For the Bengals and Burrow, not only do they have to deal with players like Garrett and Ward, but they're also dealing with Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. In an attack-first defense, the Browns are looking to get after the quarterback and ball carrier, and Schwartz is scheming up different looks to be able to do that.
Since Schwartz joined the Browns in 2023, Burrow has seen a Schwartz-led defense four times. Burrow said that as a quarterback, it's hard to know what the coverage is pre-snap, forcing him to react to it post-snap. With a pass-rusher like Garrett on the other side of the ball, that makes it difficult to diagnose the defense post-snap before getting hit.
"(Merging your coverages), that's kind of the flavor of the league, that's what everybody is trying to do now. (Schwartz) has his own unique way of doing it," Burrow said. "I think their corners are some of the best in the league. It's always really hard when we go against them. Then, their defensive line is really disruptive, led by (Myles Garrett) but they have other guys who can get after you too."
With a divisional battle in Week 1, the Bengals want to get a win in their first game for the first time since 2021 and get a hand up in the AFC North.
"I like where we're at and now we just have to go out there and get it done," Taylor said.