Starting the season off 1-0 would be big for the Cleveland Browns when you factor in the win coming over a divisional opponent.

Defeating the Cincinnati Bengals is going to be no easy task, as they’ve proven to be a legit contender out of the AFC.

If the Browns want to protect the home field and pick up the Week 1 win, they’re going to need to take advantage of three key elements in this one.

Pass rush against Joe Burrow

Cleveland’s success on defense is going to happen because of the defensive line this year if they’re able to have a top-flight defense. The overhaul of the defensive line should put much more pressure on the quarterback than they have been able to generate in years past. That needs to start in Week 1 against Burrow.

Myles Garrett averages over a sack a game against the Bengals, you can count on him getting in the backfield. The Browns are going to need to make Burrow uncomfortable and hope their secondary gets a chance to make a play on the ball.

Cincinnati is a team built to score points in a hurry. They’re going to pass the ball and they’re going to pass it a bunch. In his career against the Browns, Burrow is averaging 43 attempts a game. That is a lot of dropbacks and opportunities for the defense to make a play. As a result, Burrow is throwing an interception a game against Cleveland.

Browns pass-catching weapons against Bengals’ defense

Cincinnati’s secondary looks a bit different this season. Nick Scott comes over as the new strong safety from the Los Angeles Rams and Dax Hill is a full-time starter in his second season. With new pieces in the secondary sometimes comes coverage busts, which is why the Browns wide receivers need to have a good showing in Week 1.

Amari Cooper had a big showing in the first matchup with Cincinnati last year, recording seven catches for 131 yards. Donovan Peoples-Jones was excellent against the Bengals in both games last year. In the first matchup, he had 81 yards, in the second he was good for 114.

Cleveland adds in Elijah Moore, who they hope has a breakout year. That starting in Week 1 would be big for the offense and Deshaun Watson. David Njoku is a weapon at tight end that could be utilized a bunch in this one, the same with Cedric Tillman and his large frame.

The kicking game

Kicking matters, so don’t let anyone tell you it doesn’t. In close games, if you have a good kicker you’re much better off. Cincinnati has one in Evan McPherson, who is one of the best young kickers in the game. On the other hand, the Browns are hoping Dustin Hopkins can give them some consistency after letting Cade York go.

In Cleveland, kicking the ball is never easy, which is the reason they haven’t had a long-term kicker since Phil Dawson. Hopkins isn’t likely to be the long-term guy either, as he’s 32 years old and has had injury issues already. But if this game comes down to a kick, the Browns have to feel decent about his chances from inside 50 yards. Hopkins makes 85 percent of his kicks, about 10 percent more than York did. Missed kicks can come back to haunt, especially in a divisional game that figures to be close. 

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Featured image via  Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports.