The Cleveland Browns will look to win consecutive games for the first time this season when they play host to the Baltimore Ravens in a key, Week 4 AFC North divisional clash.
Both teams will enter Sunday's contest with identical 2-1 records, with the Ravens slightly up in the standings, with a better divisional record (1-0) compared to 1-1 for the Browns.
Cleveland is coming into this game after one of the most impressive defensive performances you'll ever see when they throttled the Tennessee Titans 27-3. Baltimore is limping in after a 22-19 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
This will be the last game for the Browns before they have an early bye week in Week 5, while the Ravens will travel to Pittsburgh for a third divisional road game. Both teams will have played the rest of the division after Week 5. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh don't play one another initially until Week 12.
Here are the three big storylines when the Browns host the Ravens in Week 4.
3. Kicking will matter
Normally, the Ravens would have the clear advantage in this department, and maybe they still do since Justin Tucker is still on the roster, but the Browns have seemingly found a kicker of their own in Dustin Hopkins.
Tucker, who is arguably the best kicker in NFL history has shown chinks in his armor, missing two kicks in the first three weeks, including a game-winning attempt in the fading seconds of regulation against the Colts.
To be fair, that kick was from 61-yards out, but it failed to clear the crossbar and secure a victory.
Hopkins has converted on seven of eight attempts this season, including 2-of-2 from 50-plus yards, and a perfect 7-of-7 at home. The change from Cade York to Hopkins has paid off thus far and could be a key factor this week.
Kicking matters in the NFL and that will be the case Sunday, as one of these two teams will get to win No. 3 on the season.
2. Can the offense continue to build momentum?
Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns offense looked night and day from Week 2 to Week 3. Three touchdowns and two field goals helped keep the game out of hand.
Watson looked a lot better and had his best start since coming to The Land, completing 27-of-33 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns. The key stat is 0, as in the number of turnovers he had.
It started off a little rocky but picked up the pace and momentum and got into a groove. Watson was able to look cool, calm, and collected at times, while also being able to use his legs to escape pressure and make good throws.
Amari Cooper had a big game with seven catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. He should have had another score and plenty of more yards, but the referee somehow called Cooper out of bounds, when it was clear as day he was nowhere close.
In the first game without stud running back Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford had himself a day in his first NFL start. He rushed for just 18 yards and had 33 receiving yards, but also scored a touchdown in each department. His rushing touchdown was the first of his career and that was the second week in a row he caught one.
Baltimore surrenders 292.3 yards per game, including 200 through the air. Cleveland has averaged 366.3 yards per game, with Watson throwing for 205.7 yards per game.
This would be a big early-season statement if the offense can build off the Week 3 performance and put together another brilliant performance.
1. New Browns defense vs familiar foe in Lamar Jackson
The Browns made upgrades all over the defensive side of the ball this offseason for games like this. The games against the Ravens who have Lamar Jackson as the signal caller.
Jackson has had success against the Browns and has always given the defense fits, but that's just who he is. He has passed for 1,404 yards, 11 touchdowns, and six interceptions while completing 66.3 percent of his passes. He's also rushed for 570 yards and four touchdowns.
The Ravens are 6-3 against Cleveland with Jackson under center.
This year could finally be the year the Browns get the better of the former league MVP as they have come out of the gates firing on all cylinders and living up to the hype. The hiring of Jim Schwartz to be the new defensive coordinator is one that is paying off brilliantly.
Jackson and the Ravens struggled against the Colts, especially in the fourth quarter and overtime. He said he was "ticked off" after the game after Baltimore could not take advantage of an opportunistic field position.
If Cleveland is able to continue to overwhelm opposing offenses, Jackson won't see too many good field positions. So far this season, the Browns have yet to take a defensive snap inside their own 10-yard line.
Myles Garrett has played like a man on fire, Denzel Washington style, racking up 4.5 sacks thus far. With a new supporting cast and Schwartz calling the plays, Garrett has been able to roam as he pleases and really confuse the opposing offense.
Grant Delpit is having a career year and has benefitted from this new defensive scheme. He has a team-leading 16 combined tackles, 13 being solo, also a team-high.
The key to this game will be linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who the Browns drafted to play against guys like Jackson. He has also benefitted greatly from the addition of Schwartz, as the improved play of the defensive line has allowed the linebackers to play more freely.
JOK possesses the speed that is needed to try and neutralize Jackson when he tries to take off from the pocket and make a play with his legs.
If the defense can continue the historic start, then this could be a long afternoon for Mr. Jackson.