Browns scouting report: Baltimore Ravens
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst on the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Browns v. Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, 1 p.m., in Cleveland Browns Stadium
Record: 2-1.
Last game: Lost to Indianapolis Colts, 22-19, Sept. 24, in Baltimore.
Coach: John Harbaugh, 149-96, 16th year.
Series record: Ravens lead, 35-13.
Last meeting: Browns won, 13-3, Dec. 17, in Cleveland.
League rankings: Offense is 12th overall (fifth rushing, 24th passing), defense is 10th overall (eighth rushing, 11th passing) and turnover differential is minus-2.
Things to watch
1. The Ravens are surviving through a rash of injuries, winning two of their first three. In their surprise loss to the Colts last week, they were without six starters – receiver Odell Beckham Jr., left tackle Ronnie Stanley, center Tyler Linderbaum, linebacker Odafe Oweh, cornerback Marlon Humphrey and safety Marcus Williams. During the game, they also lost running backs Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, and linebacker David Ojabo. Beckham (ankle) might be the closest to coming back this week. Stanley (knee) and Linderbaum (ankle), who are the key players considering the Browns’ dominant defensive front, have missed the past two games.
2. Now, here’s the thing. None of the current injuries are considered season-ending. After Sunday’s game in Cleveland, the Ravens play in Pittsburgh next week and they will have completed their first round of division games – all on the road. That means all their remaining division games will be in Baltimore. They feel they will be much healthier the second time around the division. Like Coach Prime said, “You better get them now.”
3. New offensive coordinator Todd Monken has redesigned the offense to give quarterback Lamar Jackson more throwing options. Under former coordinator Greg Roman, the Ravens used fewer three-receiver sets than any team. Monken has changed that. Also, they’re breaking the huddle much quicker to give Jackson more time to make pre-snap reads. Originally, the goal was for fewer designed runs for Jackson. But that changed when the team lost lead back J.K. Dobbins in training camp. Jackson has 193 rush yards through three games, a pace that would net him his third 1,000-yard rushing season in six years.
4. Injuries to Oweh and Ojabo have blunted their pass rush. They were to join Jadeveon Clowney as the defense’s designated pass rushers. Without them, coordinator Mike Macdonald has sought to manufacture a rush with blitzes. Through three games, the leading sacker has been safety Kyle Hamilton (three), who now as filling in as the lead nickel back and frequently blitzes from the slot position.
5. Besides Humphrey, easily their best cornerback, the defense has missed starting nickel back Ar’Darius Washington, who’s been on short-term injured reserve. Somehow they’re surviving with a combination of veteran journeyman Ronald Darby, Rock Ya-Sin and Brandon Stephens at cornerback.
Only 5-9 and 183 pounds, Zay Flowers is second among NFL rookies with 21 receptions through three games.
Did you know … ?
1. The Ravens have struggled since their existence in Baltimore to build a productive receiving corps. This year’s major acquisitions were Beckham in free agency and Zay Flowers in the draft. Beckham has five catches for 66 yards but Flowers is second among NFL rookies with 21 receptions for 188 yards. Neither has a touchdown.
2. Every team has a jumbo formation for short-yardage plays. The Ravens have a super jumbo formation that includes 311-pound fullback Patrick Ricard and 380-pound offensive tackle Daniel Faalele on the field together.
3. Perennially among the league leaders in total special teams, the Ravens are 31st in punt coverage after allowing an 81-yard punt return for touchdown to Bengals rookie Charlie Jones.
4. Future Hall of Fame kicker Justin Tucker already has two missed field goals in six attempts. They were from 59 and 61 yards. Tucker is 58 of 83 (.698) from 50+ yards in his career.
Small world: Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (2019-21), defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (2021-22), guard Kevin Zeitler (2017-18) and quarterback Josh Johnson (2012) all played for the Browns … Executive VP Ozzie Newsome was drafted by the Browns in 1978, is the franchise’s all-time leading receiver and was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999 … President Sashi Brown was Browns executive VP in 2016-17 and general counsel before that … Offensive coordinator Todd Monken held the same position with the Browns in 2019 … Director of player personnel George Kokinis was Browns GM for the first eight games in 2009 … Associate head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver was Browns defensive line coach in 2014-15.
