Browns Preview 12/15/17: Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

The still winless Cleveland Browns host the Baltimore Ravens in their last home game of the season this week. The Browns lost a heartbreaker last week to the Green Bay Packers in overtime. The Ravens also lost last week in a shootout with the Pittsburgh Steelers.


Browns Offense vs Ravens Defense


The last time the Browns played the Ravens the offense had a tough time. Kizer turned the ball over four times and as a team, the Browns turned it over five times total. That game was when Kizer exited the game with a migraine and then returned not at full health.

For the Browns offensively they need to take care of the football, it is that simple. And it starts with Kizer. The Ravens are going to bring pressure and force Kizer to beat them. Yes, the Browns have Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman but in the second half of the game last week they had issues with getting them the ball. A win or a loss is going to be because of Kizer's play.

The Ravens aren't going to let the running game get going. Crowell had his first 100+ yard game of the season last week but don't expect the same this week. The Browns running game will need get 100 yards total, between Crowell, Duke Johnson, and Kizer in order to keep the Browns in the game.



Browns Defense vs Ravens Offense

Joe Flacco hasn't had a great year so the Browns should force him into difficult throws under pressure. The Ravens have a solid running game led by Alex Collins who has 825 rushing yards this season. Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey are the keys guys on defense this Sunday. They need to keep containment and not allow the big running play. Also it is on Gregg Williams to put guys in a the best position, which didn't happen in the fourth quarter last week.

The Browns desperately need to stop the run this week, The weather conditions won't be that great and hopefully the Browns can bait Flacco into some bad throws like he's prone to do.




Five Guys to Watch


1. DeShone Kizer: It's all on the quarterback, and Kizer hasn't shown the ability to take care of the football. Let's hope last weeks mistakes are a turning point in his young career.

2. Josh Gordon: Two games into his return Gordon has five catches, over 100 yards and a touchdown. He should have had a better game statistically last week but " no calls" on apparent penalties cost him and the Browns points.

3. Isaiah Crowell: Crowell needs to build upon a solid week last week. With not ideal weather conditions the Browns need someone to carry the rock and carry it well.

4. Nate Orchard: Orchard is getting more playing time with the first team since the Ogbah injury. He's not the run stopper Ogbah is but Orchard needs to step up since he playing on the run heavy side. Also it wouldn't hurt for him to pressure Flacco into some bad passes.

5. The playcallers: Hue Jackson and Gregg Williams need to improve on their second half play calling. Hue went super conservative last week, which is fine as long as he sticks with it. Williams did the same thing, he basically went to a prevent defense with the defensive backs lined up seven yards off of the line of scrimmage. That's one of the main reasons the Browns lost the lead last week. Allowing free jumps off of the line of scrimmage.


Injury:

Weather:

Betting Line (As of 12/14/17) Baltimore -7


Prediction

Baltimore 27 Browns 10

Another terrible loss, and the Browns will finishes winless at home this year. It really is getting harder to write these previews knowing the Browns have only a slim chance to pull up the upset. Next week it's onto Chicago on Xmas Eve...