Week 1 is here around the NFL and that means the Cleveland Browns will host the Cincinnati Bengals to open up the season.

For Cleveland, it will be their first of three AFC North games in the first four weeks of the season. It is likely the toughest of those three divisional games too, as the Bengals have been an AFC power for the past couple of seasons.

Each week, I plan to highlight a few players from the opposing team for the Browns that could be of issue. Sometimes these will be obvious, other times it could be due to a potential positive matchup.

QB Joe Burrow

Burrow is going to play in Week 1, which is nearly set in stone following his calf strain that kept him out for the preseason. Burrow will be 100 percent or very close to it and the same elite quarterback he’s proven to be the last couple of years.

Despite being just 1-4 against the Browns, Burrow is a problem for any team that has to game-plan for him. Cleveland’s new-look defensive line will be the key to getting to the Bengals’ quarterback and knocking him off. Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith specifically will be responsible for causing havoc.

Playing an elite quarterback in Week 1 is tough and it’s even tougher when there is a really good team around him.

WR Ja’Marr Chase

Undoubtedly, Chase is a top-5 wide receiver in the NFL. Through three games against the Browns, it was the most recent one where Chase lit the Browns up. In Dec. of 2022, Chase had 10 catches for 119 yards and a touchdown. It could get even tougher with a potential defensive star out for the Browns.

Denzel Ward is going to draw the job to cover Chase, but that will depend on whether or not he will clear concussion protocol.

Chase’s ability to get open deep could be an issue for the Browns’ safeties. The Browns signed Juan Thornhill to pair with Grant Delpit for games just like this.

If the Browns can limit Chase, it’ll bode well for their chances to win in Week 1.

DT DJ Reader

Cincinnati has one of the best interior defenders in the game and there is no better time for him to show that than against good running attacks like the Browns deploy.

Reader can take on a double team with no issue and Cleveland will surely slide center Ethan Pocic his way a bunch. In his last time out against the Browns, Reader came away with five tackles. The 2022 season was just 10 games for Reader but he is a problem when he’s on the field.

Cincinnati brings a nice edge presence with Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard who pair with Reader to give them a push across the line. Don’t expect the Browns to run at Reader’s gap a ton, they’ll work away from him as much as they can.

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The Week 1 game should be a good one in the AFC North and these three players could give the Browns their fair share of issues. 

Browns CB Denzel Ward’s status in doubt heading into Week 1

There is some worry that Ward won’t be able to go in Week 1.

Featured image via Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports.