Browns vs Ravens: A Complete Breakdown of Week 4 Thursday Night Football

The Baltimore Ravens are going to blowout the Cleveland Browns tonight. 

The sentiment felt by most fans across America.

While that seems like a distinct possibility, as the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers showed us last week, every game is worth inspection in today's parity-filled NFL. 

That's why the play the games, right, Chris Berman?

Here's a complete breakdown of Week 4's Thursday night AFC North clash. 

Offenses

Cleveland Browns 

The Browns are currently 29th in the league in average yards per drive, and that low ranking is in large part due to the inconsistent play of quarterback play of Brandon Weeden to start the year. 

He has a 60.7 QB rating through three games, and has a touchdown to interception ratio of 1-to-2. But, it's unfair to totally pile on the Oklahoma State alum.

Prized first-round pick Trent Richardson hasn't been much better. He's averaging 3.5 yards per rush and has been effective in only one of three games.

On the outside, the Browns will be without wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, the team leader in targets, receptions and receiving yards.

Time to step up, Greg Little and Josh Gordon. 

Baltimore Ravens

Is Joe Flacco elite? 

To many, he'll likely remain on the outside looking in to the group of signal-callers like Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Drew Brees (who's struggling this year) until he gets his team to a Super Bowl, but through three games, Flacco's stats have been elite.

He has a 101.1 QB rating, has six touchdowns to only two interceptions and orchestrated a fabulous comeback against the New England Patriots when his team was down nine in the fourth quarter.

Even if Flacco is out of sync with his receivers or is stymied by an opponent's defensive scheme or game plan, he has the luxury of leaning on Ray Rice, one of, if not the most reliable runner in the game.

He's averaging a whopping 5.8 yards per rush and has already scored three rushing touchdowns in 2012.

Add in the 6'0'', 205-pound deep threat Torrey Smith, a steadily emerging tight end Dennis Pitta—who leads the team with 30 targets—and imposing veteran Anquan Boldin, and you'll realize this unit is legitimate.

Defenses

Cleveland Browns 

The Browns' defense was confusing in 2011. A quick look at the stats and they appeared to be a stingy unit. While they finished with the second-fewest passing yards in the league, that lofty ranking was mainly due their opponents understanding how susceptible Cleveland was to the run.

They're right in the middle of the league in terms of yards allowed per drive (17th) and when Joe Haden's in the lineup, the secondary is pretty good. 

Unfortunately, he is still suspended, and as was made evident by Ryan Fitzpatrick's three-touchdown performance, the defense can be a liability. 

D'Qwell Jackson is thumping middle linebacker, but he struggles in coverage. The defense line is often overlooked, but Jabaal Sheard is a powerful and nimble defensive end. 

Baltimore Ravens

New year, same story with the Baltimore Ravens defense. Right?

Well, for as much as it has silenced the critics over the past few years, thus far in 2012, they've got some work to do.

They're surrendering the 27th-most yards per drive and have allowed 244 yards through the air to opposing quarterbacks.

A visit with Tom Brady can often skew secondary statistics, keep that in mind.

Even without Terrell Suggs, the defense has managed eight sacks in three games, but the pass rush is clearly not what it is without T-Sizzle in the lineup.

Duh. 

Key Matchups

Sheldon Brown vs. Torrey Smith/Anquan Boldin

Last week, Brown shadowed the Bills' No. 1 receiver Stevie Johnson for most of the game, and he'll likely square off against Anquan Boldin this evening.

Brown held his own against Johnson, but the Buffalo wideout did finish with seven receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown on a play which came when Brown wasn't in coverage.

Smith and Boldin are two guys the Ravens like getting down the field, and the Browns will undoubtedly be tested by Flacco's rocket arm.

Trent Richardson vs. Baltimore's defensive line

Richardson couldn't get into a rhythm against Buffalo's line, as he carried the ball 12 times for 27 yards and had a long of six yards.

Baltimore's defensive front held the Patriots to 2.3 yards per rush in last week's win, something that doesn't bode well for the tremendously talented and powerful runner.

If Richardson's offensive line can win some battles in the trenches early, Richardson has the size, and punishing ability to wear down the Ravens defense as the game progresses. 

Advantages

Ravens' defensive line vs. Browns' offensive line

Baltimore's registered eight sacks and Cleveland's allowed eight sacks through three games. Something has got to give this evening.

If afforded time, Weeden has the arm and decision-making skills to move the football through the air.

However, expect a variety of blitzes to be sent Weeden's way, causing mass confusion along the Browns' offensive front.

Ray Rice vs. Browns' defensive line

Rice is a terrorizing runner, a guy who hides behind his colossal offensive linemen before exploding into the second level with deceptive speed and power. 

Cleveland allows nearly 123 yards on the ground per game, and last week, third-string runner Tashard Choice averaged 4.6 yards per rush.

Having said that, the Browns do look like they have a run defense that is more fundamentally sound and won't allow as many big plays as it did in 2011. 

Nearly every phase of the game

Not to significantly put down the Browns, but they're outmatched in all the other phases of the game against the Ravens.

Prediction

This could be one of those games in which the underdog hangs around for most of the first half.

The Browns will likely feature Richardson prominently and will implement their typical bend-but-don't-break defense, which could lead to a few frustrating field goals for the Ravens at the start.

But, as is usually the case, Baltimore will impose its will on the weaker opponent and Rice will lead his team to another convincing win at home.

Ravens 31, Browns 14