As the Baltimore Ravens prepare to face the Cleveland Browns once again, a set of intriguing questions looms over the matchup. Their previous encounter in Week 2 saw the Ravens struggle to establish their run game, finishing with a mere 45 rushing yards on 21 attempts as the Browns effectively stacked the box. This time around, the Ravens are hopeful for improvement. They believe their running strategy has evolved, especially with the addition of Keaton Mitchell, who was inactive for that prior game and has since injected enthusiasm into their rushing attack. Nonetheless, Cleveland’s defensive focus remains on halting Baltimore’s run game, setting the stage for a compelling battle.
Another critical factor in the upcoming clash is how well the Ravens can manage the disruptive force of Browns’ star defensive end, Myles Garrett. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson emphasized the need for the team to get “hands and objects” on Garrett to limit his impact. In their earlier matchup, Garrett dominated by recording 1.5 sacks, ultimately forcing the Ravens to be on high alert against his potential game-changing plays. The Ravens recognize Garrett’s talent and are intent on neutralizing his influence during pivotal moments in the game.
On the defensive front, the Ravens appear to be building momentum. While they are not necessarily shutting down opponents entirely, their ability to create turnovers has significantly improved. After struggling with just two turnovers in their first five games, they managed to force three in each of their last two outings, totaling eight turnovers over the last four games. In the earlier game against the Browns, two forced turnovers were instrumental in allowing the Ravens to take command. If they can maintain this recent trend and apply pressure on Browns’ quarterback Dillon Gabriel, the outcome could tilt heavily in their favor.
As these teams collide once more, the stakes are high, and fans can expect a fiercely contested game that may very well hinge on Baltimore’s running game, the effectiveness of their defensive schemes against Garrett, and their continued success in creating turnovers.