Ebony Bird
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3 things to watch for as Ravens welcome Browns

By Ian Schultz

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 29: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns catches a pass as Matt Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens defends during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 29: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns catches a pass as Matt Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens defends during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 22: Sione Takitaki #44 of the Cleveland Browns chases after 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 chases after 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) /

2) Encore! Encore!

Lamar Jackson projects to be a staple of this weekly endeavor and for good reason. Last year all he did was set the the NFL ablaze shattering the record books on his way to winning the 2019 NFL MVP Award in unanimous fashion. The numbers were quite gaudy: an NFL leading 36 touchdown passes, 1,206 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground as well. He truly was appointment billing last season.

So what does Jackson and the Ravens offense do for an encore? In his three career starts against the Browns, Jackson is 2-1, averages 221 yards per game through the air, adds another 86 on the ground, and has combined for eight overall touchdowns to just two interceptions. He does alright against them I reckon.

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Remember the opener last year when Jackson and the Ravens shellacked the Miami Dolphins 59-10 when Jackson tossed four touchdowns in the first half? Maybe we shouldn’t expect that dominant of a performance from the reigning MVP as the Browns defense does present some challenges. Myles Garrett is an elite pass rusher and will be a nice test for Ronnie Stanley. Denzel Ward is a strong player at cornerback and will likely draw the assignment of Hollywood Brown. Good luck Denzel!

But the Browns linebackers out and out stink. That’s a recipe for disaster against the NFL’S most prolific rushing offense. Mack Wilson, their only good one, will miss the opener with a hyperextended knee. Their other linebackers include B.J. Goodson, a free agent addition, Tae Davis and Jacob Phillips. The Ravens will run all over them. But remember the second match up last season where Mark Andrews feasted on the Browns for six catches, 93 yards, and a pair of touchdowns?

The Browns linebackers are somehow worse than they were last year. Andrews figures to get a greater snap share with Hayden Hurst having been shipped of to Atlanta. The Ravens also expect more from Brown this season and have added wide receivers Devin Duvernay and James Proche to the mix. I haven’t even mentioned J.K. Dobbins who was the most impressive player in camp.

The Ravens present a ton of match up problems for the Browns but look for Andrews to be the greatest beneficiary.

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