year is almost 3 yards greater than any other quarterback.

With four touchdowns and zero interceptions, his passer rating has been over 110 in each of the first two games.

The pressure point is going to be on the offensive line. The Packers could be missing two starters again. Left guard Aaron Banks and right tackle Zach Tom were inactive last week and neither practiced on Monday.

Rookie second-round pick Anthony Belton started for Tom last week and got better through his first start, and Darian Kinnard has performed admirably in spot duty, but this defensive front is a different animal than what they’ve faced in the first two weeks. Whoever starts at right tackle will have to contend with Garrett.

The Packers likely will be using a lot of their two-tight-end sets as a means to protect Love.

The edge here is slight because of how well Love is playing, but the Browns’ defense gets the nod due to Green Bay’s injuries up front and to receiver Jayden Reed.

Advantage: Browns