Baltimore Ravens

Cleveland Browns: Storylines to watch vs. the Ravens

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:08 p.m. ET

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Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns are looking to bounce back from a rough start to the season when taking on the Baltimore Ravens at home this Sunday.

Each week of the NFL season provides unique challenges for all 32 teams. The Cleveland Browns are planning to use another starting quarterback after Robert Griffin III was lost to a shoulder injury a week ago in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. Head coach Hue Jackson was disappointed in the loss of Griffin but was confident to push forward with Josh McCown. Jackson expressed his relief to have a solid backup like Josh in his press conference this past Monday:

“That is why you keep him here. I said that to you guys a long time ago. You have to have quarterbacks on your football team that can play, and that is why we kept Josh here because he knows how to play and he has been in this league. He understands our offense and what we are trying to accomplish. It is unfortunate that this happened to Robert, but it is comforting to know that we have a guy that has played in NFL games and knows how to manage games and play the game and play within our system.”

Even with the unfortunate injury news, preparation doesn’t stop for the team. Plan B for the Browns is veteran journeyman Josh McCown. McCown started eight games for the Browns last season, playing solid as he threw for 2,109 and 12 touchdowns compared to four interceptions. McCown provides a leadership presence and knowledge of the offense to lead the younger players. McCown’s job is to right the ship at the quarterback position, proving solid play in efforts to develop the younger offensive players on the roster.

Let’s take a look at the top storylines surrounding the Browns leading up to the game against the Ravens.

Oct 11, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) celebrates as he run in for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Will McCown dominate the Ravens secondary once again?

Last season in Baltimore, the savvy veteran quarterback led the Browns to a 33-30 overtime win. McCown had a career day as he passed for 457 yards and for two scores. He had the Ravens secondary guessing all game as he was accurate and pushed the ball downfield. McCown also had a great connection with Gary Barnidge on the day as Barnidge hauled in eight balls for 139 yards.

McCown doesn’t need to duplicate this performance for the Browns to have a chance in the home opener. However, the veteran quarterback must keep drives alive for the offense and convert on key third downs. His job isn’t to light up the box score each week, but to give the team and offense an opportunity to succeed by distributing the ball to his playmakers and making smart, accurate decisions with the ball. McCown has the support of players and coaches to lead the team over the course of the season. Wide receiver Terrelle Pryor stated his support for his new quarterback saying, know he is going to fit right in there:

“He is going to be awesome Sunday. I can’t wait. I can’t wait to go play for him and I can’t wait to catch balls from him. It is going to be awesome.”

Coach Jackson also believes in Mccown’s ability to lead the team and believes the team is rallying around him:

“But I think Josh has shown that he is very capable. I think it would be different if people had not seen Josh play here and he did not have the success at times that he has had here, I think it would be different. But I think we know what we are getting. I think they know what kind of leader and what type of person he is and how he prepares, and so I think the offense is excited to go out there and play with him.”

The key for McCown on Sunday is to play turnover-free football to give the Browns the best chance to win. When in trouble he must utilize his tight end Gary Barnidge and get him the ball. Last week, Barnidge was only targeted twice resulting in two dropped passes. Mccown’s go-to receiver last year was his big tight end, so expect that connection to continue between Barnidge and McCown this Sunday. If Josh and the offense can covert on third downs and sustain long drives for the offense, the Browns will be in the game late in the fourth quarter.

Oct 11, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) dives in to the end zone for a third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Can the defense rattle Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco?

A week ago the young Browns defense struggled to pressure rookie quarterback Carson Wentz. This resulted in the rookie having a huge NFL debut, torching the Browns secondary multiple times on long touchdown throws. The defense yielded 403 yards of total offense to the Eagles in the loss. This is a stat that must be significantly reduced for the Browns to compete and have chances to win the game.

The defense should have more comfort and confidence as a unit this week as many defenders were making their NFL debuts a week ago. Expect the young rookies to come out ready to go from the get go on Sunday. Rookies Carl Nassib and Emmanuel Ogbah had solid debuts a week ago as Nassib recorded his first sack and Ogbah had a pass deflection. This week however, both will need to be more active along the defensive front. Look for Nassib and Ogbah to continue to develop and produce for the Browns defense as they adopt into their starting roles along the defensive front.

Defensive coordinator Ray Horton told the Cleveland media in his presser Friday that they key against the Ravens and Flacco was generating a pass rush:

“But I think Josh has shown that he is very capable. I think it would be different if people had not seen Josh play here and he did not have the success at times that he has had here, I think it would be different. But I think we know what we are getting. I think they know what kind of leader and what type of person he is and how he prepares, and so I think the offense is excited to go out there and play with him.”

Browns cornerback Joe Haden shared his thoughts on what he felt the keys to shutting down the Ravens passing game:

“Just making sure that we study the film, understand what is going on and we just have to definitely make sure that they keep the ball in front of us. That is the biggest thing. They do a really good job of just taking shots. They line it up and throw the dudes deep. They do a really good job of just making sure they take shot plays every single quarter. We are just making sure that they catch the ball coming back to the quarterback.”

Next: Keys to beating Baltimore

If the Browns can get pressure on Joe Flacco it will make the job of the secondary much easier as Haden and company won’t have to cover the receivers for as long on each play. If the Browns can rattle Flacco early, the young energetic Browns defense will have confidence for the rest of the game behind their home fans in the home opener.