Ravens vs. Browns: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread, Radio, Game Time and More

The Pittsburgh Steelers smell the potential decline of the Baltimore Ravens, and they are ready to pounce on them in the AFC North race. The Ravens have been blasted by injuries on the defensive side of the ball, and for this team, that strips them of their identity.

The Steelers are only one game behind them in the standings.

The Ravens need to go into Cleveland and defeat the Browns. Coming off the bye week, the Ravens had some time to get a little healthier and to wrap their minds around what changes need to be made to remain successful.

How will they emerge from their week off?

Cleveland needs a signature win, and this wounded Ravens team may be the perfect mark. They gutted out an ugly 7-6 win over the San Diego Chargers in Week 8, but this one would be bigger.

There was only one touchdown scored in the game, and it was this nice run from rookie Trent Richardson:

This is a new week, and this game could be a building block for the young nucleus. Can Brandon Weeden expose the Ravens' defense and lead his team to a huge win?

Here's how you can watch.

When: Sunday, November 4, 1 PM ET

Where: Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, OH

TV: CBS

Live Stream: DirecTV Sunday Ticket (Pay Service)

Radio: WBWR 105.7 FM in Columbus, WBAL 1090 AM in Baltimore

Spread: Ravens (-3.5), per OddsShark.com

Injury News

Baltimore Ravens

Per the Baltimore Ravens official Twitter account, they were fined $20,000 for not including Ed Reed on the injury report before Week 7's clash with the Houston Texans:

"

Reports: #Ravens fined $20K for not listing Ed Reed on injury report: bmob.us/452

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 26, 2012"

Besides Lardarius Webb and Ray Lewis—who are both considered out for the season, per ESPN—the only notable Raven to miss the loss against the Texans was Ma'ake Kemoeatu.

There's no word on whether he'll play against the Browns.

Cleveland Browns

The following players missed the Browns' Week 8 win over the San Diego Chargers:

DB Tashaun Gipson—Knee—Missed Week 8 vs. San Diego
WR Mohamed Massaquoi—Hamstring—Missed Week 8 vs. San Diego
DB Dimitri Patterson—Ankle—Missed Week 8 vs. San Diego
DL Ahtyba Rubin—Calf—Missed Week 8 vs. San Diego

Head coach Pat Shurmur did indicate that there was a good chance Rubin and DT Phil Taylor would play against the Ravens, per Will Burge of ESPN Cleveland:

"

#Browns coach Pat Shurmur said there is a good chance that Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor will play Sunday

— Will Burge (@WillBurge) October 29, 2012"

Fantasy Stud, Dud and Sleeper

The absence of Ray Lewis is felt most in the Ravens' run defense.

That's compounded by the fact that Haloti Ngata has been playing at less than 100 percent much of the season, per Pro Football Talk. Don't look now, but a team that used to make you bench your RB is now a welcomed opponent for your fantasy backfield.

Trent Richardson should have a solid game against the Ravens.

The team allowed 227 yards on the ground against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6 and 181 yards on the ground against the Texans in Week 7.

Richardson is the fantasy stud in this game.

The Fantasy dud is the Ravens' defense.

They were probably one of the first defenses taken in your draft, but in their current state they don't hold much value. They are giving up a ton of points of late (72 in the last two games), and they only forced two turnovers in the same span.

The sleeper here is Dennis Pitta.

The Ravens could find success by going to their tight end in this game. Pitta had 18 catches and two touchdowns in the first three games of the season, but since then, he has 12 receptions with no touchdowns. 

Joe Flacco has targeted Anquan Boldin more than any other Ravens' receiver, and obviously Ray Rice will get his touches.

However, don't be surprised to see Pitta have a strong day.

Notable Quotes, Facts, Strategies and Trash Talk

Browns Speak

ClevelandBrowns.com senior editor Vic Carucci fielded a comment from a Browns' fan about the team foregoing a day off from their coach after the win over the Chargers.

The team felt they needed all the work they could get to prepare for the Ravens.

