5 most interesting NFL matchups to watch Week 13

1. Browns try to slow down Derrick Henry

If the NFL held a vote today, Henry would receive a ton of MVP votes. What he’s doing for the Titans offense on a weekly basis is nothing short of remarkable.

This week the Browns front gets the unenviable task of trying to slow Tennessee’s run game down. Sheldon Richardson will need to play an extraordinary game from his defensive tackle position for Cleveland to have any success on defense. The key to preventing Henry from taking over any game is to stop him from getting his momentum started in the backfield. Once he gets a head of steam, he’s too much for any defender to handle.

It’s a massive victory for the Browns defense if they can keep Henry under his season average of 114.3 yards on the ground. Doing that won’t assure Cleveland of a crucial victory, but it will give Baker Mayfield and his talented offense a chance to outscore Tennessee.

Don’t overlook Mayfield’s role in keeping Henry in check. The Browns offense will need to possess the ball for long stretches of time to take some heat off their defensive teammates. Quick scores are good for Cleveland this week, but protracted touchdown marches down the field will be even better. Most importantly, the Browns have to avoid three-and-outs and turnovers. Both occurrences will put their defense in disadvantaged positions it cannot handle.