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JAMISON HENSLEY'S SCOUTING REPORT: Game 9 AT CLEVELAND
Ravens run offense vs. Browns run defense: As a team, the Ravens have averaged 162 yards in the past three meetings with the Browns. Last year at Cleveland, running back Ray Rice ran for 154 yards on 21 attempts. Since taking over as the primary back this season, he has averaged 76.2 yards rushing over his past five games. Rice has scored four rushing touchdowns in his last three games. Even with defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, Cleveland has the second-worst run defense in the NFL. Injuries have sidelined the Browns' starting linebackers ( Eric Barton and D'Qwell Jackson) for the remainder of the season. David Bowens and rookie Kaluka Maiava are the likely replacements in the starting lineup. Edge: RAVENS
Ravens pass offense vs. Browns pass defense: Derrick Mason caught just three of the 13 passes thrown his direction last game, but the veteran wide receiver has recorded two straight 100-yard receiving performances against Cleveland (including 118 yards earlier this season). Joe Flacco is also trying to rebound after the Ravens quarterback struggled last week in Cincinnati (18-for-32 for 195 yards and two interceptions). In the Sept. 27 meeting with the Browns, Flacco threw for 342 yards, the second-most in his NFL career. With lackluster cornerbacks and an average pass rush, the Browns are tied for the 22nd-ranked pass defense. Cornerback Brandon McDonald has struggled with giving up yards after catches, and the other starter, Eric Wright, continues to play even though he flipped his car about three weeks ago. Kamerion Wimbley has five sacks in seven games this season. Edge: RAVENS
Browns run offense vs. Ravens run defense: This should mark the last game between the Ravens and Browns running back Jamal Lewis. He has already announced his retirement in the midst of one of his worst seasons (58.1 yards rushing per game). But it's unknown whether Lewis will play against his former team because he is questionable with an ankle injury. Lewis, who remains the Ravens' all-time leading rusher, has been limited to 65.2 yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry against his former team. Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, who missed the first game of his NFL career last week, is questionable with an ankle injury. The Ravens have not allowed more than 73 yards rushing in the past three meetings with Cleveland. Edge: RAVENS
Browns pass offense vs. Ravens pass defense: Brady Quinn makes his first start at quarterback since he was benched at halftime two months ago in Baltimore. In that game, he was 6-for-8 for 34 yards and an interception. After trading away wide receiver Braylon Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow, the Browns lack playmakers in the passing game. Their No. 1 receiver is Mohamed Massaquoi, who has 19 catches and six dropped passes. The Ravens, who haven't had an interception in 14 quarters, picked off a season-high four passes earlier this season against Cleveland. Cornerback Fabian Washington, who was sidelined part of last game with a thigh bruise, is probable. Edge: RAVENS
Special teams: Rookie kickoff returner Lardarius Webb is questionable after missing Saturday's practice with an illness. Chris Carr, who didn't create any spark as the Ravens' returner earlier this season, would run back punts and kickoffs. Cleveland is also dealing with some game-day decisions. Browns punter Dave Zastudil, who leads the NFL with 25 kicks inside the 20-yard line, is questionable with a right (non-kicking) knee injury. The Browns recently tried out four punters: Glenn Pakulak, Britton Colquitt, Reggie Hodges and A.J. Trapasso. The Ravens' Steve Hauschka has missed his last two field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter. Cleveland returner Joshua Cribbs ran back a kickoff return 92 yards for a touchdown last season against the Ravens, one of his eight career touchdowns off returns. Edge: RAVENS
Intangibles: The Ravens have lost five straight Monday Night Football games but they can't afford to lose to the dysfunctional Browns and still consider themselves playoff contenders. Browns fans are so disgruntled that they might not sit in their seats for opening kickoff to protest the direction of the franchise. Jamal Lewis showed the level of dissatisfaction with Eric Mangini when he blasted the first-year coach for working players too hard during the week. Maybe that's true because eight Browns are questionable with injuries. The Ravens are looking to sweep Cleveland for the second straight season. Edge: RAVENS
Prediction: For once, Flacco and the Ravens will get off to a fast start with a couple of touchdowns in the first quarter. This already unattractive national television game will turn ugly early. RAVENS, 34-10.
