Ravens vs. Browns: Breaking Down Cleveland's Game Plan

The Cleveland Browns have not arrived just yet, but a win on Sunday would go a long way toward solidifying their relevance this season. Standing between them and a 2-1 record are the dreaded Baltimore Ravens.

“This is a good football team, the film doesn’t lie,” head coach Mike Pettine told the media on Wednesday. “It’s a big challenge for us. I think it will be our stiffest challenge to date.”

The game obviously means a lot because of the history between the two franchises, but there is also quite a bit riding on this game as far as this season goes. With a win the Browns would be 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the division heading into their bye week. Not only would the division be put on notice, but so would the rest of the league.

Achieving the win is a heck of a lot more challenging than talking about it, however. The biggest key to the Browns' game plan on Sunday is getting off to a fast start and making sure the home-field advantage they experienced last week carries over against Baltimore. FirstEnergy Stadium was louder than I have heard it at any time since the 2001 season when they made the playoffs.

The Browns proved last week that their defense can hang with any passing attack in the league, and now they will need to prove they can stop the run. Even without suspended running back Ray Rice, the Ravens have amassed 251 rushing yards in the first two weeks, including 157 against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Thursday.

The Ravens will be well-rested after a Thursday night victory against Pittsburgh and have had extra time to prepare for the Browns rushing attack which features the fourth-leading rusher in the NFL, Terrance West.

So while the defense will need to focus on Bernard Pierce and the Ravens rushing attack, the offense will have to find a way to move the ball on the ground against one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL.

This week, as it will be every week, the time of possession is key. The Browns need to control the clock with a strong rushing attack that sets up timely play-action passes for Brian Hoyer.

The Browns are one of just five teams in the NFL who has yet to turn the ball over, and that will have to continue on Sunday. They are less talented overall than the Ravens and will have to make up that gap with smart play on the field.

Let’s take a look at where that talent gap is most prevalent between these two teams.

The Competitive Edge

Quarterback

While the debate continues on whether Joe Flacco is an elite quarterback in the NFL, there is no denying his effectiveness. While his year has been lackluster thus far, averaging just 5.7 yards per attempt, he has one of the strongest arms in the NFL and can hit a big play over the top of any defense if allowed the opportunity. He is also 11-1 in his career against the Browns, which has to count for something.

Edge: Baltimore

Running Back

While Terrance West is tied for fourth in the NFL for rushing yards, the Ravens have a two-back threat who is among the best in the NFL. Bernard Pierce and Justin Forsett have combined for 239 yards in just two games. The Cleveland rookies, West and Isaiah Crowell, could end up being more effective as this season rolls along, but for now the known commodity gets the edge.

Edge: Baltimore

Receivers

The Ravens were already dangerous in the receiving department with Torrey smith and Jacoby Jones, but this year they added veteran playmaker Steve Smith. Smith has already caught 13 balls for 189 yards and a touchdown in just two weeks. Flacco’s arsenal of weapons at receiver is a point of envy for many quarterbacks around the NFL.

Edge: Baltimore

Tight End

Jordan Cameron practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and hopefully he can return Sunday against the Ravens. If he plays then the Browns have an advantage in this category. If he does not then the Browns will have to go with Jim Dray and Gary Barnidge again; two guys known more for blocking than catching passes.

While they combined for five receptions and 46 yards last week, including a huge fourth-down conversion on the game-winning drive, they are a huge step backward from Cameron’s playmaking ability.

Edge: Cleveland

Offensive Line

Both Cleveland and Baltimore have very good run-blocking lines that are solid at pass protection too. Opponents have only gotten to Joe Flacco three times in two games, while the Browns have allowed four sacks. Both teams are also in the top 15 in rushing offense this season. The Browns unit has developed some quick chemistry and barring injury can be very good by the end of the season.

Edge: Push

Defensive Line

This is a marquee matchup of two of the top defensive lines in the NFL. The Ravens’ line, which has household names like Haloti Ngata, boasts the eighth-best rush defense in the NFL through two weeks. This is nothing new in Baltimore, as it is perennially one of the best in the league.

The Browns, while very talented, have underachieved slightly and had trouble stopping the run through thus far. Mike Pettine said that against the New Orleans Saints it was by design so Drew Brees wouldn’t throw as much, but they still have something to prove. Look for a bounce-back week against Baltimore.

Edge: Baltimore

Linebackers

It is tough for any team to run a better linebacker group onto the field than Baltimore. Elvis Dumervil, Courtney Upshaw, Terrell Suggs and Company have made a living by destroying opponents’ offensive game plans.

The Browns have a formidable group themselves. Paul Kruger and Jabaal Sheard already have three sacks, and Karlos Dansby is playing at a Pro Bowl level through two weeks. Even with the impressive start the Browns still fall short of the firepower that the Ravens defense supplies in this category.

Edge: Baltimore

Defensive Backs

Justin Gilbert had a huge bounce-back week against the Saints in that victory. While he was the weak link in Week 1, according to Pro Football Focus, he gave up just .85 yards per coverage snap on Sunday. That is crazy good. Joe Haden struggled some against Jimmy Graham last week, but so does everyone.

