3 Keys to Browns Beating Ravens
The Cleveland Browns have the chance to get another big AFC North win on Sunday against a Ravens team that has been riddled with injuries throughout the first three weeks of the season. Aside from those injuries, this year's iteration of the Baltimore Ravens has shown a few areas of vulnerability.
Deshaun Watson and the passing game finally seem to be clicking, and they look to string together another solid offensive performance this weekend. In addition to the passing game finding it's mojo, Kevin Stefanski seems to have found a way to maintain a solid level of efficiency in the run game as well, despite losing Nick Chubb in week 2. Jerome Ford has shown good vision and hole recognition as a ball carrier and has proven to be a weapon as a pass-catcher as well.
In terms of how the defense is performing so far, there's not much to say besides that they've been absolutely dominant against both the run and pass.
It's important for Cleveland to bring it's "A" game against Baltimore this weekend, as this rivalry game always brings out the best in both teams.
1. Limit Zay Flowers and explosive passing plays.
Baltimore appears to have found a gem in the NFL Draft at wide receiver. Rookie Zay Flowers has looked really good so far, especially when running vertical routes from the slot. He's been able to combine his 4.42 speed with an above-average amount of twitch and agility to create separation on a fairly consistent basis.
He has been targeted 25 times throughout Baltimore's first three games, and it appears that he's Lamar Jackson's go-to pass catcher outside of Mark Andrews as of right now. In week 2 against the Bengals, Flowers' average depth of target was 13 yards. Lamar Jackson was able to hurt Cincinnati's defense a few times by scrambling around and finding Flowers for some big, chunk-yardage plays downfield. Allowing Baltimore's offense to convert on big 3rd-downs is never a good thing.
Indianapolis was able to do a good job of limiting Baltimore's deep passing game in week 3. Here is what Lamar Jackson's post-game passing chart looked like:
Image generated by NextGen STATS.
25 out of Jackson's 31 attempts were within 10 yards from the line of scrimmage. The Colts' defense was okay with Baltimore's passing game being efficient underneath, as long as they didn't let receivers get behind the secondary.
If Cleveland can limit Flowers' effectiveness in the deep portion of the field, like Indianapolis did, it'll go a long way in terms of being able to contain the Ravens offense as a whole.
2. Keep Deshaun Watson upright in the passing game.
Cleveland's offensive line played better in week 3 against the Titans, especially on the interior, after having a rough start to the season in weeks 1 and 2. This naturally led to Watson's best game as a Cleveland Brown. He looked calm, decisive, and confident in the pocket which allowed him to show off his arm talent and playmaking ability.
Giving Deshaun Watson an ample amount of time to throw against Baltimore is important for two reasons:
1. In order for this Browns offense to be firing on all cylinders, Watson needs to be effective as a passer.
2. The Ravens' pass defense is extremely underwhelming right now. They're allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 63.57% of their passes.
If Deshaun Watson and this Cleveland passing offense can be as efficient and effective as it was against Tennessee in week 3, Baltimore is going to be in trouble.
3. The pass rush needs to shine, again.
Jim Schwartz has had Cleveland's defense and specifically the defensive line unit performing at an elite level since week 1. It's imperative for Myles Garrett and Co. to continue dominating in the trenches against Baltimore because it looks like they're going to be getting both starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley and C Tyler Linderbaum back this week.
Lamar Jackson has been struggling under pressure this season, only completing 6/16 passes with one interception according to PFF. To go along with that, he also has an 8.3% turnover-worthy throw rate when under pressure as well.
If Jim Schwartz can consistently create havoc via defensive line stunts and blitzing, then this Baltimore passing game is going to be rendered ineffective from the get-go.
The Ravens always prove to be a formidable opponent so it won't be easy, but these three keys could help lead to a crucial divisional win at home on Sunday.
