Week 5: Ravens at Browns

Ravens head to Cleveland where they haven't seen a loss since Nov 13, 2013. The Ravens lead this rivalry 29-9 since 1999.

This year will be sightly different. The Browns may've finally found a franchise QB in Mayfield. However, he is still a rookie and will make rookie errors. The Browns OL and defense are still their biggest Achillies and forcing a rookie QB to beat an opponent in a shoot out with his arm is not a good recipe for a win. The Ravens D usually feast on rookie QBs even in bad seasons and this should be no different. The biggest concern with Mayfield is that he has a knack for improvisation like Big Ben has been known for.

Heading into week 5 the Browns offense is ranked a mediocre 19th overall and 24th in passing. This up from 31st since Tyrod Taylor when down so there is some danger here. The Browns rush attack is ranked 2nd with 3 capable backs in committee. If Baltimore's offense can open the game to a quick lead, Hue Jackson will have to pass from behind all game neutralizing the run. As Baltimore's D is ranked 2nd overall, 4th ins the pass defense and 4th in the rush defense, they match up well here and could thwart all attempts by Cleveland to move the ball. Where they will be dangerous is if Mayfield will spread the pass game wide with short passes and timed drop backs. It also doesn't help that their two top WRs have wonky knees and have been in limited practice this week. While Calloway returned to practice today, Landry is still questionable. David Njoku could see a heavy workload Sunday.

The Ravens offense will face a 25th ranked defense. The Browns have given up 279 yrd passing (ranked 24th) and 117 yards rushing (23rd) average through 4 games. Joe has been averaging 313 yds and 2 TD passes/game (8th). The Browns soft rush defense meets an equally weak Ravens rush attack (23rd). This battle can go either way but you can bet that Joe will be slinging the ball all over the field.

The Ravens get 3 weapons back this week. The D get Willie Henry and Jimmy Smith back while the offense get TE Hayden Hurst back. Harbaugh said that Hurst was "nearly ready" to play last week so we can infer by that statement that he'll be a go this week. It's insane to think that and already superb defense is going to be even better.

I see this as the Ravens furthering the rivalry lead to 30-9. I also see this a blow out game with a score of the same (30-9). Cleveland has made some great moves and should be contenders...just not this week.

 

All I can say is don't underestimate the Browns. Their defense is young, but very fast. Myles Garrett is already the monster he was predicted to be. Denzel Ward is also playing well, but he's also a rookie.

And, they have Gregg Williams as their DC and Todd Haley as their OC, either of whom could replace Hue Jackson as HC this year. This will also be Mayfield's home field debut.

I don't see the Browns winning, but I think they will give the Ravens a tougher game than anticipated at least for the first half.

 

If the Ravens are still on an emotional high from trouncing the Steelers, then I can see them looking sluggish against the Browns and really get themselves into a hole. Also they are doing back to back road trips which typically is terrible for the traveling team. (We will try to forget next week as well.)

 

Ravens by 10

 

If the Ravens avoid commiting any turnovers, they win by 10 to 14 points. If they commit 1 or 2, they still win by 3.

 

Wink Martindale told NFL.com that Mayfield is this generation's Elway or Farve. Time will tell.

 

Hayden Hurst is playing today. Get him on your FFL squad now before having to compete on waivers next week for him.

 

Game time. Here is to a good game between rivals that stays healthy.

SMITH HYPE.

2k

 

Anything happen. I lost my stream

 

Got it back.

 

Yeah I don't have a working stream either

 

http://www.jokerlivestream.com/streamvideo10/cleveland-browns-live-streaming-4747273.html

 

Damn Crabtree. That's 2 drops.

Browns defense is fast. Really fast.

Ravens had some luck running the ball the 1st set of downs. Why don't they continue that?

 

Damn. Pierce out.

 

Defense looks completely lackluster. Someone needs to light a fire under their ass.

 

Nice sack from Weddle.

 

Where is everyone?

 

Tavon Young out in concussion protocol. I thought it should've been leading with the helmet on his interception.

 

I'll likely only be here between quarters.

Browns defense looking better than ours minus the turnover. That Weddle sack was huge to know them out of FG range

 

Carlos Hyde looking good