Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Kamar Aiken (11) catches a touchdown in front of Cleveland Browns cornerback Buster Skrine (22) during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Week 5: Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns
When: Sunday, 10/11/2015 at 1:00 p.m.
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Live Stream: NFL.com
Radio: 98 Rock, Westwood One
Radio Crew: Gerry Sandusky, Stan White, Qadry Ismail
TV: CBS
TV Crew: Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots
Preview: Fresh off their very first victory of the 2015 NFL season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens get to head home this week with a little relief after losing their first three games. Adding to that relief is their home record against week 5 opponent the Cleveland Browns, which stands at 13-3 all time.
In fact, the Browns’ last victory in Baltimore came way back in 2007. The Ravens have outscored the Browns by a healthy 387-213 in those games. In both home and away games, the Ravens hold the lead 24-8, with a scoring advantage of 725-455.
It’s fair to say that the Browns fight an uphill battle every time they face the Ravens. However, like the Ravens they too currently stand at 1-3 but have lost their last two contests by 7 and 3 points respectively. Their loss last week to the Chargers, in San Diego, came only thanks to a last second field goal.
So it’s clear that despite the history between these two teams, this game doesn’t appear to be the cake walk that you might expect it to be. It pits the Ravens’ 16th ranked offense against the Browns’ 32nd ranked defense, and the Browns’ 20th ranked offense against the Ravens’ 13th ranked defense.
Vegas still gives the Ravens the edge here, despite the absence of the Ravens top offensive player, wide receiver Steve Smith. I expect similar results as the Browns have been terrible against the run and not exactly great against the pass either.
Expect the Ravens to establish the ground game with Justin Forsett (150 rushing yards last week) early and often, and for the stout Ravens rushing defense to make life difficult for the Browns’ backs. An early lead will force the Browns to throw more, which will undoubtedly lead to some Josh McCown turnovers.
In the end, it might not be a blowout, but it will be the Ravens’ second win of the season as they attempt to climb out of the AFC North cellar.
Betting line: Ravens -6 1/2 -10, Browns 43 1/2u -10
Prediction: Ravens 27, Browns 21
Next: Will Chris Givens fill the Ravens' need for a deep threat?
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