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Week 3 preview: Ravens at Browns
Baltimore Ravens (1-1) at Cleveland Browns (1-1)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland – TV: CBS
*TV announcers: Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots
*Keys to the game: The Ravens have found a nice tandem in RBs Bernard Pierce and Justin Forsett, who are combining to average 5.1 yards per carry as Baltimore has morphed into a ball-control unit. That targets the weakness of the Browns, whose defense is allowing an average of 5.4 yards on 56 carries. Given manageable third downs, QB Joe Flacco should be able to string together drives as he has already connected with eight different receivers.
The Ravens’ defense has been giving up yards – 681 through two games – but has allowed just one touchdown, forcing opponents to drive the length of the field. Rookie RBs Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell will again comprise the engine of the offense with Ben Tate sidelined. QB Brian Hoyer must remain patient because big plays will be hard to come by and he enters the game averaging just 6.1 yards per attempt and TE Jordan Cameron (shoulder) potentially out a second straight game.
*Matchup to watch – Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs vs. Browns LT Joe Thomas: Thomas is a perennial Pro Bowler and one of the most technically-sound linemen in the NFL, but he has had his struggles with Suggs through the years. Suggs has 15 sacks in 21 career games against Cleveland, with almost all of them coming against Thomas. However, Suggs has just one sack over his past 10 games.
*Player spotlight – Browns ILB Craig Robertson: Rookie Chris Kirksey started the Week 2 victory over New Orleans, but Robertson could be in line for increased snaps as the Browns attempt to shore up their leaky run defense.
*Fast facts: The Ravens’ defense has not yielded a touchdown in four red zone opportunities by opponents. … Hoyer has not thrown an interception in 132 pass attempts, a streak spanning five games.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Like many AFC North battles, this isn’t going to be pretty. Both offenses grind out most every yard, with the differentiator being the Ravens’ defense that has put a lockdown on the red zone through two games.
*Our pick: Ravens 19-16
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