Ravens News 9/27: Scrambles, predictions and more

News & Notes: Lamar Jackson, Ravens Aim for More Big Plays From Scramble Drill - Ryan Mink

Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman talked Thursday about the Ravens’ desire to make more of those kinds of big plays on extended plays as the season progresses.

“It’s like going to a double feature when you’re a kid,” Roman said. “The first movie is good, but we want to make the second movie good, too. Two for the price of one.”

Roman said that roughly 30 percent of touchdown passes in the red zone, league-wide, are made on extended plays.

Jackson said he felt he didn’t do a great job of throwing on scramble drills in practice. He said he would tell his coach that he would wait until gameday to make something happen if he needed to get out of the pocket.

“But it starts on the practice field, and we’re going to practice it, try to execute it better, and we’ll be on the same page,” Jackson said. “It starts with me. That’s my fault.”

Browns preparing for dynamic threat Lamar Jackson, explosive Ravens offense - Nick Shook

“To be honest, he is probably the closest thing that I have seen since Michael Vick,” Wilks said. “This guy is extremely dynamic, can make plays when you do not think there is a play there to be made. He is just Houdini I guess. Phenomenal, not just with his legs but is ability to get the ball down the field as well. One of the great things that he does when he gets out side of the pocket, he is not just looking to run, his eyes are still down the field. He is trying to push the ball down the field and that is what they have been successful with lately.”

Browns at Ravens prediction - Cody Benjamin

Everyone’s still waiting for the Browns to come to life, and as long as Mayfield is under center, you have to believe they can do better. But until Kitchens proves he’s capable of managing both the team and the offensive play calls (or, better yet, until the Browns prove capable of giving Mayfield time to throw), it’s tough to believe they have a sustainable enough attack to go blow for blow with a fireworks show like Baltimore. This is a divisional matchup, which means a lot of factors can be thrown out the window. And yet, at home, with a close defeat to a Super Bowl contender still fresh in their minds, the Ravens seem awfully primed for a statement win against their rivals.

Pick: Ravens

Week 4 NFL picks, predictions - Tadd Haislop

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens

This is aperfect chance for Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield to turn around his so-far disappointing season; Cleveland needs to avoid falling another game behind Baltimore in the early AFC North race, and the Ravens’ defense is not what it once was. The problem: Mayfield is the second-best QB in the game based on the numbers this season. There’s little reason to believe Lamar Jackson can’ttorch the Browns’ banged-up secondary with complimentary help from the ground attack.

Prediction: Ravens 30, Browns 20

NFL Week 4 odds, picks - Jordan Dajani

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens

This goes against everything I have been writing about the past few weeks, but I’m picking the Browns to cover against the Ravens on Sunday. I think Sunday night’s loss to the Rams might have been a “come-to-Jesus” moment for Cleveland. For the first time, Freddie Kitchens’ credentials as a head coach came into question, Odell Beckham Jr. wasn’t very involved in the game plan towards the end of the game and Baker Mayfield was again inconsistent. The Browns have gotten off to a disappointing start and this game could turn public perception around with a win. Jackson and Co. played well against the Chiefs last week, and I’m picking them to win this game but not cover the spread. The Browns’ offensive line looked like a mess, and the Ravens know how to get after the quarterback. The questions will continue in Cleveland, as the Browns fall to 1-3

The pick: Ravens 30-24 over Browns