Offense

1. Staying on Schedule v. Schwartz

The Browns prioritize stout run protection and limiting explosive performs on early downs in order that DC Jim Schwartz can unleash Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith to wreak havoc in apparent passing conditions. Up to now this season, Cleveland has executed this plan to near-perfection, permitting simply 21 first downs throughout their first three video games. To maneuver the chains persistently, the Ravens want to remain on schedule with down and distance, beginning with their plan of assault on first down.

The Browns need different groups to run the ball on first down. That doesn’t imply the Ravens can’t do it, however they need to unfold out the sphere extra typically with 11 personnel and function out of that look on first down. They’ve been extremely environment friendly working out of 11 personnel this season, averaging 0.36 EPA/play, with each below middle and designed QB runs gashing opposing defenses.

Here is a have a look at how typically & how properly the Ravens have run out of every offensive personnel group by way of Week 3.
Numbers above every bar point out the variety of runs and the EPA/play out of every formation. pic.twitter.com/PdJi95oPhl

— Daniel Rees (@DPRees8) September 27, 2023

Cleveland doesn’t blitz on first down typically, opting as an alternative for off-man and zone appears earlier than switching to press-man on second and third down. The Ravens are lacking their greatest press-man beaters in Rashod Bateman and Odell Beckham Jr., so gaining yards by way of the air on first down might be essential to establishing conversions on later downs. Count on Lamar Jackson to focus on Mark Andrews and Nelson Agholor on timing routes on first down to remain on schedule. Todd Monken also needs to combine in play-action primarily based off 11 personnel speeding ideas to open issues up downfield.

If the Ravens can persistently execute on first down for optimistic beneficial properties, they’ll keep away from falling into the pressure-laden traps of second- and third-and-long in opposition to a relentless Cleveland cross rush.

2. Neutralizing the Cross Rush

In fact, the Ravens received’t have the ability to keep away from the Browns’ cross rush all sport. The Browns blitz a whopping 42% of the time on second down, attempting to drive offenses into third-and-longs.

Jackson first has to sluggish issues down on the line of scrimmage, taking the time to determine blitzes and make changes earlier than snapping the ball. In opposition to straight stress, his job is straightforward: discover his hots and get the ball out quick. He received’t have time to attempt to make one thing occur behind the road of scrimmage in opposition to the Browns’ blitzes, that are designed to open up clear inside paths to the quarterback.

Justice Hill’s return could be an enormous shot within the arm to counter the Browns’ cross rush. He’s not solely the perfect cross protector within the Ravens’ backfield, however he additionally has the burst and pace to execute perimeter tosses and sweeps that may exploit the Browns’ blitzes.

On third down, Schwartz nonetheless blitzes 33% of the time, however in addition they dial up loads of stunts and twists to open up free rushers, particularly looping Myles Garrett inside. The Ravens can counter that by utilizing Mr. Versatile himself, Patrick Ricard.

Ricard usually traces up as an inline TE to help the tackles in cross safety, however Monken ought to transfer him round a bit to stymie the Browns’ line video games. He can pull inside to present the inside an additional man to assist with stunts, and even line up as a “sniffer” behind the road to step up and meet blitzers developing the center.

Even with out the road video games, although, Garrett continues to be one of many deadliest edge-rushers within the sport. He throws so many alternative appears and strikes at blockers, so the Ravens ought to counter that by throwing the kitchen sink again at him, much like how the Chiefs dealt with Hassan Reddick within the Tremendous Bowl.

Garrett shouldn’t get a clear rush all sport, with chips coming from as many alternative instructions as potential. A good finish display screen can assist restrict his aggressiveness and drive him to dial again the throttle, so his protection doesn’t get burned behind him. The Ravens have obtained criticism for his or her sprint-outs previously, however they will take Garrett out of performs fully if he’s lined up on the left aspect.

3. Movement as a Blitz Beater

The Ravens appeared to have dialed again their utilization of pre-snap movement below Todd Monken, however it will likely be essential to countering Schwartz’ protection scheme with Bateman and Beckham sidelined.

First, they will roll out two tight finish units to get the Browns to match personnel earlier than motioning Andrews or Probably into the slot for pseudo-11 personnel alignments and favorable matchups. That can even assist Jackson determine blitzes and coverages primarily based on who follows the TE into the slot.

Second, they will use movement to arrange free releases and construct up pace in opposition to the Browns’ press-man coverages. The Dolphins placed on an absolute masterclass in pre-snap movement in opposition to the Broncos, totally confounding their protection and resulting in huge performs downfield.

