Something has to give when the Browns defense is on the field. The NFL’s best unit against the MVP frontrunner, what can Cleveland do to slow the Ravens down?
Cleveland’s defense is one of the best units in all of football. They are star-studded at every level and their play through nine weeks has backed it up.
Through nine games the Cleveland defense is only giving up 234.4 yards per game, nearly 30 yards better than the second-place Ravens. They also come in at third in the NFL in points surrendered giving up 17.4 points per game.
Even with all of these great marks, they are going to have their hands full on Sunday when they match up with Lamar Jackson.
Jackson enters Week 10 as a front-runner in the MVP discussions. He is completing a league-best 71.5 percent of his passes for 1,954 yards and nine touchdowns to three interceptions.
Oct 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws a pass as he is hit by Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) in the third quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Oct 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws a pass as he is hit by Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) in the third quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
He adds just as much of a threat on the ground. The elusive Jackson has rushed for 440 yards on 84 carriers with five touchdowns. His 440 yards is by far the best in the league for quarterbacks and is ranked 20th compared to running backs in the league.
Stopping Lamar is a full day at the office for any defense, but he is surrounded by some of the league’s best.
The Ravens wide receiver core is just full of first-round picks with Odell Beckham Jr, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor and rookie Zay Flowers. While some of these guys may be past their prime, they all have big play capabilities.
Tight end Mark Andrews has been a thorn in the side of the Browns for his entire career. In 11 career games against Cleveland, Andrews has 621 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He is coming off a two-touchdown, 8-yard performance in early October.
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