Baltimore Ravens: How do they match up against the Cleveland Browns

The Ravens offense against the Browns Defense:

The Browns defense was solid against the ground game in 2017 as they ranked seventh in rushing yards allowed per game. The problem for Cleveland is that they struggled against even moderately good passing attacks. The Browns defense ranked 31st in points allowed and 14th in total yards allowed. It’s the classic story of decent front seven, not so great secondary. The Browns defensive line is led by Myles Garrett. Garrett is by far their best player, he recorded seven sacks in 2017. Christian Kirksey and Joe Schobert are tackling machines at the linebacker positions.

Joe Flacco came close to a 300 yard performance against the Browns in the back half of the 2017 season. Flacco even managed 217 yards and two touchdowns in the week 2 battle with the Browns. The Ravens passing game was abysmal to start the season. When you consider that Flacco only completed nine passes for 121 yards the week before and had a cringe worthy 28 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars, that wasn’t a great look for the Browns defense. Denzel Ward should help the Browns pass defense, but with the Ravens new group of pass catchers, Baltimore shouldn’t be too afraid of it. The Browns run defense was solid but the Ravens were able to do some damage to it in 2017.

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The Ravens have to take the Browns seriously, but if they take care of business the dynamics of this rivalry shouldn’t change. Baltimore should be in for another sweep of the Browns, however they will have to work harder for it than they usually have to.