Browns: 3 players who need to step up against the Ravens

Baker Mayfield

This will be a huge test for Baker Mayfield. As a quarterback, Mayfield has finally silenced a lot of the critics, but they can come back just as loud as they were before if he plays below his expectations against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens defense isn’t built around one, two, or three dynamic players like they used to be. Instead, the team is built around more schemes and stunts.

This may seem like it’d be an easier situation for Mayfield to thrive in but it’s just the opposite. Instead of trying to gameplan for an Ed Reed or Ray Lewis type, instead, you have to worry about everyone. In years past the Ravens defense would have two or three Hall of Famers, one or two fringe Pro Bowlers, and then a bunch of cheap options scattered about.

Now they have five, maybe even six or seven fringe Pro Bowl players. On their own, they’re not scary but together they can be truly hard to handle.

Mayfield is going to have to have a huge game if the Browns are going to win. Not just that, but he’s going to have to use his feet to extend plays. Head coach Kevin Stefanski will also need to call faster plays as well, to help offset the blitzes. Two and three-step drops should be the order of the day.

At least until you established the running game.