BROWNS (0-9) VS. RAVENS (4-4)
THURSDAY, 8:25 P.M. ET, M&T BANK STADIUM, BALTIMORE uTV: NFL NETWORK
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
About the Browns: The Browns have a negative turnover ratio and one of the league’s worst defenses in terms of total yards surrendered. It has added up to being the league’s only winless team. One thing that can give the Browns hope this week is that they led the Ravens 20-0 in the first quarter in Week 2 before Baltimore rallied to win. Rookie WR
who caught two touchdowns in that game, is back from a hand injury, and WR is having an outstanding season. The Browns traded for LB last week, and Collins played all 73 defensive snaps in his debut. They’ll need Collins to make a bunch of plays this week to slow the Ravens.
About the Ravens: A week ago, the Ravens were in the midst of a four-game losing streak and really hadn’t been good in any one area besides run defense. Now they’re in first place. The Ravens came off a bye last week and scored a big win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. QB and WR connected on another big play. But the story of that game was the play of the defense, which is getting healthier and receiving contributions from veterans and new faces. The Steelers didn’t cross the 50-yard line until the fourth quarter last week, and OLB and S kept showing up around the ball. The Ravens need better play out of their offensive line and more offensive balance, but they’re confident again and eyeing a return to the postseason.
Cro- well had a career-best 85-yard touchdown run in the first game vs. the Ravens, part of a hot start for the third-year runner. The Browns have struggled to run the ball lately, and a proud Ravens defense will be looking to atone for its slow start in the first game.
He might be the best kicker in the business, and he comes into this game having made 27 consecutive field goal attempts. The
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Ravens hope they can play mistake-free football and not need any last-minute dramatics, but Tucker’s big leg can be a game changer when he’s called upon. Tucker is approaching a 90% success rate for his career, and his 92% success rate in the second half and overtime is the best in NFL history.
Suggs has 16 career sacks against the Browns, his most against any opponent. Among the Browns’ many issues has been a forced shuffling of the offensive line, and if the Browns find themselves in must-pass situations, Suggs might increase that total Thursday night.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Establish the run: The Browns will need to run the ball to keep their struggling defense off the field and keep rookie QB
out of tough spots in a difficult environment. The Ravens have been one of the league’s worst rushing teams and need to achieve balance.
2. Repeat performance: Coleman’s big first quarter was the key to the Browns putting the Ravens in an early hole in the first meeting. For as good as the Ravens defensive numbers have been, they’ve been susceptible to giving up big plays in the passing game. The Browns must take advantage.
3. Find a way: The Browns were especially bad on defense last week and were hurt by a series of penalties and mistakes. The Browns can’t let receivers run free and must find a way to create turnovers if they want to have any chance at pulling an upset.
Zac Jackson