Carucci said:

"

it is, “awesome” that the players showed a clear understanding that they need all of the work they can get to prepare for their next game—that they aren’t good enough or accomplished enough to give up an opportunity to study as much tape as possible and meet with their coaches and be as ready as they can be for Sunday.

"

The Browns certainly have the mentality of a hungry young team. They are eager to improve and to change the recent futile history of the franchise.

One player that embodies the new Browns attitude is TE/FB Alex Smith. The eight-year pro has been named the starting fullback for the team, per Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland:

"

It's official: Alex Smith now listed as starting FB ahead of Owen Marecic on #Browns depth chart.

— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) October 31, 2012"

His lead blocking could pave more lanes for Richardson in the running game.

Ravens Speak

The Ravens have received inquiries about OT Bryant McKinnie from the O-Line-starved Arizona Cardinals, per Peter King of Sports Illustrated. King called McKinnie a potential "temporary band-aid" for the Cards, but that doesn't mean the Ravens can't gain a valuable asset for the deal.

Stay tuned to see if anything comes of that.

Tony Lombardi of the Russell St. Report published this Halloween influenced, but valid, list of fears for Ravens' fans. Check it out:

"

Offensive Line: The pass protection of this group has been as effective as a linen shirt to the talons of Freddy Kruger.

Joe Flacco injury: Nothing personal Tyrod Taylor but this represents an apocalypse of epic proportions for fans of the Baltimore Ravens.

Defensive Line: They hold their ground about as effectively as a vampire on a tanning bed.

Jimmy Smith: Can he pick up the slack for the injured Lardarius Webb? Will he continue to go for WR tricks and fail to deliver treats? Is he a star on the rise or a bust in the making?

Lack of investment in LBs: The Ravens too often shop at the Dollar Store when it comes to new soldiers for General Ray Lewis. His flanks are exposed, and a nightmare, once unthinkable, has become a frightening reality—a bad linebacker corps.

Dean Pees: Like a mad scientist who performs a lobotomy on your favorite super hero, he has been the equivalent of Ravens kryptonite. His strange brew has dropped the team’s defense to among the league’s worst.

Cam Cameron: His Zombie-like play calling has the Ravens offense playing like the living dead on the road.

"

It's hard to argue these points in concept, but I think Lombardi and Ravens fans that share these concerns may be overacting. The team is still 5-2, they have two playmakers on offense in Rice and Boldin and despite the losses on the defensive side of the ball, there's All-Pro talent there as well.

This team needs to alter their approach a bit, and there's a decent chance John Harbaugh and his staff used the bye week to get that in motion.

If they lose this game, then Ravens fans should be really worried.

Browns Key Player: Brandon Weeden

The rookie has had an up and down season, which is to be expected, but he's definitely a keeper. The more he establishes a connection with Josh Gordon and his other receivers, the better this offense will become.

In this game, the rushing attack is the horse to ride to victory.

Weeden's responsibility will be to take his shots down the field that are created from play-action, and to take care of the ball.

He's in a good situation in this game.

If he limits his mistakes, the Browns will have a chance to win this one.

Ravens Key Player: Terrell Suggs

I could have gone with Joe Flacco or Rice, but Suggs will be a bigger catalyst for this game, and the rest of the season for that matter, for the Ravens. 

They are without their emotional leader, and Suggs is the man that must step up with his play and his leadership. The bye week came at a good time for him, as he wasn't quite at full speed against the Texans in his return to the field.

If the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year can make an impact as a pass-rusher in this game, it will elevate the team's confidence and their level of play.

Suggs' performance in this game will be a huge barometer of the team's success.

Prediction

The Browns will play hard and well in spots, but this game is huge for the Ravens.

Even without Lewis or Webb, the Ravens are a better team. Though the Ravens will surrender more yards than we're used to seeing them allow, Suggs and/or Ed Reed will make the big plays necessary.

Flacco, Rice, Pitta and Boldin will carry the offensive load, and that will be enough to lead the team to victory.

It will be close, and possibly one of the more memorable Ravens-Browns matchups, but the Ravens will win.

I say: Ravens 26, Browns 23.

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