Cleveland Browns: Keys to a Week 2 victory in Baltimore

It isn’t just the offensive line’s ability to block and the Kizer’s tendency to hold on to the ball for too long that results in sacks and excessive pressure in the pocket. Some of the blame has to fall to Cleveland receivers as well, who had quite a hard time creating separation against the Steelers.

It isn’t an overly talented unit, which complicates an offense starting a rookie quarterback. But the Browns must find ways to get their receivers open regardless, as creative as they need to get.

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It starts with the team’s top wideout Corey Coleman. If the second-year player can make an explosive play or two down the field and draw double coverage, the passing game will have a better chance of opening up. Besides Coleman, the Browns need to use their tight ends in this one. Physicality in the receiving game is something Cleveland lacks besides the presence of David Njoku and Seth DeValve. Against Baltimore’s defense, the Browns can’t afford to leave their receivers out to dry on the outside.

The Ravens are very tough defensively, which will make this one difficult for Cleveland’s passing game. After all, this defense picked off Andy Dalton four times last week and held Cincinnati to 170 yards through the air, less than six yards a pass attempt.

The good news is, Cleveland has shown massive improvements defensively, which should carry over into this game. With an offense that knows they won’t need to score 30 points to win, some of the pressure is off.