In what is one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the Cleveland Browns' season, Todd Monken takes his team back to Florida to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But everyone knows the real story here. It's the quarterbacks. 

Back in 2022, the Browns parted ways with their former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield in favor of Deshaun Watson, despite the fact he faced an onslaught of off-the-field accusations. Mayfield wound up in Carolina for a brief stint, then spent a handful of games with the Rams before settling in Tampa that next offseason. 

He's found a new home there, and produced some of the best seasons of his career in the process while recently earning a second extension from the franchise. Meanwhile, the Watson experience has been a colossal failure with Watson entering Sunday having played in just 20 games for Cleveland since he came over in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans. 

And so, the two collide on Sunday in the ultimate reality check moment for the Browns fans and franchise. Will Mayfield exact his revenge? Or can Watson finally live up to his $230 million fully guaranteed contract. 

Our picks are in. 

This is a rare spot for me. Usually, I try to find all of the ways that this team can win a football game, no matter how bleak it may be. After what we watched last week, those days are gone. For as long as the Browns continue to play Deshaun Watson, they will continue to be a non-competitive football team. Buccaneers win, and Baker Mayfield dances on the Browns' grave.

It's often said that Week 1 is a liar. That the trends and problems we see, don't necessarily define who a team is going to be over the course of the season. I do think there's a lot of truth in that, but, can the Browns really fix all the glaring concerns that showed up against Jacksonville in just a weeks time? Seems unlikely. Of course, those problems start at quarterback, where Watson simply isn't a consistent QB anymore. Bucs win comfortably. 

As it stands right now, the Browns are 8.5 underdogs and again, old me would have very easily justified them covering 8.5 points, to the point that I would put some of my own USD on the spread, but not this game. Buccaneers 42, Browns 10

Just like last week, this line has jumped to 8.5, making Cleveland a massive underdog yet again. I do think the Browns will show a little natural improvement from Game 1 to Game 2, so I don't necessarily think this one turns into the blowout we saw in Jacksonville. Baker and the Bucs still cover though, and he'll have something inflammatory to say afterwards, no doubt. Bucs 27, Browns 17.

The Browns will have a lead

The bold prediction in this game is that the Browns will have a lead in this game. I think that even though they will lose handily, they'll actually come out of the locker room and drive right down the field for an opening three-pointer. Then, from there, it's all Tampa Bay. 

Denzel Ward will get his interception off Baker Mayfield interception

Ward joked earlier in the week that he'd love to pick off his old friend and fellow 2018 draft-mate. I think it happens. Mayfield has produced 125 turnovers since entering the league 8 years ago, which is more than any other QB during that span. There are certainly some emotions for him with this game and I think at least once that will leave him making a play he shouldn't against Ward. Ultimately, the one mistake won't due the Bucs in, though.