Cleveland Browns: Five Questions With The Baltimore Wire For Week 10

The Cleveland Browns heads to Baltimore for Thursday Night Football. Prior to this week’s game, The Baltimore Wire discussed the upcoming matchup with us.

Is Week 10 the week the winless Cleveland Browns earn their first win of the season. The streak could end, but they have a tough opponent standing in their way in the form of the Baltimore Ravens.

Baltimore squeaked by with a 25-20 win in Week 2, but Cleveland has other plans in mind for this week. There are multiple interesting topics surrounding this week’s game. That said, The Baltimore Wire‘s Site Expert Ben Palmer took time out to give a Baltimore perspective.

Baltimore’s running game has not lived up to expectations. Should that change Thursday against the Browns’ 31st run defense?

The Ravens absolutely need to run the ball more. The stats show that they succeed when they run the ball, they desperately need to balance their offense. In the eight seasons that John Harbaugh has been with the team, the Ravens have made the playoffs every season that they’ve ranked in the top-half in the NFL in rushing.

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Terrence West is a talented running back and he’s shown that he’s able to run the ball relatively efficiently, he just needs to be given the opportunities. The offense can’t rely entirely on Joe Flacco.

When they do that, it doesn’t work. Just look at last season, when they lead the NFL in passing attempts with 676, the most for a team since the Browns in 2013. That wasn’t a good season.

What is the expectation for Baltimore’s defense when it comes to defending Cleveland wide receiver Corey Coleman? Coleman had 104 yards and two yes in Week 2.

I think that the Baltimore secondary will have their hands full with two very talented receivers in Coleman and (Terrelle) Pryor. I will say that it’s a blessing that Cody Kessler is going to be the one throwing to them, and I think the secondary can handle them.

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We saw Jimmy Smith all but shut down (Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver) Antonio Brown last week, and neither Coleman nor Pryor are Antonio Brown. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Smith on Coleman for much of the game and I think Webb can handle Pryor.

All of Baltimore’s wins were not in dominant fashion. Should the Browns and their fans be confident?

The Ravens never win games by more than one score. I don’t know why, but they just never do. The last time the Ravens won by more than one score was two years ago in the AFC Divisional Game when they beat the Steelers 30-17.

Over the last two seasons, the Ravens average margin of victory has been 4.2 points. So yeah, I expect this to go down to the wire, despite how bad the Browns are. I expect the Ravens to win, but I’m not expecting a blowout, it’s just not how the Ravens play.

Despite Cleveland’s poor offensive play, the running game has been better than expected. Is that the main way Cleveland is going to compete to try and win?

I would imagine the Ravens are going to say “let’s take out the talented receivers and let Cleveland beat us on the ground”. So I wouldn’t be surprised to see (Isaiah) Crowell and (Duke) Johnson get a decent amount of work, though I don’t think they’ll be particularly effective.

The Ravens D-Line is pretty solid, as is their linebacker corps, so I think if Cleveland wants to beat the Ravens, they’re gonna have to dominate time of possession and throw the ball.

What’s going to determine this week’s game and who will come out on top?

I think what will determine this week’s game will be offensive balance and turnovers. If the Ravens can establish the run and maintain a balanced offense, they’ve got a great shot at winning.

And if they can limit turnovers, then I think they’ll be set. But a couple key interceptions or fumbles, and this game could change fast.

Next: Will The Embarrassing Play Continue On Thursday?

FoS would like to thank Ben for his insight into the Browns’ Week 10 game. We wish the best of luck to The Baltimore Wire the rest of the season.