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Cleveland Browns: Week 2 predictions against the Baltimore Ravens

By Ryan Landolph

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 10: Isaiah Crowell
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 10: Isaiah Crowell /
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The Cleveland Browns travel to Baltimore on Sunday for a 1 P.M. contest against the Ravens.

The Cleveland Browns are coming off a 21-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, while the Baltimore Ravens man-handled the Cincinnati Bengals 20-0.

Rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer played well in his NFL debut, and his favorite target was clearly wide receiver Corey Coleman. Running back Duke Johnson ended up playing a lot of snaps at wide receiver. Linebacker Joe Schobert and safety Derrick Kindred both starred on defense.

Schobert led the team in tackles, while Kindred recorded a big interception late in the game.

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The Ravens lost running back Danny Woodhead to an hamstring injury last week, but the team still ran for 157 yards. Quarterback Joe Flacco made his 2017 debut after missing the preseason with a back injury.

Baltimore’s defense was lights out, creating five turnovers, and sacking Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton five times. As evidenced last week, they should be a tough matchup for Baltimore.

1. Quarterback DeShone Kizer takes three-or-less sacks as offensive line steps up

One of the most confusing aspects about last weekend’s game was the performance of the Browns offensive line. Anchored by left tackle Joe Thomas, the unit was supposed to be one of the strongest position groups on the team.

However, Kizer was hit a ton and sacked seven times overall, which put the Browns into a lot of second-or-third-and-long situations.

Sure, some, maybe even the majority, of the sacks could be put on Kizer, as he needs to deliver the ball quicker. However, he was under pressure much more than the team expected.

On one example, rookie edge rusher T.J. Watt makes easy work of Thomas, affecting Kizer’s throw and nearly gets the sack as seen below via FanRagSports’ Jon Ledyard:

Pittsburgh has a great front seven, but the Browns offensive line is still a great group in its own. It was surprising to see, but not completely out of the ordinary. The tests does not get any easier this week, though, as the Ravens have some great pass rushers as well.

The ageless wonder, Terrell Suggs, is still playing at a high level. I n fact, he recorded 2.0 sacks last week. Safety Tony Jefferson, who the Ravens brought over from the Arizona Cardinals in free agency, also recorded a sack. Defensive tackle Michael Pierce and edge rusher Za’Darius Smith both chipped in one sack apiece.

Sacks killed the Browns last week and protection for Kizer is certainly a priority for the Browns this week. Head coach Hue Jackson knows he needs to keep his rookie quarterback upright, so the offensive line was likely a major point of emphasis this week. Cleveland should be much better up front on Sunday, going against a slightly-worse, but still solid, Baltimore front seven.

2. Wide receiver Kenny Britt‘s Week 1 drop eliminates his playing time

When the Browns opted to sign Britt and let Terrelle Pryor walk, there were many people on opposing sides. Many liked the move: Going after a proven receiver. Many hated the move: Giving up on potential. At this point, it’s pretty safe to say the majority of people are now on the “hate” side.

Britt was quiet throughout training camp and the preseason and did not play a whole lot against Pittsburgh in Week 1. He was only targeted three times and committed a terrible drop that would have given the Browns a first-down on second-and-long. Jackson was clearly displeased with what he saw out of Britt last week.

The Browns do not have a ton of options at receiver, but it is clear the coaching staff is displeased with Britt. Ricardo Louis played more in the second half, catching a 29-yard pass, while tight ends Seth DeValve (4-42) and David Njoku (2-20) saw expanded roles. Johnson also appeared nearly exclusively at receiver, where he caught two passes for 20 yards.

Coleman is clearly Kizer’s No. 1 target and the Browns seem to like what they have with some of their young guys. Britt’s hefty salary makes him almost uncutable and his play hasn’t reached that level, yet. However, should he continue to be ineffective and commit crucial drops, Britt could stay attached to the bench.

3. Running backs Terrance West, Buck Allen are shut down by Cleveland’s run defense

One of the best terms in sports is “revenge game.” This week, it is yet another revenge game for West, as he faces one of his former clubs in Cleveland. In four games against the Browns, West has averaged just over 10 carries for almost 39 yards.

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This time, however, West is the No. 1 back in Baltimore, with Allen expected to help complement him in the passing game

The two backs fared well last weekend against Cincinnati, combining for 40 rushes for 151 yards. Both were relied heavily on in the blowout win, especially after running back Woodhead left the game early with a hamstring injury.

West and Allen will likely face a much stiffer run defense this week against the Browns. Cleveland was able to limit Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell to just 10 carries for 32 yards on the ground.

The defensive line got consistent push, while the linebacking trio of Schobert, Christian Kirksey and Jamie Collins flew around the field. Having defensive tackle Danny Shelton come back last week was evidently big for the defense, and as he gets healthier, it should only help the Browns defensive line.

The difference of scheme and offensive line certainly comes into place, but if the Browns can play half as well as they did against Pittsburgh against the run, West and Allen will have trouble finding running room all game. A repeat performance for Cleveland will make it extremely difficult for Baltimore’s backs to reach the century mark.

Add in West’s struggles in his “revenge games,” and the Browns could dominate in the trenches.

4. Running back Isaiah Crowell finally breaks out

It has been a rough start to the 2017 season for Crowell. He began training camp holding out for a new contract. Then, he dealt with a soft-tissue injury and saw 17 carries in two preseason games. He was essentially a non-factor last weekend against Pittsburgh on the ground, turning his 17 carries into just 33 yards.

The volume was there but not the production. Running the football effectively is an emphasis for Jackson this year, as he admitted many times the team didn’t run the football enough last season.

The Ravens were solid last week at limiting Cincinnati’s running backs, holding them to just 77 yards rushing.All three backs – Jeremy Hill, Gio Bernard and rookie Joe Mixon – were limited to no more than 40 yards individually. Granted, the Bengals essentially had to abandon the run in the second half. Still, it was still an impressive performance from Baltimore nonetheless.

Crowell has to get going early to open things up for quarterback Kizer but not just to help the passing game. The Crow really hasn’t looked himself early this season, and a big game would go wonders for him. It is obviously a huge emphasis for coach Jackson to get Crowell rolling early, so it would not be a surprise to see him featured early.

If that happens, chances are he is able to have a 100-plus-yards rushing day.

5. The Browns pull off the upset

Yes, you’re reading that right. After performing so well against Pittsburgh last week, it is surprising that Cleveland is such a big underdog in this game. Even Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger complimented the Browns, saying the team will surprise people this year.

Baltimore is going to have to run the ball effectively to win the game and after seeing what the Browns did to Bell last week, it is going to be challenging to do that. Cleveland can’t be much worse protecting Kizer, even though the Ravens will throw everything they can at them.

The x-factor in this game will be Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. He has had success against Cleveland in the past and will have to play well again on Sunday to give Baltimore the advantage.

He still has not played a whole lot after missing time with a back injury in the preseason, so the Browns will likely try to harass him early.

Next: Focal point cannot be on the backup QBs


I expect big games from Crowell and the Browns secondary, as they lead the team to victory. Prediction: 23-16 Browns

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