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Ravens: 5 sleepers to watch against the Browns in week 5

By Brett Foote

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Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Kamar Aiken (11) is congratulated by quarterback Joe Flacco (5) after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens have, as it turns out, run a pretty predictable offense through four weeks of NFL action.  With the running game largely stuck in the mud (outside of week 4’s 150 yard performance from Justin Forsett) and nobody stepping up in the passing game behind Steve Smith, Sr. has been the means with which the Ravens move the ball.

But with Smitty sidelined at least this week and possibly more after suffering a back injury last week against the Steelers, the Ravens are going to have to change up their philosophy a bit.  Currently the NFL’s 4th most targeted receiver, Smith as seen a whopping 47 passes (11.8 per game) come his way through 3 1/2 games.

That’s a ton of targets to compensate for, especially when your next most targeted guy has 18 (Kamar Aiken).  Smith has accounted for 35% of the Ravens’ offensive yards as well, a pretty astounding number when you think about it.  And he’s 36 years old.

With a lack of talent behind Smith, the Ravens will be forced to spread the ball around in the passing game, run the ball more, and hope that one or more guys finally steps up.  It hasn’t happened yet, but targets = opportunity.

And since the Ravens host the Cleveland Browns this week, a team that hasn’t won in Baltimore since 2007, there are some potential diamonds in the rough that could emerge as well.  Let’s take a look at 5 in particular that have a good chance at making an impact this week.

Next: Kamar Aiken

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