Tonight Is The Biggest Browns Game In At Least 13 Years - Week 14 Preview Presented By Skyhio
This Cleveland Browns preview is presented by Skyhio. Skyhio offers reduced prices on Delta 8 THC, a legal and more functional alternative to Delta 9 THC, which is the active component of marijuana. Head to Skyhio.com and check them out. Thank you to Skyhio!
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That statement is two things:
1) Absolutely true
2) Really fucking sad
The last time the Browns played a game this big was back in the 2007 season. They were 9-5 heading into Week 16 with a win-and-you're-in scenario as they took on the Bengals in Cincinnati. Derek Anderson threw four interceptions, the Browns lost, and then missed the Playoffs with a 10-6 record.
For a home game as big as tonight's, you have to go all the way back to the 2002-2003 season. A game Browns fans will know as the "Run William Run" game, Cleveland knocked off the Falcons to (eventually, thanks to the Jets blowing out a half-trying Green Bay Packers later that day) make the Playoffs, the last time they've done.
The Browns can't clinch a Playoff spot tonight, but they can all but wrap up one, barring a historic collapse (if anyone can do it, they can), and also vault themselves into a conversation about winning the division. More on the division if they win, but here is what the Playoff picture
Even with a loss tonight, the Browns will stay in the 5th spot thanks to a tie break against the Colts (they kicked Indianapolis' ass without Nick Chubb, people forget this).
This is what the Browns have left:
- vs. Houston (W)
- vs. Philadelphia (W)
- @ Jacksonville (W)
- @ Tennessee (W)
- vs. Baltimore (MNF)
- @ New York Giants
- @ New York Jets
- vs. Pittsburgh
Right now a 2-2 finish is really all the Browns need to just get into the Playoffs, but they should have their sights set much higher. Win tonight and they find themselves on the brink of ending a really fucking embarrassing draught, and possibly more.
Big night in Cleveland!
The last time the Browns had a winning record and were facing the Ravens was all the way back in that 2007 season when they last posted a winning record. A back-and-forth game came down to a field goal at the end of regulation for Phil Dawson, looking to tie it at 30-30 for the Browns:
Chaos!
It's a shame that game ended with such a runny dump feeling because this moment was an all-timer for the Browns.
NOTE: The lines may have changed since this graphic was made…
I am on fire with my game total picks for the Browns, so let's lock in the over right now. A lot of people (including my friends on Picks Central) are going with the UNDER it seems, but the Browns defense is just bad enough to always keep the under in play. So long as Baker Mayfield plays well, I think this pushes over 50 total points with ease.
As for the two teams, I do think we will have a close game. So let's toss the nuts on the table and pick the Browns for once.
PICKS: Browns +3, OVER 46
SEASON RECORD: 13-9 (ATS: 5-7, O/U: 9-3)
CLEVELAND OUT: Denzel Ward (CB), KhaDarel Hodge (WR)
CLEVELAND QUESTIONABLE: Austin Hooper (TE)
BALTIMORE OUT: Dez Bryant (WR)
TENNESSEE DOUBTFUL: Tramon Williams (CB)
TENNESSEE QUESTIONABLE: Calais Campbell (DE), Jimmy Smith (CB), Luke Wilson (TE)
Both teams have two potentially massive decisions to make tonight ahead of the game. For the Browns it sounds as though Austin Hooper will be out with a neck injury he sustained at practice. The Browns were fine without him against the Bengals when he had appendicitis but against the Raiders his loss was felt heavily. Rookie tight end Harrison Bryant had a key fumble, David Njoku had a game-sealing block, and Hooper's run-blocking was greatly missed.
His loss tonight would be a huge plus for the Ravens.
The same could be said for Calais Campbell, who saw a low snap count against the Cowboys and may not see a ton of action even if active for the Ravens tonight.
NOTE: Denzel Ward is out again for the Browns which fucking sucks, but we've known that for a few days. He will hopefully be back for the Browns trip to the Meadowlands next week.
You couldn't have been much happier with the Browns offense last week.
And that includes a few instances of drops that, in any other season, might have really cost the Browns.
Baker Mayfield was on fire, and his play-action abilities continue to impress….
The double-move from Peoples-Jones was fantastic, but that fake was such a great sell from Baker. He's been money all season when the Browns' play-action game is working.
