The Ravens (7-2) and Browns (5-3) are a little over an hour away from a key AFC North matchup at M&T Bank Stadium in a game that could create separation at the top of the division.
Baltimore leads the league in points allowed (13.8), the lowest number this far into a season since its 2000 Super Bowl-winning defense.
We’re looking at three keys for the Ravens’ defense, with kickoff fast approaching.
Pressure Deshaun Watson
Cleveland will be without its top three offensive tackles, and they’ll deal with a Baltimore defense that leads the NFL in sacks.
Feed Odafe Oweh
Oweh has two sacks in three games since returning from injury and is a player to watch even with Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy excelling through 9 weeks.
Talk with the pads
While the Browns have been doing all the talking, the Ravens are looking to talk with their pads, and that physicality will be much needed on Sunday.
Baltimore ranks first in points per game, yards per play, opponent quarterback rating, sacks and red zone defense; and second in yards allowed per game, passing yards allowed per game and defensive DVOA.
Cleveland rushed for 93 yards on the Ravens in the first matchup, but 40 of those yards came on a Pierre Strong Jr. run in the final 45 seconds of a 25-point blowout.
The Ravens held the Browns to 24 carries for 53 yards outside of that one Pierre Strong run.
In four games since the loss to Baltimore, the Browns have averaged 144.5 rushing yards. The Ravens’ focus will start with stopping the run.
