Ravens back at it vs. Browns
It feels like a month since the Ravens won their opener. With the Ike-adjusted schedule, the Ravens' first 3 games are now against their three AFC North opponents, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
The only other time they've opened with three straight division games was 2004; that year, they lost at Cleveland but bounced back with a 30-13 home opener win against the Steelers, followed by a road win at Cincinnati. The '04 team got off to a 7-3 start but faded down the stretch, finishing 9-7 and missing the playoffs.
The Browns, 10-6 last year, come to town 0-2. Yes they're a desperate team, but so were the Ravens during their nine-game losing streak last year.
Baltimore isn't a good destination for a team whose offense has been shooting blanks. Derek Anderson is off to a slow start (yes that man warming up is Brady Quinn) and Pro Bowl wide receiver Braylon Edwards is in the Dawg Pound's Dawg house with a bunch of dropped balls in the young season.
Scouting report...Browns defensive lineman Shaun Rogers was a 370-pound road block in the Steelers game; he could give the Ravens O-line fits.
Return specialist Joshua Cribbs is battling an ankle sprain and hamstring injury, he tore up the Ravens in last year's game in Baltimore, returning kickoffs for 245 yards.
Anxious to see....If Joe Flacco can show more of what we saw against the Bengals; if Jamal and Ray will have a couple of Lewis head-on collisions; if the Ravens can limit big plays from Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr.; and if the Ravens D can make the Browns Offense look like the Brownies who sell us cookies.
Watch for this... How will the Ravens spread out the carries between McGahee, Rice and McClain? How would you like to see the Ravens RB's used?
League stuff...How 'bout them 2-0 Cardinals and Bills! How many of these 0-2 teams will make the playoffs: Minnesota, Seattle, San Diego, Cleveland and Jacksonville. My guess is 2, how many make it in your opinion, and more important which teams?
3 and out!
Scott
Leave a comment