The 2-7 Browns will travel to the Big Easy for their Week 11 matchup against the Saints in their first game since their Week 10 bye week.
"Great challenge going down to New Orleans," head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday. "Good football team. You watch the tape, it's a talented offense. [..] Good players all around. Defensively they make you work, very challenging."
Here are three burning questions to consider going into the Browns' Week 11 matchup.
Can the Browns limit RB Alvin Kamara?
RB Alvin Kamara has been a dominant running back in the NFL since his rookie season in 2017, in which he had 1,554 all-purpose yards and 13 total touchdowns. A running back that is just as dangerous in the running game as he is in the passing game, the Browns will have to lock in on Kamara whenever he is on the field.
"Kamara is a different player," defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said on Thursday. "He can run inside the tackles; he can run wide. He's really good in the pass game, he's dangerous in screens. Anybody that's the leading rusher and leading receiver is going to get your attention. We sort of have to know every time where he is on the field, where and why all the time. You guys know I've used this too many times, but fortunately we know he wears number 41, so we should be able to find him."
This season, Kamara has 715 rushing yards and six touchdowns, adding 421 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. His 1,136 total yards are the fourth-most in the NFL and his 17 rushes of 10 or more yards rank 13th among NFL running backs.
Last week against the Falcons, Kamara had 109 total yards on 20 total carries, including a 31-yard reception in the third quarter.
"You have Kamara, who they're trying to give the ball on every down – much deserved. I've gone against him plenty of times and he hasn't lost a step, he hasn't lost his quickness and their ability to get him explosive plays," LB Jordan Hicks said on Wednesday.
The Browns defense has struggled at times in preventing explosive runs, allowing 36 runs for 10 or more yards this season, the 10th-most in the NFL. Keeping Kamara from finding open space on the field and being strong in their tackling will be crucial in preventing him from having a productive day.
"Stop 41," S Grant Delpit said on Thursday. "That's what we're focusing on. From his ball carrying ability, balance, pass catching ability – he's the leading rusher and receiver for their team right now, I think that says everything."
Check out photos of the team working to prepare for their game this week against the New Orleans Saints at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Safety Trey Dean (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Linebacker Khaleke Hudson (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Safety Chris Edmonds (41) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
A football during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Safety Chris Edmonds (41) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Safety Trey Dean (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 13, 2024.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Wide receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 14, 2024.
Can the Browns establish the run game against the Saints defensive front?
In his first three games this season, RB Nick Chubb has rushed for 113 yards on 42 carries, adding a touchdown. His 2.7 yards per carry is well below his career average of 5.2 – which is currently tied with former Browns RB Jim Brown for the seventh-most yards per carry in NFL history.
As he works back to full strength following a lengthy and arduous recovery from a knee injury suffered in Week 2 of the 2023 season, Chubb said that he is feeling better each time he steps back on the field.
"Every time I go out there and practice or am in the game, I feel a little better," Chubb said on Wednesday. "I just need to go out there and keep doing what I'm doing and being patient and it'll come."
The Saints defense has shown some weaknesses in stopping the run game at times this season. Through 10 games, the Saints have allowed 141 rushing yards per game, the sixth-most in the NFL. Their average of 5.1 yards allowed per carry is the second-worst rate in the NFL.
For the Browns, going against the Saints could be an opportunity to work out some of the issues they've experienced in the run game so far this season.
"It's curtailing the run game to make sure we're maximizing those effective concepts and cutting back on the less effective concepts without becoming one dimensional as an offense," offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said on the Browns' struggles running the ball. "So, I think when you look at that stuff, yes, there's things that overall haven't been as effective, but then there's also things that have been very effective and we want to obviously lean on those things."
Will Cedric Tillman continue his breakout season?
After starting the season with just three receptions for nine yards, WR Cedric Tillman has played a major role on the offense in the three games since the Browns traded away WR Amari Cooper.
In Weeks 7-9, Tillman has combined for 255 receiving yards and three touchdowns. His second touchdown, a 38-yard pass from QB Jameis Winston, sealed the Browns' home win over the Ravens in Week 8.
"It's not by accident. I mean, this is something that has been in the works for a while, just because of his work ethic and how he's improved," passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea said on Friday. "In the things off the field, in the meeting room, he's just been outstanding. He's really followed some of the leaders that we have on our team of just how to go about his business on a daily basis."
With 20 targets between Winston's first two starts, Tillman will likely be a key part of the Browns' offensive gameplan against the Saints.
However, as his involvement in the offense has grown, defenses are forced to pay more attention to the young receiver, and the Saints might put an emphasis on covering Tillman.
"With catches and more targets, you bring more attention to yourself, right?" O'Shea said. "So, that's something that he'll learn as we go along here, do you have to make some adjustments? And certainly, we look at that as a coaching staff in our game planning of how we can utilize him in his current role and develop him more in his role and utilize other players across the formation."
