Ravens (2-1) at Browns (2-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland TV: CBS
Spread (BetMGM):
Browns by 2.5
Ravens’ keys to victory: The Ravens must force turnovers. And while he had his best outing as a Brown in Week 3, QB Deshaun Watson has a track record of making bad decisions when he is under pressure. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald must find ways to get his underperforming defensive line after Watson, even if it means bringing LBs Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen on looks to disguise pressure.
Browns’ keys to victory: The Browns will continue to go as far as the arm of Watson takes. With RB Nick Chubb out, they can do their best to replace him in the aggregate with Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt, but these are not backs who can carry an offense. If the Browns want to find sustained success offensively, Watson will have to follow up his Week 3 brilliance with another strong outing against the Ravens. If he can continue to drop the football into the bucket down the field to WR Amari Cooper and company, the Ravens could be in for a long game.
Matchup to watch: Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz vs. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. The Cleveland defense under Schwartz has been perhaps the best in the league through three weeks. However, Schwartz and his unit have not faced a quarterback who can do what Jackson can do. How will the Cleveland defense adjust to his rare skill set? Can it get after him as they have the first three quarterbacks faced?
Who wins? The injuries in the Baltimore secondary will catch up to it as Watson and his receivers continue to find their stride.
Browns 28-21