MIKE PRESTON’S KEY MATCHUPS
Browns DEs Myles Garrett and Emmanuel Ogbah vs Ravens OTs Ronnie Stanley and James Hurst: The Ravens have allowed 10 sacks, but some of those have been the result of good coverage. Overall, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has been protected well. The Browns have 12 sacks, and Garrett has 41⁄2. Despite missing two gamess, Ogbah has four tackles and has knocked down three passes at the line of scrimmage. Stanley and Hurst got off to slow starts, but have played well the past two games. Browns CB Denzel Ward vs. Ravens WRs Michael Crabtree and John Brown: Ward was the No. 4 overall pick in the draft and has to be in consideration for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He already has two interceptions and 20 tackles. Because of his size at 6 feet 1 and 215 pounds, Crabtree (18 catches for 184 yards) creates matchup problems, and Brown is a complete receiver who can get deep. It will be interesting to see whether Cleveland will have Ward focus on just Brown. Browns LT Desmond Harrison and LG Joel Bitonio vs. Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs and DT Brandon Williams: Surprisingly, Cleveland has the No. 2 rushing offense, averaging 152.8 yards a game. Harrison became the first undrafted rookie to start at left tackle for the Browns. Bitonio has started all 51 games since being selected by Cleveland in the second round in 2014. Suggs doesn’t have big numbers this season, but still has 11 tackles with 2 1⁄2 sacks. Williams is the key to the Ravens’ run defense.