The Cleveland Browns will take on the Baltimore Ravens in a Week 4 showdown on their home field. This will be the Browns third home game in the first quarter of the season. So far, they're 2-0 in front of the Dawg Pound and have outscored their opponents by a staggering 45 points in those two contests.
With a bye waiting on the other side of their matchup with the Ravens, the Browns could spend their off week with, at minimum, a share of first place in the AFC North if they can get the better of Baltimore. The Ravens are coming off a home loss to a Colts team that they were heavy favorites in so Cleveland should expect Baltimore’s best effort on Sunday.
Here are three keys to victory for the Browns in their Week four matchup with Baltimore
Key to victory No.3: Get off to a fast start
This seems like a no-brainer each and every week. And while there's some truth to that, this week it's imperative that the Browns start fast against this Ravens team. Cleveland has yet to score a touchdown on an opening drive this season. That tendency needs to change this Sunday against an injury-riddled Ravens defense.
When facing a true dual-threat quarterback like Lamar Jackson, the easiest way to take away an aspect of their game is to put them in predictable situations. There are a few ways that you can accomplish this feat, but the clearest path to eliminating Jackson’s ability to use his legs as a weapon is to make the Ravens play from a deficit.
That doesn't mean that if the Browns win the coin toss they need to take the ball first. Stefanski should still defer if they win the coin toss because, until further, notice the Browns defense is what sets the table for this team’s success. But if this offense can get an early lead and force the Ravens into a game of catch-up, Cleveland's defense can go hunting. This is the way.
Key to victory No. 2: Take away the middle of the field
Lamar Jackson is one of one. Because of Jackson’s very specific skillset, it changes the rules of engagement for opposing defenses. Obviously, his ability to affect the game with his legs gets most of the headlines.
But it’s Jackson’s ability to threaten with his legs that open up the middle of the field for big plays in the passing game. The middle of the field is also where Jackson’s favorite target, Mark Andrews, makes his bones. Jackson and Andrew’s connection is special and if you let them get going it can become one-way traffic quickly.
For Schwartz and this Browns defense, funneling the Ravens passing attack to the outside has to be a priority. It will take a group effort from the linebackers and safeties to take away the middle of the field from Jackson.
Expect to see a ton of three-safety looks from Schwartz and the Browns on Sunday with Juan Thornhill as the post and Rodney McLeod as the strong safety. That will free up Grant Delpit to either spy Jackson or shadow Andrews. By mixing up Delpit’s responsibilities Cleveland can use their other weaponized player, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah to fill in the gaps as necessary.
It's going to be all hands on deck for the Browns defense to limit Jackson’s effectiveness on Sunday. But given what Schwartz’ defense has displayed so far, there is no reason to think that they aren’t up for the task.
Key to victory No. 1: Win the turnover battle
The Browns are 2-1 through two games and have a point differential of plus 41 on the young season. But the fact that they have done that while losing the turnover battle in all three contests might be the most mind-blowing statistic.
The turnover differential is usually the most significant statistic in determining wins and losses in the NFL. The fact that the Browns are having the success that they are while still being negative five in the turnover ledger flies in the face of everything we think we know.
But creating turnovers, much like Jarvis Landry’s famous 2018 training camp speech, is contagious. Once this Browns defense, which is playing historically well, starts generating turnovers it will be a game-changer for their offense. Turnovers also have a way of coming in bunches and this Browns defense is overdue.
As talented as this defense is, it is difficult to imagine that they will finish in the negative in the turnover category when it is all said and done. However, the intriguing thought about this Browns defense getting their hands on the football is what they could do with it. Between Thornhill, Delpit, Newsome, Emerson, JOK, and Ward, someone is making a house call in the not too distant future. Book it.