If the Cleveland Browns (0-1) showed life last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, it didn’t result in a victory. It doesn’t get any easier as the “new” Browns travel to the Baltimore Ravens (1-0) to face the “old Browns Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS.
The Game: Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (-8)
The History
Frankly, this rivalry should be a lot hotter than it is considering that Art Model packed up the old Browns and skipped town for Baltimore in 1996 and in an unprecedented move, left the nickname and entire team history behind as well. This incarnation of the Browns didn’t start playing until 1999.
Incidentally, that’s when the “rivalry'” if you could call it that, begins with Baltimore winning 17-10 in the first ever match up, then taking the next three before the Browns could win a game.
Overall the Ravens have a staggering 27-9 advantage in the series and have won the last three contests, but three of the last four have been close with the Browns winning 33-30 in overtime in October, 2015 and Baltimore winning 33-27 in November, 2015 and 25-20 in September, 2016.
From September, 2008 to November, 2012 the Ravens won 11 consecutive games over Cleveland. The Browns have never managed more than two wins a row.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-1)
You can point the finger squarely at the Browns’ ownership, management and coaching choices for their consistent shittiness since a return to the NFL in 1999. They’ve squandered draft picks on horrible choices and wasted promising young players with ridiculous coaches. Is Hue Jackson the guy that can change that trend? It’s a toss up, but it’s safe to say he’s probably the best coach they’ve had since returning to the NFL in 1999. That’s not really a compliment.
Did the Browns look good against the Steelers last week or did Pittsburgh just play bad? This game probably won’t answer that question. Rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer had a solid start to his NFL career, but he’s facing a much stingier defense in the Ravens this week that just came off a shutout of a much better offense (at least talent-wise. Jesus, Bengals).
To get anything done in this game, the Browns will have to get a running game going to pull in Baltimore’s safeties and open up shots down the field for Corey Coleman. Kenny Britt caught just one pass last week and dropped one that could have kept Cleveland alive late against the Steelers. Maybe try some new gloves this week, Kenny?
And here’s some more good news, according to the latest injury report Myles Garrett hasn’t practiced this week and neither has Joe Thomas or Kevin Zeitler. Kizer is going to end up pregnant after this game.
BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-0)
Joe Flacco got a chance to knock the rust off against a Cincinnati Bengals team that did everything in their power to hand him the ball. He wasn’t great, finishing 9-for-17 for 121 yards, a touchdown and a pick, but he didn’t lose the game. To no one’s surprise, Jeremy Maclin was his best downfield target, but Danny Woodhead caught the most passes. After getting hurt, Woodhead will spend at least half the season on injured reserve.
The only key injury on the Ravens’ defense is Tim Williams, who isn’t really hurt, but sick. He was held out of Thursday’s practice with an illness. Since he didn’t record a stat in Week One, they’ll probably be OK. If Thomas doesn’t play for the Browns, expect Terrell Suggs’ name to be called a lot. He had two sacks of the five Baltimore sacks last week.
The Pick
Considering the Bengals haven’t scored a touchdown in two full games, it’s difficult to judge Baltimore’s defense on last week’s shutout. That being said, with a banged up offensive line and a quarterback in Kizer who likes to hold onto the ball too long, this should be a sack and turnover fest. Big lines are always scary, but I feel comfortable picking the Ravens at home. Ravens 27, Brown 13
This Week
Straight up: 0-1
Against the spread: 1-0
Season
Straight up: 10-6
Against the spread: 9-7
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