clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Ravens schedule preview: Bad and Browns both start with B

Can the cellar dwellers improve on upon 1-15?

NFL: Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

We shift our focus to another AFC North rival, the Cleveland Browns. The Browns and Ravens play in Weeks 2 and 15.

Key Additions: G Kevin Zeitler, C J.C. Treiter, QB Brock Osweiler, WR Kenny Britt, DB Calvin Pryor.

Key Losses: WR Terrell Pryor, LB Demario Davis, TE Gary Barnidge, QB Josh McCown, CB Tramon Williams

Draft picks: EDGE Myles Garrett, TE David Njoku, DB Jabrill Peppers, DL Larry Ogunjobi, QB DeShone Kizer, DL Howard Wilson, HB Matt Dayes, K Zane Gonzalez, DL Caleb Brantley

Why they’ll lose to the Ravens:

Joe Flacco had two of his worst games last year against the Browns, one in which the Ravens found themselves down 20-0 to Cleveland. Despite numerous mistakes, the Ravens were able to rally and win the game. Their second matchup was a Thursday night game in which Flacco still struggled, but the Ravens effectively won the game. The Browns made a lot of good moves this offseason but the talent gap between the two teams is too big to ignore. The Ravens defense has only gotten better and the Browns, as they have for the last 20 years, have a question at QB.

Why they’ll beat the Ravens:

The Ravens have taken a step back on the offensive line, a position that Cleveland strengthened through the draft. If the Browns can't nail the most important position in football, perhaps they can nail the second most important position group, and that is the defensive line. As mentioned before, the Browns did jump out to a 20-0 lead in Week 2 of 2016, and any given Sunday applies. If the Ravens can't protect Flacco, the Browns could pose a serious threat to the Ravens this year.

How do you think the season series will go?

Poll

How will the Browns/Ravens series go in 2017?

This poll is closed

  • 67%
    Ravens Sweep 2-0
    (365 votes)
  • 21%
    Ravens Split 1-1
    (117 votes)
  • 10%
    Browns Sweep 2-0
    (55 votes)
537 votes total Vote Now