The Ravens made their case to be known as the NFL’s finest, dismantling the Seattle Seahawks, 37-3. The Browns smothered the Arizona Cardinals, 27-0. Who can have the benefit when these AFC North rivals meet for the second time this season?
Ravens passing sport vs. Browns move protection
Lamar Jackson didn’t full a move longer than 17 yards however carried out effectively in opposition to the Seahawks, finishing 21 of 26 makes an attempt for 187 yards whereas the Ravens’ floor sport took middle stage. Tight finish Mark Andrews was his high goal with 9 catches on 10 targets for 80 yards. Andrews leads the workforce with six landing catches and 23 grabs for first downs. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. ran a nifty path to the nook of the tip zone to catch his first Ravens landing from Jackson’s backup, Tyler Huntley, redeeming himself after a careless fumble simply earlier than halftime. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman broke free on a pair of deep routes within the first half, however Jackson overthrew him each instances. The offensive line has delivered stable move safety, although left deal with Ronnie Stanley allowed Seattle linebacker Boye Mafe to whip round him a number of instances within the first half, with a type of losses leading to a strip-sack.
Such lapses may show way more consequential in opposition to the Browns, who characteristic the league’s high edge rusher in Myles Garrett (9 1/2 sacks, 18 quarterback hits) and an excellent complement in former Raven Za’Darius Smith (two sacks, 19 quarterback hits). The Ravens received’t typically depart both of their tackles on an island in opposition to Garrett. They did a good job in opposition to Cleveland’s celebrity of their 28-3 win at first of October, limiting him to 1 sack, two quarterback hits and a pair of hurries. The Browns additionally deliver strain from their center due to defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson and Maurice Hurst. They blitz on 28.2% of dropbacks, the Eleventh-highest price within the league, and rank first in DVOA in opposition to the move. They current loads of issues past their entrance, with security Grant Delpit (team-high 53 tackles) and cornerback Denzel Ward (9 passes defended, two interceptions) rating among the many finest gamers at their positions. Despite all that star energy, Jackson accomplished 15 of 19 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns (each to Andrews) because the Ravens pulled away simply in Cleveland.
EDGE: Even
Browns passing sport vs. Ravens move protection
Quarterback Deshaun Watson missed the final matchup in opposition to the Ravens due to the shoulder harm that has restricted him to 5 begins this season. He was again within the lineup in opposition to Arizona and accomplished 19 of 30 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns. Say what you’ll about Watson’s spotty type since he took over Cleveland’s offense late final season. The Browns are 4-1 in his begins this season, and he offers them a greater probability than backups P.J. Walker or Dorian Thompson-Robinson (who had no hope in opposition to the Baltimore protection in October). Wide receiver Amari Cooper (17.6 yards per catch) is Watson’s clear high goal, and the Ravens can’t depend on holding him to 1 catch as they did of their earlier assembly. No. 2 receiver Elijah Moore is averaging a disappointing 9.3 yards per catch. Tight finish David Njoku (32 catches, 319 yards, two touchdowns) would be the Ravens’ best concern after Cooper, although he didn’t follow Wednesday due to a knee harm. Left deal with Jedrick Wills Jr. is on injured reserve and rookie Dawand Jones is out with a knee and shoulder accidents, leaving 2021 fourth-round choose James Hudson III and follow squad call-up Geron Christian to fill in for an in any other case stable offensive line.
