Baltimore Ravens

Six Points: Ravens at Browns

Published Nov. 27, 2015 8:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

To say that it has been a tumultuous week for both the Browns and Ravens as they head into their Monday night matchup would be an understatement.

The Browns (2-8), losers of five straight games, lost their new starting quarterback this week in bizarre fashion. Just days after being named the starter, Johnny Manziel decided to party it up back in Texas during the bye week, a decision that would cost him his new role. Head coach Mike Pettine has apparently seen enough of Manziel's immaturity, and demoted him to third string with Josh McCown returning to the No. 1 job.

The Ravens (3-7) lost their quarterback in a more typical fashion -- injury. Joe Flacco tore the ACL and MCL in his knee in the fourth quarter of Sunday's comeback win over St. Louis. Now Matt Schaub will be the first starting quarterback for Baltimore besides Flacco since he entered the league in 2008. The Ravens will also be without starting running back Justin Forsett, who suffered a season-ending broken arm last Sunday.

The Browns won 33-30 in overtime in the first meeting between these teams in Baltimore. Here are three keys to the game for both the Ravens and Browns:

Can you beat the Crowd's Line? Submit your final score prediction below. Good luck!

RAVENS

1. Turn Buck Allen loose

The Ravens have had trouble establishing the running game all season, but without Flacco, they don't have much of a choice. Facing the worst run defense in the league should help Monday night. Allen has had a limited role in his rookie season, but he did amass 115 yards on 27 touches in relief of Forsett last week. A heavy dose of Allen should be expected to help take the pressure off Schaub.

2. Limit the turnovers

Interceptions have followed Matt Schaub the last few years, even leading teammate Terrell Suggs to call him out in the preseason. Throwing the ball 40 times is not the answer so offensive coordinator Marc Trestman is going to have to adjust his playcalling to reduce the risk of turnovers.

3. Get off the field on third down

The Browns were an astounding 12 for 19 (63 percent) on third down in the first meeting, a big reason why Josh McCown was able to carve up the secondary for 457 yards. Baltimore's defense needs to tighten up in coverage and force the ball out of McCown's hands faster to get off the field.

BROWNS

1. Target Barnidge

The Ravens had no answer for tight end Gary Barnidge in Week 5 as he burned them for 139 yards and a touchdown on eight catches. Barnidge had success when matched up against a linebacker or safety Will Hill. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees will have to do a better job of focusing on Barnidge, as he's proven to be McCown's favorite target.

2. Watch out for Mosley

Second-year linebacker C.J. Mosley had arguably his worst game as a pro in the first meeting against the Browns. He'll surely be looking to redeem himself after getting beaten steadily against both the run and pass. The Browns may be able to use Mosley's expected aggressiveness against him and get him to overpursue with some misdirection and screens to running back Duke Johnson.

3. Be ball hawks

Schaub is prone to some bad throws, and the Browns' defenders need to be ready for when they come. The Browns need to take advantage of every opportunity that is presented so any chance of an interception must be seized.