5 bold predictions for Browns against Bears

2. The tight ends will step up big time in Jarvis Landry’s extended absence

With wide receiver Jarvis Landry going on Injured Reserve, the Browns receiving corps will have to adjust. This will contribute to a lot of Mayfield’s first-half struggles. His possession receiver in the middle of the field is not going to be there for him. While Mayfield will make two terrible decisions trying to fit the ball into tight windows, his tight ends will bail him out big time in the second half.

As with Garrett, this will be a banner day for the Browns’ elite tight end trio of Harrison Bryant, Austin Hooper and David Njoku. While it remains to be seen who will be the fantasy darling this week among them, all three will contribute to the Browns finding a way to get it done vs. a feisty Bears defense in the second half. They will pick up one big third down after another all afternoon.

If one of them is hitting most glorious pay dirt, let’s go with Hooper in a goal-line situation. As far as who will lead the team in receptions, it could be Njoku. When it comes to Bryant, he will demonstrate why he won the Mackey coming out of FAU. Simply put, this will be a day where Ozzie Newsome will feel jealous about what his noted position group of his former team did.

Landry may be watching this game on the sidelines, but the tight ends will have his back big time.