Week 15 Ravens vs Browns

[vmax]

We're down to the home stretch.

Short week; 

Week 15

Ravens at Browns

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

TV: Chs. 11, 4, NFL Network

Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM

Line: Browns by 3

Must Win? It is for the Ravens if they are to win the AFC North. As long as the Bengals keep winning, then the Ravens must also.

It's a must for the Browns (5-8) if they want to stay ahead of the 5-8 Steelers and stay out of the basement of the AFC North.

TEAM STATS
Points Per Game	23.2	23.1
Points Allowed Per Game	19.2	24.8
Total Yards	357.0	381.4
Yards Passing	194.8	231.9
Yards Rushing	162.2	149.5
Yards Allowed	349.6	357.2
Pass Yards Allowed	268.5	229.2
Rush Yards Allowed	81.2	128.1

 

Can they go into Cleveland and win with Brown at QB?

Will JK have a repeat performance? We'll see how well he feels after the strain he put on his knee last Sunday.

Hopefully Watson is still rusty from his layoff. Or better yet, he gets busted in a massage parlor this week.

Stats can be deceiving. Which team is ascending, and which is descending? Or are they both treading water? Also, stats won't tell you the tale of how hard-fought division rivalry games are. 

 

Edited December 13, 2022 by vmax

[tsylvester]

How is JK feeling after all of that work? Who will play quarterback?

How is Stanley feeling after all of that work? Williams?

While it is a short week, it is only short by 1 day, so that should not be a problem.

But I get the sneaking feeling, or is that a sinking feeling, that this game is going to be a route.

It shocks me to say/type that knowing that this defense has owned Watson ever since he came into the league and played against them.

This defense is courageous, but their propensity to miss tackles, to blow a coverage, to not keep containment in pocket and on the edge in the running game where Cleveland has killed them over the years, makes me weary that a come back to earth game is in store.

We said that the defense would have to win the game against the Stillers and they did... Sadly, I think the offense is going to have to and if they can't put the ball in the endzone, this will be ugly.

[vmax]

 

[tsylvester]

History shows that Watson can be easily confused by mixing up pre & post snap reads, then taking away his first read. When he has to use the entire play clock to understand the coverage, then look to his 2nd read, he tends to rush the throw, throw off balance, throw picks.

We said the defense would get two passes thrown their way last week, we were wrong, they had 3 thrown to them and, they caught em.

Watson will throw them 4, how many will they catch? Will they be in the passing lanes? Deep linebacker drop into the seams of the deep zone taking away those crossing routes the Browns like to run?

We want to know!

[oldno82]

This will be another AFC North game that could be the 'trap' game Tsyl is cautioning us about. Watson could be ready to have his 'big' day but he'll have to go through our D-line and linebackers to do that. Our secondary isn't by any means bad, but boy are they inconsistent.

I may regret saying this, but Cleveland's D is mediocre. If Huntley is truly OK and Dobbins and Edwards stay healthy, we should be able to move the ball. May have to wear them down first and reap the dividends in the second half. And no more injuries to the O-line.

Any word on Zeitler's condition?

 

[vmax]

Yes! We want to know! Right Now!!! 

I'm definitely worried about this game.

Zeitler was a limited participant at practice yesterday.

amison Hensley 
 — Yesterday at 4:21 PM
Ravens QB Tyler Huntley (concussion) was limited in Tuesday's walkthrough.

QB Lamar Jackson (knee) did not practice.
[4:23 PM]
Ravens injury report (Tuesday's walkthrough)

Did not practice
QB Lamar Jackson (knee)
WR Demarcus Robinson (illness)

Limited
QB Tyler Huntley (concussion)
G Kevin Zeitler (knee)
OT Morgan Moses (knee)
P Jordan Stout (right knee)
[4:25 PM]
In last year's Ravens-Browns game in Cleveland, Lamar Jackson suffered a season-ending ankle injury after Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah dove at the back of Jackson's lower right leg.

This year in Cleveland, Owusu-Koramoah won't play and Jackson likely won't suit up either.

Edited December 14, 2022 by vmax

[vmax]

[tsylvester]

So, we will know by tomorrow if Huntley will play since he practiced fully today. If he has no issues tomorrow, he should be a go

[oldno82]

Any new word on Stoudt?  I see he's got a knee injury.

[vmax]

I heard it's nothing serious.

 

[tsylvester]

Huntely cleared protocol, Harbs plays games not naming a qb but it is pretty clear, Huntely will start.

