Browns vs Vikings: 3 must-see matchups for joint practices

The Cleveland Browns are set to welcome the Minnesota Vikings to Berea for joint practices scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Expect the intensity to ratchet up as both teams look to gain from their most important preseason work.

Teams value joint practices for the opportunity they provide to work on the things the teams want to focus on.

During his media availability on Monday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said, “ I like that you can have controlled settings. I like that both sides can feel confident that their quarterbacks are going to stay upright. And I like that you can script practice and get a bunch of different situations, whether it be third down, two-minute, what have you. For us, sometimes you go through a game, and you don’t get a two-minute, per se, or the third and three doesn’t show up for you, those types of things. So, it allows us to really get intentional work, if you will.”

The Vikings are a very well-coached team and will present challenges for Cleveland on both sides of the ball. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest matchups we can expect to play out during the practices.

Deshaun Watson vs. Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores

Flores runs one of the most exotic defensive schemes in the entire league and will be a challenge for Watson more than Stefanski. The Vikings disguise things very well and have earned a reputation for making quarterbacks look foolish by changing the picture post-snap.

They like to blitz a lot while dropping linemen into coverage and rushing corners and linebackers. Watson will have to be prepared for the chess matchup more so than Stefanski and we should be prepared for the possibility of the passing game struggling.

Myles Garrett vs. Christian Darrisaw

The Vikings recently rewarded their franchise left tackle with a new contract making him one of the highest-paid tackles in the NFL. For Garrett, this will be a chance to flex his medal as the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

The Browns have reportedly had to ask Garrett to ease up in camp going against the team’s backup tackles so the offense can get their work in. He should be chomping at the bit to go full-throttle for extended periods.

Browns corners against Justin Jefferson

Minnesota will bring with them a bonafide star in wide receiver Justin Jefferson. While the Browns have a talented receiving core, no player has had more production to start their career than Jefferson.

We should anticipate both starting outside corners Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson to see plenty of reps against the wideout. It will be particularly interesting to see Emerson against him as the Browns’ young corner has received more and more attention for the great season he had a year ago.

How do you expect the Browns to fare in these key matchups? What else are you interested in seeing? Let us know in the comments below.