When the pass game is a mess, you get what happened in Week 1 against the Ravens:
The Browns are a totally different team than what we saw in Week 1 in Baltimore. First off, they have played actual games since them. There was no question that the Browns' matchup in Week 1 was terrible. They faced a team that didn't need an offseason, where they in turn had never played a competitive game together under a new coach.
Everything about this team is different in terms of how they play, and their success on the ground is once again key. The offensive line is now one of the league's best. Nick Chubb & Kareem Hunt are an electric duo. Kevin Stefanski is a more seasoned head coach. Baker Mayfield is far more comfortable in Stefanski's system week-by-week. This is a new matchup, a fresh look at these two teams, and a far cry from Week 1 (I think).
Baker played well last week, but the Titans defense has holes. The Ravens aren't the '85 Bears, but they're no cakewalk for the Browns. The Ravens are middle of the road in terms of sacks, and they aren't the Baltimore of old in terms of getting pressure, but they certainly know how to dial it up and have seen Baker enough at this point to have a sound strategy. While his accuracy must be leaps and bounds better than in Week 1, Baker is going to need to really not get spooked by the blitz. We've seen issues with that in the past and hopefully, Kevin Stefanski has enough play-action and designed rollouts mixed in to keep everybody on the move.
Chubb & Hunt will get their yards, but Baker is going to need to toss the rock around tonight against a team that has had little trouble with him, with the exception of a fluke game last season. He's also done a great job at protecting the football… and that has to continue.
NOTE #1: Keep an eye on if Marvin Hall, the Browns latest acquisition, is activated, he could be a nice new deep-ball wrinkle for the Browns.
NOTE #2: Tight Ends Harrison Bryant & David Njoku are going to have to step the fuck up tonight, Austin Hooper may not be having a flashy season, but his impact in the run game is too big to overlook.
The defense was saved by a great offensive output last week because Tannehill had his way with them last week…
Now, yes, they were far more relaxed than usual due to the big lead the offense built up, but you can't expect another mammoth first half like that tonight.
In their Week 1 meeting, the Ravens weren't fantastic on the ground, but they fucking torched the Browns secondary Lamar Jackson had no issues passing the ball whatsoever.
I will sound like a broken record but, as always, the Browns' ability to get to the quarterback will dictate this game. Baltimore's offensive line is fine, but it isn't quite as strong as it was in Week 1 with the injury of Ronnie Stanley. Last season in their fluke win in Baltimore, the Browns got to Lamar Jackson and forced errors and turnovers. That's the only way they can stop the Ravens tonight, considering how bad the rest of the defense looks week-to-week.
Myles Garrett has to eat. Olivier Vernon and Sheldon Richardson must piggy-back off of that pressure. If not? Well, expect plenty of long plays of Lamar Jackson finding Mark Andrews. Tight Ends continue to kill the Brownd and Andrews' return tonight will be a huge boost for the Ravens.
I don't ever have a ton of confidence in this unit, outside of Myles Garrett, but if they can string together a few empty drives for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens' offense, they'll have a chance.
Can the Browns build an early lead?
That's the key component to beating the Ravens. Take them out of their style of play, and do it early.
The Browns beat the Titans last week in large part due to coming out of the gates hot. They clamped down early and forced the Titans to play a different, non-Derrick Herny style of football.
Tonight Cleveland must do the same. Early on they have to score and keep the pressure on the Ravens. No dumb mistakes, no errors that allow free points for the Ravens.
Their matchup in Week 1 was actually quite close for a while in the first half. The Browns had the ball down 17-6 late before an Odell Beckham Jr. drops and Austin Seibert missed field goal, followed by a two-minute drill touchdown by the Ravens to take a 24-6 led.
Baltimore will strike, and they'll do so quickly if the Browns leave any opening.
No bullshit tonight, Cleveland.
I will be recording trivia tonight during the first 10-15 minutes of the game (depending on how much Brandon complains), so, for me, please watch the last match…
Tomorrow we have Coley, Robbie Fox, & Ben Mintz going up against Brandon & PFT.
Normally I would take the Ravens, but Dave & Big Cat giving me shit on the rundown (trust me, I am happy about this season) has convinced me to have some positive energy…
PREDICTION: Browns defeat Ravens, 27-24