Now, can he go turnover free, make that one or two big plays that extend one or two important scoring drives?

[oldno82]

I'm not sure he can go turnover free but I think he can make one or two big plays.

Preston has a new article out on it's just a matter of time before Watson has a breakout game. Lets hope it's not this week.

[vmax]

It will be cold and windy in Cleveland. A good day to pound the rock on Cleveland's 22nd ranked run defense. The Ravens should have 52 of their 53 players available to play for the 1st time in 587 years. 

Jamison Hensley • 
 — Yesterday at 2:42 PM
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game at the Browns after not practicing all week.

QB Tyler Huntley received no injury designation after his second straight full practice.

As it's looked all week, Huntley is ready to start for 2nd straight game.
[2:45 PM]
Ravens injury report at Browns

QB Lamar Jackson ruled out and will miss 2nd straight game
QB Tyler Huntley cleared to play
G Kevin Zeitler (knee), P Jordan Stout (right knee) and OT Morgan Moses are questionable but all had full participation Thursday
[2:50 PM]
Lamar Jackson (knee) is sidelined for the second straight game, which was expected.

The question now is whether he will be ready for the Dec. 24 game against the Falcons.

Jackson has now missed seven games over the last two seasons (a total of 31 games).

[vmax]

I'm sure Watson will break out sometime, probably in a massage parlor, but it won't be Sunday against this Ravens defense.

" In his two starts, he has led a single touchdown drive, averaged just 6.4 yards per pass attempted, been intercepted twice, and posted only a 70.2 passer rating. He has not been good yet and needed two defensive touchdowns and a special teams touchdown to get by a one-win Houston team. They were not at all competitive against Cincinnati a week ago....Ravens at Browns spread, line, picks: Expert predictions for Week 15 NFL game on Saturday - The Athletic

 

The Browns own the second-lowest offensive total EPA (expected points added) in the two games since Deshaun Watson returned from his 11-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy for committing sexual assault, as defined by the NFL. The Browns' EPA of minus-26.28 is better than only that of the last-place Texans (minus-27.96) over the past two weeks....NFL Week 15 picks, schedule, odds, injuries, stats, fantasy tips (espn.com)

Edited December 16, 2022 by vmax

[vmax]

LOL!  

 

Considering the state of the Browns' linebacking corps, J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards could both eclipse 100 yards."

"After watching Baltimore impose its run-heavy will on the Steelers last week, Cleveland has to be very concerned about its rush defense that ranks 26th in yards per carry and 30th in efficiency. Even if the Browns know it's coming, will that even matter?"..What Pundits Expect in Ravens-Browns Week 15 Game (baltimoreravens.com)

 

[tsylvester]

You can bet Cleveland will have 9 in the box to stop the run. Roman is going to have set the run up with the pass, run properly, at them, between the tackles, let the backs find the cut back lanes as they FINALLY did against Pit

[vmax]

 The Ravens have to generate pressure and hurry a still rusty Watson. It takes time to get used to game speed and Watson is just getting back with no training camp.

The Browns have the receivers to hurt the Ravens. Pressure is the key. The run the ball, control the clock, avoid turnovers and penalties.  .. and don't drink the water!

Browns are -5 in turnovers. Ravens +14.   Browns 8th most penalized team in NFL. Ravens 23rd.Interpretation?  Ravens find ways to win. Browns find ways to lose.

 

Edited December 16, 2022 by vmax

[oldno82]

4 hours ago, tsylvester said:

You can bet Cleveland will have 9 in the box to stop the run. Roman is going to have set the run up with the pass, run properly, at them, between the tackles, let the backs find the cut back lanes as they FINALLY did against Pit

THAT is indeed what they have to do.

[vmax]

I hear strong reports that Ojabo will be active Saturday.

[vmax]

[tsylvester]

As usually happens when you take the normal out of a player's routine... The Vikes are melting down in the first half, Colts with a special teams & defensive touchdown, up 30-0 with 4 mins left in the first half, ouch...

[tsylvester]

Been waiting for the comeback, sure enough, 36-28 Colts with 5 mins left..... Colts doing everything you can't do with a big lead, penalties, incomplete passes, defensive break downs...

[tsylvester]

Wow, 2nd defensive touchdown by the Vikes stopped and over turned by an early whistle

[tsylvester]

Vikes keep the ball, however, 3:23 left.

[tsylvester]

Man how nice would it be for the Ravens to have Justin Jefferson