Cleveland Browns Week 4 predictions vs. first place Ravens
By Randy Gurzi
Writer: Elliot Kennel
Game Cleveland Browns (1-2) at Baltimore Ravens (2-1) The Browns spent their entire off-season figuring out how to beat the Baltimore Ravens and this is the big test.
Although your humble correspondent has spent the better part of two years warning that the Ravens and Lamar Jackson are a force to be reckoned with, the Browns have spent the off-season building a team that can compete against the Ravens.
This is the week that it happens. The last time the two teams played last December, the Ravens annihilated the Gregg Williams offense on the ground, rolling up 296 yards on the ground.
Anyone who knows a thing about football knows you can’t give up that kind of yardage on the ground, even if your quarterback is Baker Mayfield and can throw from 376 yards against that team (which he did, by the way).
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The Browns made three big moves on defense in the off-season. First, they obtained Olivier Vernon from the New York Giants, giving them a second pass rusher. Second, they signed Sheldon Richardson, plugging the hole at defensive tackle. Most importantly, they got a new defensive coordinator in Steve Wilks, who brought in a 4-2-5 defense.
Out goes Jamie Collins in comes an extra safety. You need a credible defensive line to shut down the run game and reduce the play-action possibilities. Then you also need defensive backs to handle the read-option plays and other ground game surprises that occur with a mobile quarterback. As for the Browns, they have been in a funk, but they are not terrible.
They played the NFC Champions last week and were in the game until the last play. Mayfield is the number 11th best quarterback as measured by passing yards. He is not last. Nick Chubb is seventh-best in rushing yards in the NFL. If they can get some consistent play from the offensive line, they will make yards and score points.
This is a game between two powerful teams that will contend for the playoffs, but the Browns get the edge because the way that they match up.
Prediction: Cleveland Browns 27, Baltimore Ravens 26.