Dawgs By Nature
The Cleveland Browns return home on Sunday to face the Green Bay Packers.
Cleveland is winless so far this season after dropping divisional games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. The Packers, on the other hand, come into the game as the darlings of the NFC after wins over the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders.
This is one of the NFL’s odder series, as this will be just the 21st regular-season meeting between the Browns and Packers despite both teams being in the NFL since 1950.
The home fans are restless and growing tired of the latest strain of Flacco Fever as Cleveland’s offense has struggled to get anything going so far this season. And it won’t be any easier against a Green Bay defense that is stout against the run and has Micah Parsons on board.
It is the Browns vs. the Packers for the first time in Cleveland since 2017, and here is everything to know about the game.
Records: Cleveland is 0-2. Green Bay is 2-0.
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Stadium: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland
TV: FOX
Announcers: Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston, and Allison Williams (sideline reporter)
Radio: 850 ESPN Cleveland, 92.3 The Fan WKRK, 98.5 WNCX, 1300 AM La Mega (Español)
Announcers: Andrew Siciliano, Nathan Zegura and Jerod Cherry (sidelines)
Last meeting: The Packers won the last meeting, 24-22, in Week 16 of the 2021 season.
First meeting: The Browns won the first meeting, 27-0, on September 27, 1953.
All-time series: The Packers lead the all-time series, 14-7. The Browns have lost four in a row to Green Bay.
Weather: 80 degrees and mostly cloudy, with a 15 percent chance of rain. Winds from the south at 10 mph. (weather.com)
Uniform: The Browns are making the unfortunate decision to wear their “Alpha Dawg” kit, which includes a brown helmet paired with an all-brown uniform.
Injury report: Browns – Out: Defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (knee). Questionable: left guard Joel Bitonio (back), right tackle Jack Conklin (elbow), kick returner DeAndre Carter (concussion), and kicker Andre Szmyt (calf). Packers – Out: Wide receiver Jayden Reed (shoulder/foot). Questionable: Tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) and offensive tackle Zach Tom (oblique).
The line: Browns +7.5 according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Cleveland’s defense is No. 1 against the run, allowing just 46 rushing yards per game. Green Bay is No. 2 at 48.5 yards per game.
Green Bay running back Josh Jacobs has scored a rushing touchdown in 10 consecutive games.
When Green Bay defensive end Micah Parsons is on the field, the Packers are holding opposing quarterbacks to a QBR of 14. When he is on the sidelines, that number increases to 60, according to ESPN.
The Browns have not allowed a 300-yard passing game in 30 consecutive games, the longest current streak in the NFL.
Defensive end Myles Garrett leads the league in tackles for loss (6) and is tied for first in sacks (3.5).
Garrett has also...
