The NFL schedule kicks off for Week 5 with the Cleveland Browns and the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night football and the matchup is a solid one despite the fact that both teams will likely miss the playoffs, as each are coming off of a win in Week 4 and are looking to go for two in a row on the NFL Network at 8:30 pm.
The Browns are coming off of an impressive victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, a playoff team from last season, while the Buffalo Bills are coming off of a win over the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens. The Browns have played solid defense over the past couple weeks and Brian Hoyer has shown that he can handle the starting job and that has been a boost to players like Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron. The Cleveland Browns made the biggest move of the NFL season a couple weeks ago, trading their starting running back and former first round draft pick Trent Richardson to the Colts for a first rounder in the upcoming draft.
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The move was a big one for the Browns, as they now have two picks in the first round next year as well as multiple picks in the third and fourth rounds, meaning they can make a trade or can package picks to get the player they see as best fit for their team. According to ESPN.com, Richardson was moved despite the Browns liking him as a player, as they felt this was the best way to start turning around the team after another bad start and also because they felt that Richardson did not fit the scheme that coach Rob Chudzinski likes to use.
The game is streaming live on NFL.com.
The trade of Richardson puts a big hit on the Cleveland offense and now wide receiver Josh Gordon is by far the best player left on the team. Since Brandon Weeden is out, Gordon is the top fantasy option for the Browns and could put up solid numbers, but if Brian Hoyer continues to start, that could be an issue. Gordon will be a threat to score no matter who is playing quarterback due to his speed, but he will be the primary target now for the team that doesn't have many, with Jordan Cameron the only other fantasy option for most owners.
Gordon dealt with off the field issues with his driving citations as well, but now that he is back with the team, Chudzinski can use him in various spots to try and get the best matchups, including in the slot and as a split back. The Browns clearly have next season in mind and while they won't admit to tanking, that is the position they have put themselves in with the trade of Richardson. The team could get a franchise quarterback next season and that obviously would be a boost for Gordon next season as well.
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The Browns did not start off the season well through two games and Richardson was off to a slow start as well, which is why the team felt comfortable trading him. The team made some small roster moves to get Gordon back on the roster for the Week 3 game and the team needed him badly, as they were on the road facing 0-3 against the Vikings. The team is ranked 29th in rushing with just 56 yards per game and are 22nd in passing with just under 220 per game.
