The Browns Can’t Afford To Get Tripped Up Against Baltimore
Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Through three weeks of the NFL season, the Cleveland Browns are in good shape at 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the division, but that loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football could certainly come back to haunt them.
So far both Browns’ wins have been extremely convincing, and the defense has been elite. Even though it is a small sample size, this defense is on pace to not only be tops in the league but perhaps historically good.
And even though the Browns enter Sunday as a field-goal favorite by most, this is one of those games where the Browns would get tripped up in the past. I’m hopeful that won’t happen. Here is why it can’t.
Baltimore is Getting Healthy
Even though the Ravens are currently 2-1, they are in the same boat where they believe they should easily be 3-0. They had a ton of injuries last week, and the Indianapolis Colts were able to steal a victory in overtime when the weather was terrible.
On Wednesday it was released that Marcus William (safety), Tyler Linderbaum (offensive line), and Ronnie Stanley (offensive line), who all missed last week’s game, would return to practice.
.@TLinderbaum and @megatronnie have returned to practice ‼️ pic.twitter.com/3RgyGErsdV
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 27, 2023
I know I whine that the Browns are always dealing with injuries, but the Ravens seem to be the team that is always down multiple starters each week, yet they find a way to win.
So not only is this team starting to get healthy, they are also going to be heavily motivated after a difficult loss at home against the Colts.
Look-Ahead Game
I know that these guys are all professionals and the classic “look-ahead game” that you hear about in college shouldn’t happen, but the Browns have a classic situation here where it could get in the way.
Yes, the Ravens are a division rival, but at home the expectation is this should end in victory. The Browns’ defense is built to take away the run and lock up the receivers in man-to-man coverage, which is what Lamar Jackson struggles with the most.
But in just one more week the Browns will be hosting the San Fransico 49ers, who may be the best team in the NFC currently. And I don’t care what you say about the Browns’ offensive line, the pass rush of the 49ers is going to give Cleveland fits if they don’t improve.
As a fan, I can look ahead, and if the Browns take care of business vs. Baltimore on Sunday, I’m not nearly as worried about beating the 49ers. But if this team overlooks the Ravens and loses, then they are in a situation where they must beat San Francisco.
Even though the Browns are coming off a dominant win over the Tennessee Titans, the Ravens are a substantially better team even with injuries. Given the fact that they are also division rivals, the Browns can’t afford to overlook this one and lose another close game.
Tenacious Defense
The Cleveland defense has been playing extremely well, but Baltimore still seems to always find a way to give the Browns trouble.
They aren’t afraid to bring pressure outside of their four primary defensive linemen, and they have talent on the outside that allows them to lock up receivers tightly.
The two things the Browns’ offense has struggled with most is pressure and tight coverage, which is what they are going to get on Sunday.
Even though we finally saw glimpses of the Deshaun Watson we thought we were getting last week, I’m not ready to give him the benefit of the doubt that we will see that every single Sunday.
This offensive line is still a major weakness, and it was crystal clear when Watson had time in the pocket, he was elite — but when he was under pressure, he still made some bonehead decisions, and his accuracy was off.
SACK @kyledhamilton_!!!!
Tune in now on CBS and @paramountplus. pic.twitter.com/NnOPuWVOSk
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 24, 2023
Kevin Stefanski loves utilizing his running backs and tight ends in the passing game, but if they want Watson to be effective, they need to give Jedrick Wills some help on the left side of the line.
Expect to see a ton of blitzes from the Ravens’ defense. Stefanski needs to be prepared to move to the quick passes and screen game to get Baltimore out of that aggression.
If the Browns want to be a true contender in the AFC this year, this is one of those games you must find a way to win, especially with it being at home. Jackson continues to prove he is an elite runner and knows how to get the difficult yards.
The Browns’ defense has certainly been tested in 2023, but this will be their first look at a quarterback as athletic as Jackson. While I have faith they’ll find a way to slow him down, I’ll feel a lot better at 3 p.m. on Sunday if the Browns have another big lead.
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