Last week the Baltimore Ravens took over the AFC North with a victory over their arch rival Pittsburgh Steelers. This week they have a less formidable opponent in the Cleveland Browns. You would think that this would be an easy game for the Ravens. However, division games are never easy. How do you feel about the Baltimore Ravens this week, are you buying or selling?
Last week the Ravens defense came to play against a somewhat healthy Pittsburgh Steelers offense. The return of Ben Roethlisberger should have made this a more competitive game. However, the Ravens controlled ¾ of the game. They held the Steelers to just 277 yards of offense. The Steelers did not get the scoreboard until the 4th quarter. If the Ravens defense is able to play this way against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night football they should have no problem walking away with a win.
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Unlike the previous team, the Ravens were not able to run the ball against Pittsburgh last week. That should change this week against a porous Browns defense. The Browns rank 31st against the run in the NFL. That should make for a lot of open lanes for the Ravens run game. If Terrence West does not have a buck twenty or more on Thursday night I would be very surprised. This is the game in which he is capable of being featured often.
This game sets up well for the Baltimore Ravens defense. They are facing a struggling Browns offense that is sticking to the development of the rookie QB Cody Kessler rather than going with the veteran Josh McCown. They are a better team with McCown under center. He moves the ball around and gets them into the right plays. The Ravens defense should be focusing on the pressure they need to create. Pressure creates turnovers and opportunities. This is something that many Ravens teams have been known for. Thursday night should be no different.
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The Baltimore Ravens have an opportunity in front of them to move ahead in their division. The Steelers play a tough Dallas Cowboys team on Sunday. This could only help the Ravens. Based on this week’s matchup I am buying the Baltimore Ravens to get me a victory. Who wouldn’t?