Ravens run offense vs. Browns run defense: As a team, the Ravens have averaged 162 yards in the past three meetings with the Browns. Last year at Cleveland, running back Ray Rice ran for 154 yards on 21 attempts. Since taking over as the primary back this season, he has averaged 76.2 yards rushing over his past five games. Rice has scored four rushing touchdowns in his last three games. Even with defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, Cleveland has the second-worst run defense in the NFL. Injuries have sidelined the Browns' starting linebackers ( Eric Barton and D'Qwell Jackson) for the remainder of the season. David Bowens and rookie Kaluka Maiava are the likely replacements in the starting lineup. Edge: RAVENS
Ravens pass offense vs. Browns pass defense: Derrick Mason caught just three of the 13 passes thrown his direction last game, but the veteran wide receiver has recorded two straight 100-yard receiving performances against Cleveland (including 118 yards earlier this season). Joe Flacco is also trying to rebound after the Ravens quarterback struggled last week in Cincinnati (18-for-32 for 195 yards and two interceptions). In the Sept. 27 meeting with the Browns, Flacco threw for 342 yards, the second-most in his NFL career. With lackluster cornerbacks and an average pass rush, the Browns are tied for the 22nd-ranked pass defense. Cornerback Brandon McDonald has struggled with giving up yards after catches, and the other starter, Eric Wright, continues to play even though he flipped his car about three weeks ago. Kamerion Wimbley has five sacks in seven games this season. Edge: RAVENS
Browns run offense vs. Ravens run defense: This should mark the last game between the Ravens and Browns running back Jamal Lewis. He has already announced his retirement in the midst of one of his worst seasons (58.1 yards rushing per game). But it's unknown whether Lewis will play against his former team because he is questionable with an ankle injury. Lewis, who remains the Ravens' all-time leading rusher, has been limited to 65.2 yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry against his former team. Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, who missed the first game of his NFL career last week, is questionable with an ankle injury. The Ravens have not allowed more than 73 yards rushing in the past three meetings with Cleveland. Edge: RAVENS
Browns pass offense vs. Ravens pass defense: Brady Quinn makes his first start at quarterback since he was benched at halftime two months ago in Baltimore. In that game, he was 6-for-8 for 34 yards and an interception. After trading away wide receiver Braylon Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow, the Browns lack playmakers in the passing game. Their No. 1 receiver is Mohamed Massaquoi, who has 19 catches and six dropped passes. The Ravens, who haven't had an interception in 14 quarters, picked off a season-high four passes earlier this season against Cleveland. Cornerback Fabian Washington, who was sidelined part of last game with a thigh bruise, is probable. Edge: RAVENS
Special teams: Rookie kickoff returner Lardarius Webb is questionable after missing Saturday's practice with an illness. Chris Carr, who didn't create any spark as the Ravens' returner earlier this season, would run back punts and kickoffs. Cleveland is also dealing with some game-day decisions. Browns punter Dave Zastudil, who leads the NFL with 25 kicks inside the 20-yard line, is questionable with a right (non-kicking) knee injury. The Browns recently tried out four punters: Glenn Pakulak, Britton Colquitt, Reggie Hodges and A.J. Trapasso. The Ravens' Steve Hauschka has missed his last two field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter. Cleveland returner Joshua Cribbs ran back a kickoff return 92 yards for a touchdown last season against the Ravens, one of his eight career touchdowns off returns. Edge: RAVENS
Intangibles: The Ravens have lost five straight Monday Night Football games but they can't afford to lose to the dysfunctional Browns and still consider themselves playoff contenders. Browns fans are so disgruntled that they might not sit in their seats for opening kickoff to protest the direction of the franchise. Jamal Lewis showed the level of dissatisfaction with Eric Mangini when he blasted the first-year coach for working players too hard during the week. Maybe that's true because eight Browns are questionable with injuries. The Ravens are looking to sweep Cleveland for the second straight season. Edge: RAVENS
Prediction: For once, Flacco and the Ravens will get off to a fast start with a couple of touchdowns in the first quarter. This already unattractive national television game will turn ugly early. RAVENS, 34-10.
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The browns actually have the Special Teams edge. with Cribbs and Dawson. Another journalism FAIL by the Sun.
PS would somebody please BAN mdonline who has been spamming all over the site for the past 2-3 weeks?
DrunkRichard (11/16/2009, 10:39 AM )