Cleveland Browns at Arizona Cardinals Matchup Preview 12/15/19: Analysis, Depth Charts, Daily Fantasy

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This matchup has no effect on any playoff scenarios as both are eliminated, but there are some aspects of this game that will be interesting to watch. The (6-7) Browns have actually looked good lately. Their horrible start to the season really put a damper on what this season could have been. They have won four of their last five games and even beat the Ravens earlier in the season. Nick Chubb has been the reason for a lot of their success as he has rushed for over 100 yards six times this season. Baker Mayfield was able to run one in for a touchdown last week, but he threw two picks with just 192 yards and below a 50% completion percentage. The (3-9-1) Cardinals have steamrolled their way out of the playoffs with a six-game losing streak. They have had a mix of close and blowout games but allowing 30 points per game during those six games will not result in many wins and, in their case, was zero. The Cardinals rely so much on their air raid attack that when something is off, their whole scheme misfires. It takes nearly perfect chemistry between Kyler Murray and the receivers. When that is off, the Cardinals’ score reflects it. For odds movement and full matchup history, visit the Cleveland Browns at Arizona Cardinals matchup page.

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, December 15, 2019
Time: 4:05pm ET
Location: State Farm Stadium – Glendale, AZ
Coverage: CBS

Injury Report

Cleveland Browns: OT Chris Hubbard (Q), WR Odell Beckham Jr. (Q), WR Jarvis Landry (Q), DE Olivier Vernon (Q), C JC Tretter (Q), S Eric Murray (Q)
Arizona Cardinals: C Mason Cole (Q), CB Kevin Peterson (Q), LB Terrell Suggs (Q), G J.R. Sweezy (Q), G Justin Pugh (Q), LB Joe Walker (Q), WR Christian Kirk (Q), WR Andy Isabella (Q), S Budda Baker (Q), TE Maxx Wiliams (Q)

Cleveland Browns Analysis

The Browns have been looking hot recently. Their 4-1 record in the last five games has given a lot of promise going into the end of the season and into the offseason. Nick Chubb’s dominance has solidified the running back position for the Browns. Kareem Hunt’s return has only added more value to the position when making substitutions. The defense has been great too during that span, only allowing just 17.2 points per game. There is a lot of promise for the Browns moving into this game.

With the Cardinals’ defense falling apart, it will be a game for the Browns’ key offensive players to get going. Baker Mayfield has been struggling the last two games, but this game is a perfect chance for him to get going again. The Cardinals’ defense is ranked dead last against the pass. They have allowed the most passing yards and passing touchdowns in the league. Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. are a nice combo of receivers to be throwing to. The return of David Njoku should play a big role in this game too as the Cardinals have particularly been the worst team at guarding tight ends.

Cleveland Browns Depth Chart

QB: Baker Mayfield
RB1: Nick Chubb
RB2: Dontrell Hilliard
WR1: Odell Beckham Jr.
WR2: Jarvis Landry
WR3: Rashard Higgins
TE: David Njoku

Arizona Cardinals Analysis

It has been a rough end to the season for the Cardinals. The beginning of the season showed so much promise with Kyler Murray fitting in. David Johnson was healthy and Larry Fitzgerald was showing that his age did not matter. All of those have hit a wall it seems as the Cardinals have failed to even get 300 yards of total offense in the past three games. In Kenyan Drake’s first game as a Cardinal, he was completely explosive and gave some hope, but that since then has fallen apart.

On paper, the Cardinals should not have much of a chance in this game as they are on one of the worst losing streaks in the league while the Browns have been red hot. If they are going to win, Kyler Murray needs to get hot again. He hasn’t hit 200 passing yards in three weeks which is even worse since the Cardinals have been focused on the passing attack all year. The Browns are one the better teams against the pass, so they may need to change their focus on the ground unless they are persistent in becoming an air raid team.

Arizona Cardinals Depth Chart

QB: Kyler Murray
RB1: David Johnson
RB2: Kenyan Drake
WR1: Larry Fitzgerald
WR2: Christian Kirk
WR3: KeeSean Johnson
TE: Charles Clay

Daily Fantasy: Baker Baker Tuddy Maker

I expect this to be the return of the Baker Mayfield who was originally selected by the Browns. The heisman-winner Baker Mayfield should be back this week as the Cardinals have a college-like defense with the numbers that they have allowed. Odell Beckham Jr. has been the best receiver in the league even with Eli Manning’s decline as a quarterback. Baker Mayfield has so much potential with OBJ moving forward and this game should give a glimpse into that possibility.