The Ravens have won 11 of their 12 contests against the Browns during the John Harbaugh era by an average score of 24-13. Oftentimes, particularly in Cleveland, the games have been closely fought battles until late in the game when the Ravens have persevered.
Expect more of the same today.
Here are a few things to look for when you aren’t watching the ball…
1. Phone booth: Last week against the Steelers (which by the way seems like a month ago) the Ravens did a great job of keeping Ben Roethlisberger contained. His pocket was small which disrupted his rhythm and his arm angles, which affected his accuracy. Expect more of the same when the Ravens front seven takes on Brian Hoyer.
2. Sizzle: Terrell Suggs has 15 career sacks against the Browns, the most against any NFL opponent. Joe Thomas is a very formidable opponent and that will be a fun matchup to observe. Suggs gets of the snide today with his first sack of the season.
3. Brittle Bernie: Ravens tailback Bernard Pierce is a question mark today as he fights of the effects of a thigh injury. The team released Deonte Thompson yesterday to make room for tailback Fitzgerald Toussaint. You thinking what I’m thinking? Look for Lorenzo Taliaferro to have a role in the outcome of today’s game.
4. Brown on Browns: Marlon Brown has been very stealth so far this season and is still seeking his first catch. Last season in his two games against the Browns Marlon had 9 catches for 99 yards and 3 scores while being targeted 15 times. The 6’5” wide out should get a few looks against the Cleveland secondary that has struggled against tall receivers.
5. Man in The Middle: Brandon Williams had an extremely productive 9 snaps against the Steelers. The question is, why so few? This week he’ll see more action, particularly with Timmy Jernigan listed as doubtful. It will be a great test for the second-year DT who will be challenged by one of the league’s premier centers, Alex Mack.
NOTES
Joe Flacco is 11-1 against the Browns with 15 TD passes against 6 interceptions to go with a 91.5 passer rating…Elvis Dumervil has faced off against the Browns 6 times during his career and has 10 sacks. He’s successfully taken down Browns’ QB’s in four of those six games… Browns head coach Mike Pettine began his NFL coaching career in Baltimore as a coaching and video assistant in 2002. He was also a defensive quality control coach (2003), defensive assistant (2004) and outside linebackers coach (2005-08) for the Ravens…Andy Moeller is the Browns offensive line coach and Wilbert Montgomery is the Browns running backs coach, both John Harbaugh assistants from 2008 – 2013.
