Week 13: Baltimore Ravens (8-3) @ Cleveland Browns (4-7)
At: Cleveland Brown Stadium, 4:15pm
Cleveland Head Coach: Pat Shurmur
Important game for the Ravens as they head into Cleveland to take on a tough Browns team. The Ravens hold a 2-3 record away from home and they need to improve their play on the road in order to maintain their narrow lead in the AFC North.
CHALK IT UP:
Cleveland’s Run D vs. RB Ray Rice: The Browns have struggled stopping the run, ranking 29th in rushing yards allowed. Last week Cedric Benson gained 106 yards; that was the fifth running back in the last 5 games to top 100 yards. Cam Cameron must make Cleveland’s defense stop Ray Rice before airing it out.
Browns Secondary vs. QB Joe Flacco: The Browns are ranked first versus the pass because they have excellent playmakers on the back end. Part of Flacco’s success will be getting the ball to his tightends Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson, the underneath routes. CB Joe Haden might be assigned to cover WR Torrey Smith allowing Anquan Boldin to have some success over the middle.
DE Jaball Sheard vs. RT Michael Oher: Michael Oher’s number hasn’t been called out by officials lately, he’s been limiting the penalties and the entire offensive line is playing well. Sheard, a rookie defensive tackle, has 4.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 35 combined tackles.
QB Colt McCoy vs. Pagano’s Pressure: Cleveland’s offense has relied heavily upon the passing game because the unit has missed Peyton Hillis (injuries). McCoy is putting up good numbers and has capable receivers in rookie Greg Little, WR Joshua Cribbs and TE Ben Watson. McCoy has been sacked 26 times, however, he has good scrambling ability; he is fourth on the team in rushing 51 attempts/185 yards. The Ravens defense has a league leading 38 sacks on the year. OLB Terrell Suggs has 12 career sacks and 7 forced fumbles versus the Browns.
Read the Rest of the Ravens Gab Preview of the Browns Matchup by Clicking HERE