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KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium. TV: CBS, Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots. SERIES HISTORY: 17th regular-season meeting. Series tied, 8-8. The Browns beat the Dolphins four straight times before Miami won, 23-10, in 2013. Romeo Crennel coached two of those victories. Eric Mangini and Pat Shurmur coached one each.
Cleveland Browns (0-2) at Miami Dolphins (0-2)
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GAMEDATE: 9/25/16
KEYS TO THE GAME: For the fifth consecutive regular-season game, the Cleveland Browns are starting a different quarterback. This time, it's rookie third-round pick Cody Kessler, who replaces Week 2 starter Josh McCown, the stand-in for Robert Griffin III, who was hurt in the opener.
To ease the burden on Kessler and attack the Dolphins' porous run defense (136.5 yards per game allowed this season), head coach Hue Jackson is likely to emphasize the run featuring Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson. The Browns like to run to the left behind tackle Joe Thomas and guard Joel Bitonio. Johnson has only six carries through two games and could see more touches out of necessity. A hand injury to standout rookie receiver Corey Coleman robs Kessler of a familiar outlet. Coleman had two touchdowns last week.
A groin injury might keep Arian Foster on the sideline, but the Dolphins are rarely running -- 36 times in two games -- and QB Ryan Tannehill should have time to rock and fire against this Cleveland front seven. If the Dolphins do get traction in the running game, Miami could really roll to a big number at home.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
--Browns LT Joe Thomas vs. Dolphins DE Mario Williams: Williams had only one tackle in the game at New England in Week 2, but he is always a dangerous pass rusher. He has 97 career sacks since entering he league in 2006. Thomas might have to protect a little longer than normal with rookie Cody Kessler at quarterback.
--Browns NT Danny Shelton vs. Dolphins C Anthony Steen: Dolphins Pro Bowl C Mike Pouncey is battling a hip fracture. Even if Pouncey is able to play, this matchup favors the Browns. Shelton, in his second season, is coming off the best game of his career. He made eight tackles against the Ravens last week. He has learned to throw aside the lineman blocking him and make the tackle.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Browns RG Alvin Bailey -- Bailey is being forced into the starting lineup because normal right guard John Greco is shifting to center because regular center Cameron Erving is out with a bruised lung. Bailey will be tasked with blocking Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Pressure will be on Bailey because pass protection has been an issue for the Browns the first two weeks.
FAST FACTS: Cody Kessler will be the 26th different starting quarterback for the Browns since 1999. ... Browns CB Joe Haden intercepted two passes last week, giving him 18 career picks in 78 games.
PREDICTION: Between a Hard Rock and Man named Suh is no place for a rookie third-rounder to break in, but Browns QB Cody Kessler doesn't have a choice. With modest skill talent around him, the Dolphins get head coach Adam Gase his first career win and make it look easy against the already ailing Browns.
OUR PICK: Dolphins, 27-10.
