NFL loves storylines they made this matchup for a reason. Sunday will mark the franchise's 30th anniversary after moving from Cleveland , and just so happens they slot the Browns in to participate in the Ravens home opener. As much as I love nostalgia and the old throwback uniforms , I kinda don't want to be reminded of the year when the Ravens sucked! However, this milestone certainly reflects on how much progress this team has quickly made over the years since relocating to Baltimore. Based on some of the pregame banter I can already sense this will be a chippy game. The Browns will come in looking to spoil the festivities.
I expect Ravens defensively to put up a better performance but I can't say that Flacco won't shred that secondary if given time. Ravens defense has potential to be better than last year's unit but that secondary is a work in progress right now. Losing Ar'Darius Washington has made an impact chemistry-wise. Malaki Starks is still green and finding his footing. Jaire Alexander, oh man don't get me started he got a ways to go. I don't expect the secondary to plug all the leaks just yet, might take another month until they have their BYE week.
Offensively, Ravens can definitely put up 30+ on any given day which was impressive last week when they didn't have Isaiah Likely and Pat Ricard. They'll be out again this week. I think they might miss them for this game. Browns secondary could be a scrappy bunch, Lamar may have to rely more on tight end Mark Andrew this week he was MIA in week 1..
Lastly, Tyler Loop seems like a decent kicker until he missed that extra point that ended up being one of many factors Ravens lost last week. Being a rookie, you have to wonder if he can come thru in the clutch in January if it comes down to a game winning field goal kick. Some of my off-season concerns seemed to be realized getting a glimpse of the Ravens meltdown versus the Bills granted they were a good team. the Browns aren't on their level.
Due to my assessment, I don't think Ravens deserve to be an 11.5 pt favorite right now not if their defense is going to play like the 1996 Ravens!! There have been quite a few celebration style tribute games in the past where Ravens energy didn't match the hype. The AFC Championship game a couple years ago is the most recent example they made it too much of a spectacle out of it like they were assured they were going to win. Don't get too cocky just because it's the Browns. Flacco will ball out for his homecoming game
Browns +11.5
Browns ml +550 *small*
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