The Ravens, first within the league with 35 sacks, destroyed Cleveland with strain within the earlier assembly, however a few of that was Thompson-Robinson’s fault. The rookie additionally threw three interceptions. No passing offense has gone off in opposition to coordinator Mike Macdonald’s protection, which holds opponents to a league-low 4.1 yards per try and appears to assault in a distinct mode every week. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy’s two sacks, the second forcing a fumble, prevented Seattle from constructing any hope going into halftime. Defensive deal with Justin Madubuike leads all inside linemen with 7 1/2 sacks and is on a six-game sack streak. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey performed his finest sport of the season in opposition to the Seahawks, however he’s questionable with a hamstring harm that popped up Thursday. Safety Geno Stone made his league-leading sixth interception. Look for the Ravens to maintain him on the sector and use Kyle Hamilton as a giant nickel if Marcus Williams returns from his hamstring harm this week. Everything is clicking for this protection.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens operating sport vs. Browns run protection
The Ravens ran over the Seahawks with a wide range of ball carriers and approaches, displaying how devastating they are often handing off in coordinator Todd Monken’s extra spread-out offense. Rookie Keaton Mitchell was the breakout star, carrying 9 instances for 138 yards and proving he may be simply as elusive operating inside as exterior the tackles, however he’s questionable with a hamstring harm. Gus Edwards led one other brutally environment friendly red-zone efficiency, scoring his sixth and seventh touchdowns of the season. Jackson additionally produced his finest operating sport in a number of weeks, although he could be extra conservative in opposition to Cleveland after he got here up limping within the second half. Afterward, Seattle defenders admitted they’d no thought the place the following run was coming from. The Ravens moved to first within the league in speeding with their 298-yard masterpiece.
The Browns, in the meantime, held a stable Cardinals speeding assault to 41 yards and have restricted opponents to three.7 yards per carry. The Ravens ran for a modest 131 yards on 33 makes an attempt of their earlier matchup, with Justice Hill doing essentially the most harm. Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is Cleveland’s high playmaker in opposition to the run. Tomlinson, Hurst and Shelby Harris current a stable inside wall.
EDGE: Ravens
Browns operating sport vs. Ravens run protection
The Browns miss operating again Nick Chubb. Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt have mixed to common simply 3.7 yards per carry. Third choice Pierre Strong really did essentially the most harm in opposition to the Ravens, carrying 5 instances for 49 yards, however he’s questionable with a hamstring harm. Watson isn’t a prolific runner however averages 5.8 yards per try. The Browns haven’t turned away from the run in Chubb’s absence. They rank first in makes an attempt and third in yards per sport.
The Ravens shut down Seattle’s floor assault, permitting 28 yards on 15 carries. Linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen led the way in which as typical, with exterior linebacker Jadeveon Clowney stifling Kenneth Walker III’s early makes an attempt to get to the sting. The Ravens may be run on, because the Cardinals demonstrated with 129 yards the earlier week. They have allowed 4 yards per carry, a comparatively excessive quantity for a protection that has excelled in nearly each method.
EDGE: Even
Ravens particular groups vs. Browns particular groups
The Ravens prevented particular groups bother in opposition to Seattle. Justin Tucker made all three of his subject purpose makes an attempt, shifting to 16-for-19 for the season, and Jordan Stout boomed a 66-yard punt to disclaim the Seahawks a brief subject. Devin Duvernay hasn’t achieved a lot with kickoffs however remains to be averaging a powerful 14.2 yards on punt returns.
Cleveland kicker Dustin Hopkins has made 20 of 23 subject purpose makes an attempt general and a stellar 7 of seven from 50 yards or past. The Browns haven’t returned a punt greater than 17 yards all season, and Corey Bojorquez has put simply 33.3% of his punts contained in the opponent’s 20-yard line (Stout is at 45.9%).
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens intangibles vs. Browns intangibles
The Ravens couldn’t really feel a lot better after they dismantled one other NFC division chief at M&T Bank Stadium. They’re coping with few vital accidents and can profit from staying dwelling to play two AFC North video games in 5 days. Coach John Harbaugh appears unconcerned about complacency on condition that the opposite three groups within the division are on the Ravens’ heels, all in place to make the playoffs.
The Browns even have cause to really feel assured after their protection annihilated the Cardinals. They’ll see this as a extra sincere shot on the Ravens with Watson again at quarterback. Two of their three losses this season have come on the street, however the Ravens have swept the season sequence simply as soon as since 2018. Coach Kevin Stefanski is 31-27 in 4 seasons.
EDGE: Ravens
Prediction
The Ravens will see a extra aggressive model of the Browns with Watson at quarterback and a protection hungry to show the 28-3 rating of the earlier assembly was deceptive. But the Ravens are nonetheless the extra balanced workforce, capable of win in a number of methods on either side of the ball with a better offensive upside due to Jackson. The dwelling crowd received’t get pleasure from one other blowout however will assist the Ravens by means of a slugfest. Ravens 23, Browns 17
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Source: www.bostonherald.com