Browns trying to stack wins as Dolphins visit

The Cleveland Browns have reached the soft part of their schedule riding a two-game winning streak, and their playoff hopes remain alive as they prepare to host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Four of the final six games for the Browns (4-6) are against teams with a combined five wins: Miami, the Arizona Cardinals, and two against the winless Cincinnati Bengals.

Further, the Browns are 2-0 in their division with games remaining against the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, both of whom they've beaten. While chasing down the Ravens in the division is unlikely, a wild-card spot is attainable for the Browns, currently the 10th seed in the AFC. But the big question for the Browns is, can they put aside the distractions to string together quality games and take care of business against inferior competition?

Their first challenge comes in the form of the Dolphins (2-8), who had won two straight before Sunday's loss to the Bills. The Browns are heavy favorites and are playing their third straight home game, but they've lost their best pass-rusher, Myles Garrett, indefinitely (pending appeal) after his infamous meltdown last week against Pittsburgh.

And the Dolphins, despite their lack of talent, play disciplined football. That's a stark contrast to the Browns, who are third in the league in penalties assessed (87) and No. 1 in penalty yardage assessed (822), nearly twice as much as the league-low Dolphins (444). Miami also leads the league in fewest penalties assessed (55).

But in every other way, all signs point to the Browns being able to dominate the Dolphins. Behind running back Nick Chubb, the Browns are 12th in the NFL at 121.9 yards rushing per game and fifth in yards per carry (4.92); the Dolphins average 148.3 rushing yards allowed, second-worst in the league behind only the hapless Bengals.

Chubb is third in the league with 1,011 rushing yards. Further, the Dolphins have allowed 42 sacks -- tied for most in the NFL -- and their offensive line ranks worst in the NFL, according to Football Outsiders. The Browns sport a stingy pass defense, allowing 216.8 yards through the air, good for sixth best in the league.

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (1,687 yards, eight TDs, eight INTs), while an able leader in terms of guile, grit and determination, comes in with a quarterback rating of 79.9, third-worst among qualified passers. The worst quarterback rating belongs to Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (76.8), but he has a streak of three games without throwing an interception against five touchdown passes. His rating in those three games is 95.2.

Further, Mayfield's completion percentage has been in the mid-to-high 60s in three of his past four games. Mayfield's favorite targets so far are the dynamic wide receiving duo of Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. Landry has 49 receptions to Beckham's 48; Landry has 695 yards to Beckham's 692.

For the season, Mayfield has 11 TD passes against 12 INTs. Miami placed starting safeties Bobby McCain (shoulder) and Reshad Jones (ribs) on injured reserve on Wednesday, though no others missed practice. Fitzpatrick was limited with right (throwing) shoulder and forearm issues, but he is still expected to play Sunday.

For the Browns, defensive end Olivier Vernon (knee) and safety Eric Murray (knee) did not practice Wednesday. Vernon was hurt late in a Week 9 loss at Denver and has not played since. 

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)