When Graham is on he is unguardable. Haden was in good position, and he will get back to his shutdown ways this week against Baltimore. Donte Whitner and Tashaun Gipson were very good in coverage last week as well.

Edge: Cleveland

Special Teams

Travis Benjamin has yet to break a good return this season, and that has me wondering if he is still feeling the effects of his season-ending knee injury from last year. Also a little worrisome is the fact that kicker Billy Cundiff missed a field goal that was negated by a penalty.

Baltimore has Jacoby Jones who is one of the best returners in the NFL. It also has Justin Tucker who is about as solid as it gets at kicker.

Edge: Baltimore

Browns Offense vs. Ravens Defense

The Browns lost the time-of-possession battle last week to New Orleans but still won the game. That won’t happen against the Ravens. The Browns have to continue to control the line of scrimmage, move the football on the ground and dominate field position to win this game.

It sounds like an elementary game plan, but the Browns offense is built on fundamentals. When Cleveland can run the ball and does not turn it over it has a chance to win. If the Browns give Baltimore opportunities in their half of the field then it will be an extremely tough Sunday.

Brian Hoyer also has to get Jordan Cameron heavily involved. He is the one mismatch they have in the passing game and can loosen up the Ravens defense. If Hoyer can find Cameron for a big pass or two early it will force the Ravens to bring their safeties out of the box.

The one part of this offense I really don’t worry about is Hoyer’s composure. It will be tested on Sunday when he sees constant pressure, but he always seems to be able to make good decisions when protection breaks down.

Browns Defense vs. Ravens Offense

This is going to be an old-school smashmouth football game. The Ravens have had quite a bit of success on the ground early this year, and the Browns have had trouble stopping it. If the Browns’ struggles continue Sunday it will open up the play-action passing game for Joe Flacco, and that is dangerous.

Torrey Smith has mainly been a deep threat in his career, but this season he is running a number of different types of routes, and the Ravens want to get him the ball in space. He and Steve Smith can catch a pass anywhere on the field, make one guy miss and be gone for a touchdown in the blink of an eye.

If the Browns want to be able to focus on the Ravens dangerous passing game then they need to first limit the run. It also has to be done without the safeties near the line of scrimmage because they will need to try and keep the speed Baltimore has at receiver in front of them.

The Cleveland pass rush has been very effective so far this year, and the Browns will need to finish when they get their hands on Flacco Sunday. He is a big body with a strong arm and can make a play even with a defender draped all over him. He is not at the level of Ben Roethlisberger but is still very good at making plays when everything else falls apart.

Special Teams

The Browns special teams improved vastly between Week 1 and Week 2, but they will need to continue to grow. They have to find a way to switch field position with their returners to help facilitate the offense.

The coverage team will be tested this week, as Jacoby Jones is an electric returner and the blocking ahead of him is even better. The first person to get to Jones needs to make a tackle or at the very least make him change direction. His burst is so good that one missed tackle could be six points on the board.

What They’re Saying

“I’m sure we have a few, but I can’t tell any of you guys.”

—Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs on if he has a favorite Mike Pettine story from his time in Baltimore.

“Me not making the Pro Bowl? Eh, I want my yellow (Hall of Fame) jacket. That’s what I want and that’s what I’m going for.”

—Browns linebacker Karlos Dansby on if not making a Pro Bowl bothers him.

Browns’ Wednesday Injury Report

Did not participate: Running back Ben Tate (knee)

Mike Pettine told the media on Wednesday that he did not think running back Ben Tate would return this week. This is not a huge surprise, and the rookies behind him have played well, so it is still of very little concern.

Limited: Tight end Jordan Cameron (shoulder) and linebacker Barkevious Mingo (shoulder)

Jordan Cameron is a much-needed weapon for Brian Hoyer, so his return is paramount. He is the type of playmaker who makes defensive coordinators adjust their scheme. He also has great chemistry with Hoyer, which makes him even more dangerous. On Wednesday Hoyer told the media he requested to have Cameron’s locker right next to his before the season.

Even if Barkevious Mingo is able to play on Sunday I would imagine his snaps will decrease dramatically. Jabaal Sheard has played so well opposite Kruger and Mingo struggled so badly in Week 1 that Sheard deserves to be on the field.

Full Participation: Wide receiver Travis Benjamin (knee), defensive lineman Desmond Bryant (wrist), defensive lineman John Hughes (hamstring), punter Spencer Lanning (shoulder), offensive lineman Paul McQuistan (ankle) and cornerback Buster Skrine (thumb)

All of these players should be on the field come Sunday, so that is good news for the defensive line. John Hughes missed the first two weeks with a hamstring injury, and he is a key component to the run defense. His return should help the Browns shore up things against opposing running backs.

This Week’s Game Stats and Facts

Sunday’s game concludes a streak that has the Browns facing Super Bowl-winning QBs in each of their first three games.

Brian Hoyer hasn’t thrown an interception in his last 132 passing attempts (spanning five games), currently the second-longest active streak in the NFL (Peyton Manning 151) and fifth-longest streak in Browns history.

Mike Pettine began his NFL coaching career in Baltimore and spent seven years (2002-08) with the Ravens.

In 38 division games under head coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens have limited their opponent to 20 points or less 29 different times.

All quotes and observations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Game stats and facts are courtesy of the Browns’ communications department.