5 Cleveland Browns Bold Predications in rematch with the Baltimore Ravens
By John Suchan
Bold Prediction No. 3: Cleveland Browns defense records 5 turnovers
The Browns defense picked off Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson four times in their game two weeks ago and the team still lost. The Cleveland offense only produced one lousy field goal out of that defensive accomplishment.
That, in a nutshell, shows the complete disconnect of this Browns team this year. Why this team is having such a difficult time I think has to do with the lack of trust and buy-in from the players this season. It’s an old story that repeats itself time and time again in Cleveland Browns lore.
One thought that after Browns coach Kevin Stefanski arrived a year ago that maybe, just maybe this team and organization had turned a corner on a path to consistency in winning. I certainly would have predicted, like you, that if your team grabbed four interceptions in one game then your team would be a winner.
A few seasons ago, in the 2018 opener between the Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers the Browns recorded six turnovers and yet they couldn’t win the game and the contest ended in a tie 21-21. At the time, Cleveland was coming off a 0-17 2017 season, so fans of the team were happy with the progress and not another loss but still having that many turnovers and not getting the win was inexcusable in the same way the loss to the Ravens two weeks ago was.
So, the Browns defense will give its offense one more turnover just to play it safe. If the five turnovers don’t produce a win, I’m not sure what would.
Bold Prediction No. 4: Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt go for 200 combined yards
Both of the Browns running backs had very subpar efforts in the last game against the Ravens which was very uncharacteristic. They combined for 15 carries and 36 yards on the ground. Chubb caught two passes for 23 yards.
These two backs have combined for some big numbers over the years. A season ago, when the Browns played the Ravens in that Monday Night Football classic where the Ravens hung on for the 47-42-win Chubb and Hunt had 213 combined yards.
The Browns have to establish the run game early on Sunday. Their coaching staff should not abandon the bread and butter of the team. The team is averaging 147 yards a game rushing. The coaching staff has to know this so I certainly expect to see a much more concerted effort with the play calling and it should be much more balanced between the run and pass.