What to Watch for Browns vs. Ravens
The Cleveland Browns (2-1) will host the Baltimore Ravens (2-1) at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday. Both teams are in a three-way tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers on top of the AFC North.
Injuries are the major storyline heading into this one. For the Browns, quarterback Deshaun Watson and tight end David Njoku are listed as questionable less than 24 hours ahead of the game.
Watson is dealing with a bad shoulder contusion that limited his throwing all week in practice. Njoku is questionable after sustaining burns in an accident that took place at his home on Friday night.
The Ravens have already ruled out five players for the game and left tackle Ronnie Stanley is officially listed as doubtful. They will be without receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman, in addition to pass rushers Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo, who the team placed on injured reserve on Saturday.
Look for the Browns to try and capitalize on their advantage with their offensive line matched up against a depleted Ravens defensive front in the run game. The Ravens gave up 139 yards rushing to the Colts without their dual threat quarterback Anthony Richardson.
It could be a big day for Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr., if the o-line can get to the defenders on the second level. Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, who made headlines for some of his comments this week may have his hands full in this one.
The Ravens will also be challenged to stop the pass with the absence of Oweh and Ojabo in the pass rush and cornerback Marlon Humphrey not yet back from a foot surgery late in preseason. The Ravens will try and get pressure by blitzing from the secondary. Safety Kyle Hamilton has been very good and had three sacks in last week's game.
For the Browns defense, they will face the most mobile quarterback they have seen all season in Lamar Jackson. I would expect Jackson to try and escape out of sacks and break contain for some big runs. Linebackers Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Anthony Walker will need to be in position to limit Jackson on his escape attempts.
If the Browns can exercise discipline and not allow their aggressiveness to be used against them, I find it hard for the Ravens to find enough points to win the game ultimately.
I think the Browns win another home game soundly in this one. I am picking them to win in similar fashion 26-9 over the Ravens.
