Ravens vs. Browns key match up: Battle of the trenches

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 22: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns shakes off a tackle by Matthew Judon #99 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: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns shakes off a tackle by Matthew Judon #99 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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Ronnie Stanley #79 of the Baltimore Ravens (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

When the Ravens have the ball:

The Ravens offensive line has really yet to fail against the Browns. In the one game where a Lamar Jackson lost to the Browns, the offensive line wasn’t the problem. The one common characteristic of each of these games has been the Ravens running the ball well. The Browns defensive front is intimidating. Quality defensive tackles, Larry Ogunjobi and Sheldon Richardson are sandwiched in between Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon. The Browns have the talent to crash the party and that can’t be ignored.

Baltimore can have faith in their offensive tackles. Ronnie Stanley and Orlando Brown Jr. should win the fight the majority of the game. At the very least they will give enough resistance to make sure that the defensive ends can’t catch up with Jackson. The trick of this match up comes inside. Can the Ravens hold up at right guard. If it’s Phillips, the Ravens are counting on a rookie. Four of the five offensive linemen for Baltimore are known quantities. Until we see it on the field, the right guard isn’t one.

There is no clear winner when you look only at offensive line vs. defensive line. This is good vs. good. The Ravens offensive line will get help from Nick Boyle and Pat Ricard, not to mention that they have the fastest quarterback alive. With Boyle and Ricard as blockers, and linebacker not being the strength of the Browns, the advantage starts to turn purple. If the Ravens run the ball effectively they should have the upper hand. You can’t forget the game in Cleveland last year though, where the offense struggled for a bit before getting on a role. The Browns have to be stiff against the run and knock Jackson’s offense off schedule. It will be tough for them to do, however they do have talent on the defensive line.

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