The Ward and Newsome versus Chase and Higgins matchup isn’t all about the four players, though. Heading into the week of practices for Week 1, head coach Kevin Stefanski made it a point to say that this game is going to take more than just about one player stopping another – it’s an entire team effort.
“They’re a great team. We have to focus obviously on (Chase and Higgins) and have their respect. And we also have to be about our business,” Stefanski said. “We have to play with great fundamentals, play great team defense. This is the NFL. Guys love matchups like this. They love when there are great players across the field from them. So that’s what our league is built upon.”
Matchups across the field, like the Browns’ defensive line going against the Bengals’ offensive line, will help influence the battle in the secondary. Pressure from the front four will make Burrow’s job hard and stop him from building momentum in the passing game. Collapsing Burrow’s pocket also allows the corners to stick to their assignments and make it hard for him to make solid throws and connect with his receivers.
Even if the defensive line can get through to Burrow, Stefanski discussed how Burrow can adjust to any situation. Whether he’s being blitzed or only four men are rushing him, he is composed. According to Stefanski, getting through to Burrow and making him have a hard day comes down to playing sound defense.
“This is a huge, huge challenge,” Stefanski said. “It’s a really good scheme. They have good players across the board. But we have to be about our business.”