Keys To Victory: Lets See The Young Guys
Oct 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns are really starting to heat up. Coming off their first shutout win since 2007 against the Arizona Cardinals and with DeShaun Watson playing another great and clean game, the hopes are high as they go up against their hardest test so far this year.
Cleveland is headed to M&T Bank Stadium to go up against one of, if not the best team in the AFC in the 7-2 Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are coming off a hot streak of their own, beating the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks by a combined score of 75-9. With a chance to make a splash in the AFC playoff picture, here’s what the Browns need to do to topple their divisional leader.
Offense needs to play a clean game:
If the Baltimore defense reels in a turnover, the offense will almost certainly capitalize on the mistake. Besides facing a rookie QB in his first NFL start, DTR throwing for three interceptions was the sole reason that the Ravens destroyed the Browns in their Week 4 matchup. The difference now is that they aren’t going up against a rookie, they’re pitted against an all-pro QB coming off one of his best games as a Brown.
Watson has arrived for the Browns, and more importantly, arrived uninjured, and will be the biggest factor going into this game. If he plays above average, Cleveland will win, but if Watson plays a messy game like he has been against decent defenses, the Browns will fall short. Both the Browns and Ravens have amazing defenses, so it will be up to both offenses to scrap for points.
Expect this game to be low scoring, and hard hitting. Watson must reduce his turnovers in this game for the Browns to come up with a win. The offense will have to play an almost perfect game against such a tough Ravens D. The offense needs to play smart, fast, and above all else, protect the football against Baltimore this week.
Get the young guys into the rotation:
Amari Cooper has been playing one of his best seasons now that he has Watson at the helm. The Ravens defense understands this and will surely have him double covered in the majority of the snaps. With Cooper potentially being clamped all game, and Donovan Peoples-Jones’ departure from the Browns at the deadline, it is up to two of the young receivers on the Browns to finally make an impact.
Elijah Moore and rookie third round pick Cedric Tillman must show up for this battle against the Ravens defense. Moore has been utilized in a whole plethora of ways this season, and it may finally be time to just use him like a receiver. The Watson-Moore connection was raved about all off-season, and it’s about time we see it against the Ravens.
Tillman gets the benefit of the doubt for not really doing much so far this season, considering he is a rookie. All great rookies have their breakout game at some point, and there is no better time for the former Tennessee receiver to have his. Watson needs to start utilizing his young receivers; Cooper cannot do it all as amazing as their connection has been this season.
Stop Lamar’s Old’ reliable:
If there is one thing that is ubiquitous with a Ravens win against the Browns, it’s the use of Lamar Jackson’s legs. In their last meeting, Jackson had only rushed for 27 yards, but gashed the Browns in the scoring column, running into the endzone twice. If the Browns want to split the series this year 1-1, Jim Schwartz’s defense needs to put the vise on the former Louisville QB’s rushing ability.
Baltimore’s OC Todd Monken seems to be steering away from Jackson’s amazing rushing, most likely due to the injuries it has caused the quarterback. Nevertheless, it is always an option for Jackson to use, especially when a play starts to break down.
The Browns’ defense ranks 6th in sacks and 2nd in quarterback pressures, but the pressures do not really mean much unless they can take Jackson to the ground. Again, Jackson is amazing at keeping plays alive and converting when you least expect it, so the Browns defensive line must get to him quick and pull him to the ground quicker to prevent Jackson from pulling rabbits out of his hat.
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