Nov 5, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; General view of the line of scrimmage as Cincinnati Bengals center Russell Bodine (61) prepares to snap the ball to quarterback Andy Dalton (14) during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns: Should Cody Kessler Start The Rest Of The Season? by Ryan Rosko

The Cleveland Browns are facing off versus the Cincinnati Bengals for the first time in 2016 on Sunday.

The Cleveland Browns have not succeed against members of the AFC North for some time. In Week 7, not only could that start to change, but Cleveland also may end up with their first win of the season.

As we wait for this week’s game to kickoff, Stripe Hype‘s Site Expert Emile Pierce joined us to discuss various topics and keys to the game for this weekend’s game.

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has a well a documented and long-term friendship with Browns head coach Hue Jackson. Due to their familiarity with one another, how do you see their friendship impacting Sunday’s game?

EP: When a head coach–who just happens to be your BFF–can call you at 5 AM to talk football, there has to be a serious bromance happening. On the one hand, Marvin will have something to prove. He’s Hue’s mentor, so to speak.

Conversely, Jackson has to show Lewis that he’s able to right the ship in Cleveland. There’s a ton of respect on both sides.

Don’t expect a blowout game. Neither coach wants to embarrass the other. But, it’ll be exciting to watch. (Bengals offensive coordinator Ken) Zampese is still getting the hang of play calling and dialing up what Andy likes to run.

The Bengals have not play like the team we have been used to seeing. How much is that due to Jackson now being in Cleveland?

EP: When Hue left, the feeling was utter disbelief. Fans wanted him to either re-up or wanted Marvin’s head on a platter. Ken Zampese has the bloodline to get things together. His pop was the architect of the Chargers Air Coryell offense.

It’ll take a while for him to settle down and call a game evenly for 60 minutes. The bond that (Bengals quarterback) Andy Dalton and Jackson had was special. He helped The Ginger mature. That same connection will have to develop between Dalton and Zampese. This year could turn into more of a learning session.

Is the running back comparison of the Browns’ Duke Johnson and Isaiah Crowell truly legitimate to that of the Bengals’ Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill? Which duo is more inclined to do big things this weekend?

EP: When I think of Gio and Jeremy, I think Thunder and Lightning. Hill is a powerful back but his speed to the holes has been questionable this year. Gio? Hey, he’s the speedy water bug. Duke is banging out 5.2 yards per attempt.

Neither of the Bengals’ backs has matched that. Crowell is also slamming defenses for 5.2. Isaiah has just six yards less than Gio and Hill combined. Yikes!

When they get the ball, they mean business. The Bengals D is struggling with stopping the run. If (Bengals defensive coordinator) Paul Guenther’s unit isn’t prepared…the Browns just may run to daylight.

Who are the Bengals most concerned about facing off against?

EP: Truthfully? (Browns quarterback) Cody Kessler is the man to beat. The concern is the Bengals secondary. In two huge games, Cincinnati has made young quarterbacks look like the second coming of Peyton Manning. In Week 6, Kessler burned the Titans for 336 yards and 2 TDs.

His passer rating was a sparkling 105.3. Dak Prescott and Trevor Siemian (of the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos respectively) shredded the Bengals.

The back end experience is sorely missed. Limit Kessler’s effectiveness and the Orange and Black has a chance.

Cleveland has been able to stay in games late this season. Due to Cincinnati’s struggles, do you see this week being the game where Cleveland wins for the first time? Simultaneously, possibly making this rivalry more meaningful with a win. Who ends up winning Sunday?

EP: This ain’t Marvin’s first time at the rodeo. Lewis is 18-8 in the Battle of Ohio. This will be Jackson’s first time in the Big Dance. The fact that Lewis and Jackson are best bros will make the rivalry more meaningful.

The Young Grasshopper wants to beat his sensei. Cleveland could actually come out of this with a W, if the focus is there.

Sometimes, being too amped up can cause mistakes. But, Hue is the man to calm things down. He knows the Bengals’ D like no other.

Cool heads will prevail in another competitive game. Cincinnati in a squeaker 27-21.

The Cleveland/Cincinnati games are always entertaining and has had many of ties over the years, including some that were touched on here. FoS thanks Emile for his perspective and opinions and wish Stripe Hype plenty of success for the rest of the 2016 season.