The last time these teams met was 2017, when the Packers won in thrilling fashion. Brett Hundley hit Davanta Adams for a touchdown with 17 seconds left to send the game into overtime. Then Hundley and Adams hooked up for another score in overtime to win 27-21. 

It was the 3rd consecutive win in the series for the Packers, who are 2-0 against the Browns when Aaron Rodgers starts.

The Browns, at 7-7, are still scrapping for a wild card spot after losing to the Raiders on a last second field goal despite missing nearly half their starters (including Baker Mayfield) because of Covid protocols. Prior to that game, due to an odd scheduling quirk, they played the Ravens twice in a row, with nothing but a bye week between the games. They beat the Ravens 22-24 two weeks ago after losing to them 16-10 in the first meeting.

Now, on a short week, they go from a Monday night game to a Saturday game with many players still recovering from illness.

The Packers have their own player availability issues, and outside of Kenny Clark, none of their stars are returning yet.

WHEN THE BROWNS HAVE THE BALL

Baker Mayfield (who is expected to be activated from the Covid list) is talented, but his inconsistency is a big reason why the Browns are hovering around .500. He has only 2 games over 300 yards passing this year, but 4 games under 200. He hasn't broke 250 yards since week 5.

He doesn't have the strongest receiving group, either, with Jarvis Landry (who is expected to be activated from the Covid list) and Donovan Peoples-Jones as starters. However, that's not the heart of their passing attack.

At tight end, the Browns use Austin Hooper and David Njoku quite a bit and they are tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions with 3. The Packers had some problems guarding one good tight end last week and, while neither of these guys are in Mark Andrews's class, they are talented enough to cause problems for the Packers. Cleveland can really force some matchups with two tight end sets and the Packers will need to be ready for the pass or run in those formations. 

Nick Chubb is a beast of a running back, but has been cool lately, rushing for less than 4 yards per carry the last three 3 games after a hot streak where he averaged over 6 yards per carry with nearly 120 yards per game in a 5 week span. He's capable of going off at any time and, even with Kenny Clark back, the Browns may attack the middle of the Packers defense with him and try to control the clock and wear down the defense like the Ravens did.

I would expect Cleveland to run a lot of two tight end sets to keep the Packers out of their preferred defensive alignments. Kenny Clark and De'Vondre Campbell will be key in bringing stability in the middle so the rest of the defense can adapt to the Browns attack.

WHEN THE PACKERS HAVE THE BALL

The Browns have a solid defense that ranks in the top 10 in both rushing yards and passing yards, while ranking 5th overall in total yards allowed.

Myles Garrett (who tanks 3rd in the league with 15 sacks.) and Jadeveon Clowney are a pass rushing tandem that can do some serious damage. Garrett is questionable with a groin injury and Clowney's status is unknown on the Covid list, but if they play, it could make things tough for Green Bay. The Packers have been doing great with backup offensive linemen, but Yosh Nijman and Dennis Kelly may be overmatched today.

The Packers will need to be ready with hot routes, but missing MVS puts them in a tough spot.

Denzel Ward doesn't get a lot of press playing in Cleveland, but he is one of the more talented corners that Davante Adams will face this year. Without MVS to provide a deep threat, the Browns may feel comfortable double teaming Adams all day to limit him like Baltimore did.

That means Allen Lazard will need to step up. Rookie cornerback Greg Newsome, who has been playing quite well, will miss the game after being added to the Covid list. Greedy Williams could be called on to guard Lazard in his absence. An intriguing player at 6'2 with 4.36 speed, Lazard will have to muscle past Williams. At a slight 183 pounds, Williams gives up 40 pounds to the 223 pound Lazard, making for an interesting battle.

Really, though, as last week showed again, coverages don't really matter. If Rodgers gets a little time to throw, he can squeeze it into pretty much any mailbox on the field, practice or not.

The Packers could easily get back to running the ball today, though. In the Browns's worst game of the year, a 45-7 blowout at the hands of the Patriots, they allowed New England to run up and down the field, gaining 184 yards on 34 carries. In their last 5 games, the Browns have given up an average of 143 yards rushing.

They Packers have the talent to rotate their backs, wear down the Browns front to slow the pass rush, and dominate on the ground. The only question (which we've asked almost every week) is: will they?

OTHER NOTES

The Browns don't have impressive takeaway numbers on the season, but they've been warming up and have 10 takeaways in their last 4 games. The Packers will need to protect the ball, especially in the cold.

Cleveland is also responsible on offense, ranking 4th in the league in fewest turnovers. They've only turned the ball over once in the last two weeks and have 6 games where they didn't turn the ball over at all this year. The Packers, meanwhile, feast on turnovers and are 10-0 all year when they get a takeaway. 

Cleveland rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is a player to watch. A dynamic athlete, he played mostly rotational snaps to start the season, but has been on more that 80% of th snaps the last 3 weeks and came up with half a sack and a forced fumble last week. With limited film on how he fits as a full time player, he could bring some unscouted looks for the Packer to contend with

The Packers have started 9 games this year with 0 points int he 1st quarter after being a hot start team last year.

Special teams were better last week than the week before. Let's stay optimistic and hope that improves.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I think this game may be tougher than many think. The Packers are more talented, but their injuries are mounting and the Browns are a bad matchup with a terrorizing pass rush and a versatile two tight end offense.

Cold weather isn't going to affect them, either.

I think this game can go a lot like last week's game where they start slow, pull away, then let them get close later. My hope is the home crowd and Christmas spirit give them a little more of an edge and maybe they even manage a field goal in the 1st quarter today.

The Packers grind out another win and hopefully are closer to getting back a few All Pros for the final games.

Packers 30, Browns 22