Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns in Baltimore.
Yes, it’s a big game, probably as big as it can be in the middle of the 17-game NFL season.
It’s time to confess: I’m excited about the game and excited to talk about it in person. I’m also very curious/concerned about how the Browns will perform in that atmosphere.
“We have a chance to play in front of our fans in a really big game,” Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said during his Wednesday news conference.
I know, I’m probably exhausting the big game theme, but why not? It’s sport.
The Browns are 5-3. They’re talented, at least talented enough to keep Harbaugh pumping up the juice to get his fans ready. “I know they (the fans) are going to be really excited,” the Baltimore coach said.
“I know they will be loud. I know they will disrupt the meeting and communication between the Browns by making as much noise as possible, not only when the ball is snapped, but also between plays. We want to encourage him.”
Maybe Harbaugh said things like that before another Cleveland game in Baltimore, but I can’t remember.
Harbaugh has a record of 25-6 against the Browns. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
CROWS ARE REAL
Baltimore may be the best team in the NFL with a 7-2 record. The Ravens are on a four-game winning streak and are averaging 32 points.
Detroit came into Baltimore with a 5-1 record and left them with a 38-6 loss.
Last Sunday, Seattle traveled to Baltimore with a 5-2 record. The Seahawks ended up with a 37-3 loss.
Yes, this is a huge game – I know, I just upped the ante from big to HUGE – for the Browns. This is an opportunity to see if the Browns are legitimate contenders in the AFC North.
This is not a decisive match. The Browns can lose and still be in the playoff race at 5-4.
But the game should teach us a lot about Cleveland. Dorian Thompson-Robinson was the emergency starter when the two teams played in Cleveland earlier in the season.
It was his first NFL start. He was passed and the Browns were beaten 28-3.
Can Deshaun Watson look like an elite QB against Baltimore’s stellar defense? Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
WATSON’S MOMENT
This time it’s Deshaun Watson’s turn at quarterback.
“Deshaun is a playmaker,”
Harbaugh said. “He can do it with play action: the shoes and the action elements of their zone running game.
He so he can expand the game and run. … He does a really good job of running to find receivers when he gets out of the pocket.
This is the Deshaun Watson the Browns traded for last year. This is the Deshaun Watson we saw a few times in the 11 games he played with Cleveland.
Maybe some of you are like me when it comes to Watson – you’re still waiting to find out what you have in the guy you call a franchise quarterback.
