Cleveland Browns: 3 Stat predictions for Week 1 vs. Ravens
By Cory Kinnan
Nick Chubb goes over 100 yards rushing
Taking a look at the Ravens’ defense, it is surprisingly vulnerable to the rushing attack. While they added All-Pro veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell and former Denver Broncos’ interior lineman Derek Wolfe to their roster, the Browns should be able to neutralize his threat by getting wide in their wide-zone scheme on the ground. Matthew Judon poses a threat off the edge, but he has proven to be a situational pass rusher rather than a force against the run as well.
The Ravens are specifically vulnerable at the second level of their defense as well, starting their rookie first-round pick Patrick Queen along with former Brown L.J. Fort at the second level. Given the significant upgrade to the offensive line, the Browns should be able to hold their assignments in the trenches, getting their Pro Bowl running back into the second level.
At LSU, Queen struggled to make consistent and corrected tackles for the Tigers, and in the NFL arm tackles will not get the job done, especially against Chubb. Campbell and Wolfe pose a threat in the interior, but with a healthy J.C. Tretter at center (hopefully) and a Pro Bowl left guard in Joel Bitonio, the Browns will have the ability to squeeze Chubb into the second level of the defense with frequency.