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Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns week 1 Ebony Bird round table

By Richard Bradshaw

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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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) /

Chris Schisler:

The Baltimore Ravens are a known commodity. They have the same coaching staff, the MVP and last year they won 14 games. The Cleveland Browns are an unknown commodity. They have a new head coach, and their young quarterback has something to prove. Even if the Browns are going to be better this season, it’s a lot to ask of a team that hasn’t proven anything and has a new coaching staff, to beat the purple and black. Continuity is a huge advantage and the talent sways the Ravens way as well,

It’s week one. Anything can happen and all of that good stuff. The Titans game last year is another good example of why the Ravens can’t take this for granted, but come on this has to be a win. The Ravens are supposed to be one of the best teams in the NFL and beating the Browns at home, even if they are playing in front of cardboard cutouts, is something that should be expected of them. With the Browns linebacker position looking like a weakness expect Mark Ingram to have a big day. I see no player on the Browns roster who matches up well with Mark Andrews, so it may just be a great day to be named Mark and wear purple.

It boils down to the fact that I don’t think the Browns can stop the Ravens. In M&T Bank Stadium I have a hard time imagining that the Browns have enough fire power to keep up with the Ravens. We all know that 40-25 happened. It didn’t happen with Marcus Peters, Calais Campbell, Derek Wolfe or Patrick Queen. The Ravens have a brand new defense and they are going to show it off in the first week of the NFL season. Lamar Jackson is going to put on a show. The Ravens will be hungry and motivated. I don’t think the Browns qualify as a trap game in an opening game. Even if the Browns are a different team under Kevin Stefanski, the Ravens are the established monster of the AFC.

Related Story. Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns: Purple Friday Q&A Week 1. light

Here are my predictions for the game.

  • The Ravens will win the game by two or three scores.
  • Calais Campbell will tip three passes from Baker Mayfield and one will lead to an interception
  • Nick Chubb gains 40 yards in the game and the Browns become one dimensional. Marlon Humphrey takes out Odell Beckham Jr., Marcus Peters limits Jarvis Landry.
  • J.K. Dobbins impresses in his first game with a few big plays.
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