Dolphins OC Frank Smith mentioned this “exit” movement is the No. 1 factor he is been getting texts about on all ranges of soccer, from highschool to the professionals. pic.twitter.com/WYkUIRAXiz

— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) September 28, 2023

It’s already laborious for opposing cornerbacks to maintain up with Zay Flowers, so Monken ought to pound that benefit by giving him a working begin on the snap. That can even assist cowl for one in every of his weaknesses: breaking freed from press, one thing that the Browns and cornerback Denzel Ward will doubtless throw at him as typically as potential.

The usage of pre-snap movement has cascading results throughout the offense, too. The Schwartz protection is comparatively easy for his or her gamers to know and execute. They wish to transfer quick and break issues, so throwing movement at them ought to complicate their assignments, forcing them to decelerate and course of what the Ravens are doing.

[Bold Predictions: Ravens at Browns]

Protection

1. Conserving Watson Contained

Because the Browns made the massive transfer to accumulate controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson, it hasn’t precisely been fireworks. Watson is among the many least environment friendly or explosive quarterbacks within the league, a stark distinction to what he was with the Houston Texans.

In Cleveland, it looks as if Watson is having a tough time adjusting to being extra of a pure pocket quarterback who is anticipated to work inside a construction. He’s had his ups and down with accuracy, ball safety, and imaginative and prescient.

On the flip aspect, when Watson has been in a position to present glimpses of his outdated Houston self, it’s been totally on improv performs. Watson stays harmful when he’s in a position to lengthen performs and get his playmakers concerned with a sandbox kind method. It’s when his athleticism and instincts come to the forefront.

The Ravens must drive Watson’s hand and hold him contained extra typically within the pocket. If something, maybe opting to play extra of a protection type, dropping gamers in protection, to probably spy him and obscure his passing home windows. That doesn’t imply don’t blitz Watson – as a result of he stays one of many least environment friendly QBs when coping with the blitz. However it means forcing Watson to throw by way of even tighter home windows inside a collapsing pocket.

For the Baltimore defensive backs and back-end defenders, having self-discipline when Watson begins to maneuver might be a significant key. Identical to dealing with a man like Patrick Mahomes or Ben Roethlisberger again within the day, “plaster” protection must be the calling card. When the receivers begin to break off their routes, the again finish defenders can’t get caught peeking at Watson. Keep together with your man all through the play.

2. Restrict Explosive Performs

Not solely is Watson higher when he extends performs, the Browns offense has generated the majority of their most explosive performs in these moments.

Among the performs they’ve hit on have been a fair proportion of runs. Clearly, having a man like Nick Chubb behind probably the greatest offensive traces in soccer will gas these performs. However they’re a few sport and a half into an period with out Chubb.

Nonetheless, Jerome Ford isn’t any slouch and provides a twin risk ingredient (extra on that later). The return of Kareem Hunt additionally provides explosive potential to the bottom assault.

Cleveland’s various working scheme incorporates vast zone, hole and different parts to emphasize even probably the most disciplined run protection. Baltimore would most likely match that description. Nonetheless, it’ll be crucial for the unit to remain on high of their keys, duties and hold the dangerous run suits to a minimal to drive the Browns to drive the sphere.

3. Solutions to Blitz Beaters and Display screen Motion

In opposition to the Colts, defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald determined to uncork the stress packages and promote out extra typically to assault quarterback Gardner Minshew. The outcomes have been combined.

Whereas Macdonald was in a position to get a number of the hits in, Minshew and the Colts additionally had some strong solutions to the blitz. Ultimately, it appeared like within the second half, he was figuring it out. The Colts ran some efficient screens to their cross catchers. Perhaps it was the sloppy situations, however the protection wasn’t almost as sound of their tackling as they have been in week one and two.

The Browns might simply replicate that facet of the sport plan in opposition to the protection this Sunday. Getting again to Ford, he was in on a 19-yard landing reception in opposition to the Titans, and in addition added a 14-yard catch and run. Kareem Hunt is already probably the greatest pass-catching working backs within the league. These two might be robust to cope with in any kind of display screen sport.

Particularly in third-down eventualities, when the Ravens confirmed extra of an lively blitz set off, they might want to anticipate screens and blitz beaters to the receivers. And in the event that they do blitz, the appears and coverages should be extra diversified than what Macdonald confirmed the Colts final week.

One on One Matchup of the Week

Justin Madubuike versus Wyatt Teller

This week’s matchup facilities on two bullies who wish to take one another’s lunch cash. Madubuike has had a combined begin to the season. Though he’s been an lively rusher, he’s additionally been flagged for damning private foul penalties. When he’s on, he might be very disruptive and a “ruined play” generator. Teller is among the baddest dudes enjoying on the inside within the league. He doesn’t get the acclaim as somebody like Quenton Nelson from the Colts however he’s each bit as dominant at occasions. The true problem might be discovering a option to hold Teller from attending to the second degree in opposition to Baltimore backers Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith within the run sport.