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The Baltimore Ravens (1-1) pulled out a strong performance last Thursday on a national stage to  take out the Pittsburgh Steelers 26-6. The game featured a strong running game, efficient passing and a stout defense that turned the Black and Gold over three times. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns (1-1) upset the New Orleans Saints by a field goal 26-24 in the closing moments of their wild home opener.

Now the two divisional foes square off for the first time this season as Baltimore travels for it’s first test on the road in 2014. Last season the Browns knocked Baltimore for the first time in the Harbaugh/Flacco era snapping an eleven game winning streak for the Blackbirds. So which team will get it’s second consecutive win of this young season?

Let’s take a look at a few of the key match-ups for this weekend’s Week Three tilt:

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Ravens Defensive Front Seven  vs.  Browns Running Back Terrance West

Making the opposition one dimensional on offense is a common theme that you’ve read over the past few weeks here at the Match-up. As usual the same idea applies to the Cleveland Browns and their now starting rookie running back Towson alum Terrance West. In two games, West has averaged 84 yds. rushing (4.8 apc) and has supplanted starter Ben Tate fairly well. Tate has been ruled out for this Sunday’s contest as well. 

The Browns will rely on the setting the tone on the ground to set up play-action and to give quarterback Brian Hoyer time to find his targets. In their season opener against Pittsburgh the Browns ripped off three runs of twenty yards or more, which was the same amount of those types of plays they had in all of 2013. West is full of confidence right now as evidenced by his recent comments, “I can do it all” and the team is feeling good after downing the Saints. So Baltimore will need to answer the call up front and win the battle of the trenches to come home a winner.

The good news for the Ravens is that in the first two weeks they handled two of best runners in the AFC in Bernard and Bell and gave up an average of 89 yards on the ground in each game. That number puts the Ravens as a top ten rushing defense so far. They’ll need similar production on the road this Sunday.

Ravens Cornerback Jimmy Smith  vs.  Browns Wide Receiver Andrew Hawkins

Smith will once again be called on to stop the opposition’s top target. With Tight End Jordan Cameron’s status looking doubtful as he deals with shoulder issues, Hawkins will be the top receiving threat. So far Hawk has been targeted a team high 22 times and has averaged 78.5 yds. Hawkins won’t be the deep threat the some top pass catchers are but then again he’s more of a de-facto #1 with Josh Gordon suspended and Cameron injured. Still he’s been a popular target for Hoyer and the Ravens need to respect him come game day.

It should also be noted that Cameron’s replacement, Gary Barnidge had the game of his career (4-41) against New Orleans converting first downs on three of those catches across the middle of the field. 

Ravens Tight End Dennis Pitta  vs.  Browns Inside Linebacker Karlos Dansby

Dansby is an experienced dynamic player who helped lead the Browns to victory last week against New Orleans. He had a key sack against Drew Brees and had a combined twelve tackles in the victory. He did however show some weaknesses in pass coverage as often he was matched against All-Pro Jimmy Graham in the Browns blitz heavy man coverage scheme. Graham torched Cleveland for (10-118-2) a huge day. The Ravens should also be able to keep Dansby occupied with Pitta in this mismatch. 

Pitta didn’t get nearly as many looks against the Steelers as he did in Week One but on the bright side Owen Daniels benefited from what would have been Pitta’s opportunities and cashed in for two scores. Expect plenty of short crosses and quick reads against the aggressive Cleveland front.

Ravens Offensive Tackle Rick Wagner  vs.  Browns Outside Linebacker Paul Kruger

Wagner was considered by many to be the biggest question mark on the Ravens line. So far he’s acquitted himself well. He’s done better as a run blocker and has struggled with pass protection especially on bull rushes from quick players. He’ll have his hands full with the former Raven Kruger this weekend.

Now in his second season in Cleveland many thought he was just another bust who benefited from the Ravens system. He was decent last year but hardly a player who deserved the millions he received. So far in 2014 he’s starting to play up to his potential as Head Coach Mike Pettine has raved about Kruger’s improvement of his technique an area that most would say he’s lacked over his career. He has two sacks in as many games and had only four all of 2013. 

Matt Jergensen
Matt Jergensen

Matt has lived in Maryland his entire life and is a graduate of Calvert Hall and Towson University. has always been an avid Baltimore sports fan. Since 2007, he has been writing and talking about Baltimore sports, especially the Ravens. His work has appeared on Ravens Gab, Russell Street Report, and he currently co-hosts a podcast “The Blitz- A Ravens podcast” with Brent Harris.

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