Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will make his home debut Sunday against the powerful San Francisco 49ers, but that’s not the only thing the Cleveland Browns player has to worry about.
In roder to be succesful, the Browns will need every ounce of talent from his fierceful defense, lead by Pro Bowler Myles Garrett, a clear favorite to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The former Texas A&M Garrett has lived in the backfield since he entered the league in 2017, recording 120.5 sacks in his nine-year career. This season he leads the NFL with 18 sacks. The task of guarding Garrett will be a challenge that is shared between multiple San Francisco players in Week 13.
A freezing game
The Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers won’t just be battling each other on Sunday at Huntington Bank Field – they’ll also be fighting one of the harshest weather environments the NFL has seen this season. Shedeur Sanders will be thrown directly into a freezing, windy, and potentially snow-filled stage that could turn this matchup into a survival test more than a showcase of offensive football.
The weather setup for Northeast Ohio has already been brutal, and it isn’t done yet. While forecasts suggest the precipitation may dry up around kickoff, scattered snow showers could return by dusk. In short, the field may not be actively covered in snow at noon kickoff – but it will almost certainly be wet, cold, and slick.
Temperatures will hover in the upper 30s at best, with a projected high of 38 degrees. That alone makes passing and ball security difficult, but the real issue will be the wind. Sustained southwest winds of 25 miles per hour with gusts reaching 35 – and potentially higher – are expected to whip across the open stadium. That combination of cold, wind, and moisture creates miserable conditions for quarterbacks, kickers, and receivers alike.
Another rookie will have to step up
Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, who has had a strong start to his first season in the NFL, will have to be better when the opponent loads the box. The former Ohio State Buckeye has struggled to break past the second level or return to the line of scrimmage under those circumstances.
Newcomer Dylan Sampson will have to provide an extra spark to the running game, also. He has had 89 rushing yards and 42 just in the last two games. If Cleveland can help Judkins get some explosive plays early on the match, the Browns have a chance to compete.
At the end of the day, Sunday’s game will be another opportunity for Shedeur Sanders to show the league that he can be a solid starter and a franchise quarterback.
Read the full article here
