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Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns: 3 early things to think about

By Chris Schisler

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 22: Sione Takitaki #44 of the Cleveland Browns attempts to tackle Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore defeated Cleveland 31-15. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 22: Sione Takitaki #44 of the Cleveland Browns attempts to tackle Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore defeated Cleveland 31-15. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 13: Linebacker Patrick Queen #8 of the LSU Tigers celebrates after making a tackle during the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. LSU defeated Clemson 42 to 25. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 13: Linebacker Patrick Queen #8 of the LSU Tigers celebrates after making a tackle during the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. LSU defeated Clemson 42 to 25. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

2. An immediate test of the new front seven

The Baltimore Ravens changed up a good bit for their front seven. The reason they did that isn’t just about Derrick Henry. Henry and the Tennessee Titans exposed a flaw that the Ravens really only were able to put a bandage on last season. The Ravens were getting beat up front and the defensive line and the linebackers needed an upgrade. Nick Chubb is the player every Ravens fan is concerned about. It was a little over a year ago when Chubb had 165 yards and three touchdowns. If the Ravens are worried about one player it isn’t Baker Mayfield. It isn’t Odell Beckham Jr. or Jarvis Landry. It’s the running back who dominated them early last season.

The Ravens get to test out a starting front seven with at least three new starters. Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe weren’t there to clog up the rushing lanes last season. Patrick Queen wasn’t there to hunt Chubb down either. These aren’t the only newcomers though; Malik Harrison, and Justin Madubuike should make an impact rotating into the game. This is basically a brand new defense when it comes to stopping the run. It should be new and improved. The elite secondary of the Ravens is going to get a lot more help up front.

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It is worth noting that the Ravens held Chubb to just 45 yards in the second game against the Browns. The Browns will be very motivated to get Chubb going, yet Don Martindale has no interest in letting the Browns gash his defense on the ground again.

He may not be the most high profile player on the Browns, but Chubb is the most elite player they have. He had seven games over 100 rushing yards last season. The fact alone that he scored three of his eight 2019 touchdowns in one game against the Ravens makes this a very substantial test for the Baltimore defense. If the test goes well it will be an early indication that Eric DeCosta spent his off season wisely as the general manager of the Ravens.

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