The Browns are looking to get back in the winning column and play host to the AFC North-leading Ravens on Saturday at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens will not have their MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, but they have an excellent defense and have won six of their last seven games. The Browns will have to play clean, sound football to get the win on Saturday.
1. Win the Turnover Battle
The Browns are 3-0 in 2022 when winning the turnover battle, and they're just 2-8 when they haven't. The Ravens have forced 23 takeaways this year, including 14 interceptions, and rank second in the NFL in that category. Baltimore also takes care of the football and sits at +9 in the turnover differential this year, also second-best in the league.
The last time the Browns beat the Ravens was last December at home. QB Tyler Huntley started the game and will start again for the Ravens this week. The difference in the Browns' 24-22 win that day were turnovers and big plays from the defense — they sacked Huntley three times and forced two fumbles, and one of those was a Myles Garrett sack, strip, fumble recovery touchdown that played a massive role in the victory.
Check out photos of players and coaches working to prepare for the teams regular season game against the Baltimore Ravens
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio's helmet before practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Wide Receiver Marquez Stevenson (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Tight end Harrison Bryant (88) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Defensive Backs Coach Jeff Howard during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio's helmet before practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Linebacker Storey Jackson (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (96) and Defensive tackle Ben Stille (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Defensive end Isaac Rochell (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Center Greg Mancz (65) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Linebacker Storey Jackson (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Offensive tackle Chris Hubbard (74) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey (97) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Linebacker Jermaine Carter (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Defensive end Alex Wright (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Linebacker Tony Fields II (42) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Defensive end Chase Winovich (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Defensive end Chase Winovich (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Defensive tackle Roderick Perry II (64) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Wide Receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Offensive guard Hjalte Froholdt (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (96), Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) and Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio's helmet before practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Wide receiver Mike Harley Jr. (82) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Linebacker Sam Kamara (92) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Quarterback Kellen Mond (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Defensive tackle Tommy Togiai (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Defensive end Isaac Rochell (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Brandon Lynch during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Running back Demetric Felton (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Wide Receiver Daylen Baldwin (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Wide Receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Wide Receiver Marquez Stevenson (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Defensive tackle Taven Bryan (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2022.
Running Back D'Ernest Johnson (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Quarterback Kellen Mond (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Wide Receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Defensive end Chase Winovich (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Defensive Backs Coach Jeff Howard during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
\Defensive Backs Coach Jeff Howard during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. (31) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Defensive Coordinator Joe Woods during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Assistant Athletic Trainer Pat Rock during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Defensive back Herb Miller (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Defensive end Chase Winovich (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
Defensive back Herb Miller (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2022.
2. Win via the pass
Since Week 9 when they acquired an elite linebacker in Roquan Smith, the Ravens are allowing just 55 yards per game on the ground and have surrendered just 2.8 yards per carry, both fewest in the NFL. They haven't allowed a single 100-yard rusher this season, and Nick Chubb's 91 yards in Week 7 are the most anyone has produced against the Ravens in 2022. As for Chubb, he has not reached 100 yards against the Ravens in six straight games, so it's likely the Browns will have to generate big plays and points via Deshaun Watson and the passing game.
The Ravens are 26th against the pass this year, allowing 250 yards and nearly 1.5 passing touchdowns passing per game. In the first meeting, Jacoby Brissett was 22-for-27 (81 percent) for 258 yards and a 106.5 quarterback rating. Averaging nearly 10 yards per attempt should help the Browns move the ball and get points on a Ravens secondary that has had its struggles at cornerback. Marcus Peters is back off of an ACL injury from last season and is allowing a completion percentage of 71 percent, a quarterback rating of 118 and five touchdowns in coverage. Kyle Hamilton, a rookie first-round pick, is playing the big nickel of late and has struggled in coverage to the tune of an 83 percent completion percentage and a 133 QB rating. The Browns need to give Watson time to find Amari Cooper, the red hot Donovan Peoples-Jones and David Njoku, and the Browns should find success through the air.
3. Stop the Run
Last week, the Ravens ran for 215 yards in their win over the Steelers and were led by J.K. Dobbins with 120 yards, while Gus Edwards added another 66. Baltimore attempted just 17 passes in the game, but it was enough due to the incredible dominance on the ground. If the Browns are going to win this game and slow down the Ravens rushing attack, which will also feature a big dose of runs from Huntley, they must be gap and assignment sound against the run. If they can play the run well, especially on early downs, they will get the Ravens into obvious passing situations, and that's not where their offense thrives.
Baltimore has not thrown a touchdown pass to a wide receiver since Week 3, and tight end Mark Andrews has not caught a touchdown since Week 6. This is not an elite passing attack, so the Browns must stop the run and force the Ravens to throw if they want to win on Saturday.
