Winner of Browns-Bengals Likely Determined at Line of Scrimmage

Even as the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals have built their offenses around their respective quarterbacks, the line of scrimmage is going to be a major determining factor in the outcome of the season opener. Both teams have increased their investment on the trenches and this is their first opportunity to show them off at full strength.

The Bengals have gotten off to slow starts the past two seasons, losing their first two games. Last year, when their offense really took off (after the Browns waxed them on Halloween), one of the keys was getting more out of the running game and striking a better balance overall.

Joe Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but he's more dangerous when the Bengals get production out of Joe Mixon and the ground game. Part of the reason the Browns have had success against Burrow is because the Bengals often end up one-dimensional. Even as the Browns defense has been downright dreadful at times, they can figure out how to beat teams that drop back to throw every play.

Especially now with the additions of Za'Darius Smith, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Maurice Hurst, the Browns are better equipped to rush the passer which should make the life of the defensive backs easier as they defend Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.

That incentivizes the Bengals and any other opponent the Browns will face to run the ball more to help the pass protection and keep the offense on schedule. The Browns signed Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris to improve the team's run defense and create more obvious passing situations that enable defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to send pressure packages at the quarterback.

The Bengals signed Orlando Brown Jr. in the offseason in an effort to upgrade left tackle and moved Jonah Williams to the right side. Brown should help in pass protection, but they also hope he can improve the running game.

Last season when the Browns lost to the Bengals in the second matchup, hulking defensive tackle D.J. Reader took over the game, dominating the line of scrimmage. The Bengals were able to force the ball into the hands of Deshaun Watson, who at that point was simply ill equipped to carry the offense. Even as the Browns are confident Watson will be far better this season, a balanced attack only makes their quarterback more dangerous.

The Browns may change how they use Nick Chubb, but he's firmly a part of their gameplan. When he succeeds, it will open up more opportunities for Watson both as a passer and runner.

The Bengals are hoping that Reader and B.J. Hill can once again control the line of scrimmage, limiting Chubb and freeing up their linebackers to help defend the array of Browns receiving threats.

There's no getting away from how important quarterback play will be in this game. Both teams have paid handsomely for their respective signal-callers, counting on them to lead them to success. A critical component of enabling their quarterbacks to thrive is going to be determined by which team is able to win the line of scrimmage, which is why it's worth watching in this matchup.