Cleveland Browns: 5 reasons Browns will take over 1st place, upset Ravens

4. O-line gets a break

Pro Football Focus rated the Browns as having the 22nd best line in the NFL. Seems right. The tackles are a disaster.

However, on the interior, the analytically oriented site praised Cleveland’s blockers. This comes after an entire Training Camp spent pulling hair out over whether or not Eric Kush was good enough to start at right guard.

He had his troubles with Aaron Donald last week, but the Ravens don’t have that type of player bring pressure from the line in Week 4. John Harbaugh’s defense isn’t meant to bring pressure every snap, rather, they’re better suited to clog up lanes so the the linebacking corps can operate.

Outside linebackers Tyus Bowser and Tim Williams have just one combined quarterback hit between them on 124 total defensive snaps. Not good.

Fortunately for the Browns, the Ravens’ linebackers haven’t been all that great either. Kansas City hit on screen pass for a touchdown, which iced their victory in Week 3. Covering tight ends and defending screens have been problematic for the Ravens all season long.

Hopefully Greg Robinson returns to being serviceable. Remember, Mayfield was sacked just five times in the final eight games of the 2018 season, and that coincided with the former No. 2 overall pick being elevated to a starter.

The big question mark is Justin McCray, who is pressed into starting at tackle, even though he’s been a career interior player. Perhaps Chris Hubbard will get back from his knee injury.