One of the problems with starting the season 0-3 is it doesn’t allow you any room for error going forward. The Cleveland Browns have one three of their last four games and are coming off a huge road win last Sunday at Jacksonville. However, this week’s game at home against the hated Baltimore Ravens is just as big. A loss this Sunday drops the Browns to 3-5, but more importantly drops them to 1-3 within the AFC North.
However, a win ties the brown and orange with the Ravens at 4-4, evens their division record at 2-2, and would enable the team to split the season series with Baltimore. It’s pretty much a two game swing. And with the Steelers playing on the road Monday night against the Redskins, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the Browns could be just a game out of first place come Tuesday morning.
What do the Browns need to do this Sunday?
Defensively, they need the same type of effort against the run, and if they can force the Ravens into passing situations, they need to put big pressure on rookie QB Joe Flacco. They can’t let Flacco be comfortable in the pocket. They have to keep him confused.
Remember that Baltimore scored more than half of their points in the first meeting as a result of Derek Anderson interceptions. This Sunday, Cleveland needs to make the Ravens go the length of the field.
Offensively, the Ravens are susceptible to the deep pass, but the trick there is giving the quarterback enough time to throw. Therefore, the Browns need to establish Jamal Lewis early; he needs the ball more than the 12 carries he had in September. They have to be aggressive, be the ones to punch the Baltimore defense in the mouth. And don’t be afraid to take advantage of the Ravens’ aggressiveness on defense. Rob Chudzinski needs to use all of his weapons.
Romeo Crennel cannot watch his quarterback struggle for more than half the game either. Anderson played okay last week, but he was hardly spectacular. If he is struggling on Sunday, Crennel needs to give Brady Quinn a shot. The time for protecting Anderson’s fragile ego is over, the Browns need to win games, and have to exhaust all methods to get the job done.
Romeo Crennel is 3-0 at home against Baltimore. If the Browns can eliminate the mistakes they made in the game at the Charm City, they will continue that streak. The only way the Ravens can score enough points to beat the Browns is if Cleveland helps them out.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 