The Baltimore Ravens will travel to Cleveland for their third divisional match up in as many games. The Ravens have a big opportunity to improve to a 2-1 record with two wins in the division. The Browns sit at the same 1-1 record as the Ravens after two high-scoring games. The Browns offense has looked dangerous at times so far, but their defense has taken a step back following the departure of defensive coordinator Ray Horton.
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The big problem I’ve seen from the Browns is sealing the edge and containing the run, forcing it back inside. Opponents are averaging 5.4 yards per carry against them, which has them joint fourth worst in the league. This bodes well for the Ravens and their new zone blocking scheme.
The warning signs were there from the first play the Saints elected to run the ball. The Saints line up in a run heavy formation, with two tight ends and a fullback. The Browns edge defender is going to crash inside the tight end, leaving the edge open.
The edge defender gets inside the tight end, but is blocked by the fullback. The saints right tackle works quickly to the second level and blocks the linebacker, sealing off the inside of the play and allowing the running back to take his run to the edge.
The Browns defensive backs are quick to get over and make a play on this occasion, but running back Mark Ingram still picks up six yards on the run.
Later on, the Browns edge defender learns not to crash inside the tight end and concede the edge.
This time the edge defender plays outside the tight end and is covering the edge to force the run back inside.
But the tight end is allowed to reach across and get the outside leverage on the edge defender.
The wide receiver comes up and blocks the safety, sealing the edge and allowing Ingram to once again get outside and turn the corner.
Once again, it’s left to the Browns secondary to push Ingram out of bounds, but not before he picks up 12 yards and a first down.
This problem of sealing the edge persisted throughout the game for the Browns. The Saints kept exploiting it.
This time, the Saints run to their left. Once again, the Browns have their edge defender crashing inside.
As the edge defender crashes inside, Saints tight end Jimmy Graham is able to work up to the second level and cut off the linebacker.
With the edge sealed, the fullback is free to work up to the corner and spring Ingram free.
That leaves Ingram in the open field with just the free safety to beat. Luckily for the Browns, their safety was able to get across and push Ingram out of bounds to save the touchdown. But Ingram still picked up 26 yards on the run.
Once the Browns caught on to their problem, the over-compensated. That left the cutback open for the running back.
This time, the Browns have their edge defender playing the edge on the outside. They walk their safety up into the box as an extra run defender.
As Ingram approaches the line of scrimmage, you can see how the Browns over-committed. The edge defender is holding the edge to force the run back inside, while the linebacker and safety come to fill the hole. With so many defenders committed to the play-side, Ingram is able to cut it all the way back.
Ingram smartly fakes upfield before cutting back outside to help his blocker on the backside. Ingram is able to run into open field once again.
But Ingram gets caught and tackled, picking up another 15 yards on the carry.
The Ravens will be encouraged by what they’ve seen of the Browns on film. I’d expect Gary Kubiak to run his outside zone stretch plays to test if the Browns have found the answer to defending the edge. If they haven’t, then the Ravens offense will find plenty of success running the ball.
Mark is an NFL follower from across the pond. He began analyzing Redskins football for SBNation’s HogsHaven.com, before moving on to The Washington Post. He also helps with NFL Draft coverage on FanSpeak.com. Mark was born and still lives in England, often battling the time difference to watch every minute of football he can.