CLEVELAND -- The Cincinnati Bengals enter Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns having dropped two straight contests and three of their last four outings, but interim coach Gregg Williams knows his team will be in for a challenge at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.
With multi-time Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Green doubtful for today’s game, the Browns are expecting a heavy dose of dual-threat running back Joe Mixon.
“I see a more experienced player there,” Williams said. “He had our respect last year. He is able to lower his pads and run with power. As patient as he was last year, we see the patience in him this year as a runner.
“Would not say that there are similarities between him and (Le’Veon) Bell from Pittsburgh, but you will see some things on how he will search out the back end of a run. He will be pressing it front side, and then, all of a sudden, he comes out the back of it.”
In two years with the Bengals, Mixon has rushed for 1,210 yards and nine touchdowns on 306 carries. Additionally, Mixon has been on the receiving end of 54 passes, which he has converted into 464 yards and one score.
Through eight games this season, Mixon has rushed for 584 yards on 128 carries and already eclipsed a career single-year best with five running scores. Also, Mixon has converted 24 catches into 177 yards and one touchdown.
“His patience and instinctiveness have grown,” Williams said.
“That comes from more time, more time in the feel of the pro game and the feel of experience with his blocking people on what they are trying to do. That is a top priority on how we go about playing this game is our ability to minimize his effectiveness in the game.”
A teammate of Mixon’s while at the University of Oklahoma, Browns rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield is not surprised to see the second-year rusher having success with the Bengals.
And Mayfield expects his defensive teammates will hear plenty from Mixon should he have success against the Browns.
“Joe is going to talk, and he is going to back it up,” Mayfield said. “No matter what he is saying, you have to go up and you have to swarm tackle. He is a special player. He is one of the best teammates that I have ever had. He is a guy that gets guys around him to rally behind him. He is fun to play against just because of the trash talk.”
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