Ravens Browns Game Marks Halfway Point in the Season

**Dave Lap** · 11-01-2008, 10:44 AM

If the Ravens can win against a highly motivated team on the road against a division opponent it will testify to the the talent and coaching of the Ravens. If we win I think we can expect the rest of the season to be exctitng and competitive.

To me, the jury is still out on how good the Ravens are. This game will go a long way towards proving to me that the Ravens are a playoff worthy team.

I don't usually put too much credence in one game, because anyone can beat anyone on a given day but, for some reason, I think that how the rest of the season goes is going to be determined by the outcome of this game. It's a litmus test for the Ravens.

If the Ravens are unable to beat the Browns in their stadium when it's a must win for them then I don't think they are going to go far the rest of the season.

**HoustonRaven** · 11-01-2008, 11:07 AM

Any division game is a must win, but I agree this one does have some importance to it.

If you replace the word "Ravens" with the word "Browns" in your post, it would still be accurate. The Browns are looking for the same thing as we are.

**camdenyard** · 11-01-2008, 11:22 AM

McAlister and Rolle are out, AGAIN. I don't like our chances as much with backup corners, AGAIN.

**Jeremiah W** · 11-01-2008, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by camdenyard

McAlister and Rolle are out, AGAIN. I don't like our chances as much with backup corners, AGAIN.

They did not play the last 2 games the Ravens won by a wide margin. The Browns are talented and despearte, but they were in the same boat week 3 and the Ravens flushed it down.

If Rodgers does not dominate the game, the Browns defense is terrible. Jason Brown proved he could block the guy last time. I do not think much has happened to change that matchup. If Rodgers is blocked, they will need to us 8 man fronts, and have not been able to stop passing plays with out the interior rush and 2 deep coverage.

With the other 9 guys on the feild, our CBs are going to have more help than the Browns CBs, who are no better than who ever we line up out there. If the Ravens can stop the run with the front 7 or 6 in a 3 wide set, they will brackett and bump the Wrs and set them up for big hits like the last game.

**camdenyard** · 11-01-2008, 01:22 PM

They did not play the last 2 games the Ravens won by a wide margin. The Browns are talented and despearte, but they were in the same boat week 3 and the Ravens flushed it down.

What?

We beat Miami and Oakland, neither of which strike fear in any defensive backfield.

And CMac and Rolle played in that Week 3 game vs. CLE.

**Jeremiah W** · 11-01-2008, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by camdenyard

What?

We beat Miami and Oakland, neither of which strike fear in any defensive backfield.

And CMac and Rolle played in that Week 3 game vs. CLE.

First of all if any Wr strikes fear in a defensive backfeild, they need to play soccer or something.

Miami beat Buffalo, NE and SD. Ginn had 175 yards against the Bills secondary. Washington shut him down.

The raiders may not really have much of a passing game, but they did knock off a couple teams and came close to beating the Bills.

It is not like Walker and Washington have been exposed as less than decent NFL corners. It was one thing when we had to line up Ivy and Gaston with no pass rush, but with Pryce, Suggs and Nagta collapsing the pocket, the Ravens get mad pressure from only a 4 or 5 man rush. The Cbs have been good enough een without C Mac and Rolle, and Landry, as long as Reed is back there to direct traffic and the pass rush is where it is supposed to be, the Ravens will remain the top defense in football even without the top 2 corners, for a while anyway.

The Clown may get some passing plays in, but as long as we force them to drive, they have proven to make more turnovers than TDs against our defense.

**Beerracuda** · 11-01-2008, 04:45 PM

The key to this game is entirely in our pass rush. Washington and Walker should be sufficient to control the downfield passing, but only if we get constant pressure on Derek Anderson. DA has got to be a bit leery of facing our pass rush. If we bring it, not only will we get sacks, but turnovers as well.

That being said, this game worries me. Our pass rush has been spotty at times, especially on the road (based mostly on the Indy game, of course).

If I was Rex, I'd throw every blitz package we have at them, keeping them guessing all day. We do that, and Cleveland's offense will be very limited.

**4G63** · 11-01-2008, 07:06 PM

This is where Suggs can prove his worth to the Ravens as a needed piece of the puzzle......I for one think he'll have a negligible impact on the game and come up short again, as he so often does against "good" teams.....I hope I'm wrong though!!