SCOUTING REPORT RUSH DEFENSE
RAVENS
PASSING GAME
Quarterback Lamar Jackson missed several open throws in Tuesday night’s 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys, finishing 12-for-17 with two touchdowns and an interception. He posted his best passing game of the season (20-for-25,
275 yards, three touchdowns) in the Ravens’ previous matchup with the Browns. With the expected returns of tight end Mark Andrews and wide receiver Willie Snead IV, the Ravens should be equipped to reopen their aerial game after two weeks of heavy emphasis on the run.
Nose tackle Brandon Williams and defensive end Calais Campbell returned against the Cowboys, though Campbell still looked to be bothered by the calf injury he suffered in Week 9. Defensive end Derek Wolfe has emerged as the team’s top interior run defender, with a top-five grade at his position, according to Pro Football Focus. Linebacker L.J. Fort has also excelled in more limited duty, belying his modest tackle numbers.
BROWNS
Quarterback Baker Mayfield played his best game of the season (25 of 33, 334 yards, four touchdowns) in last Sunday’s 41-35 win over the Tennessee Titans.
He’s reduced his mistakes, throwing no interceptions in the past five games after he threw seven in the first seven (including one against the Ravens).
The Browns rank third in the league in play-action passing yards, a concern for the Ravens, whostruggled to defend play action against the NewEngland Patriots and Titans.
Cleveland has limited opponents to 4.1 yards per carry after struggling against the run in 2019. The Browns held the Titans and Derrick Henry to 62 rushing yards, in part because they built a big firsthalf lead. Olivier Vernon and Myles Garrett have done excellent work setting the edges, while linebacker B.J. Goodson leads the team with 81 tackles.
Kicker Cody Parkey has made 17 of 19 field-goal attempts and has missed just one extra-point try. Second-year punter Jamie Gillan has struggled, ranking near the bottom of the league in net average and putting just 11 of his 37 kicks inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. The Browns have surrendered 960 return yards.