Dawgs By Nature
Football has returned, but the wins haven’t come yet for the Cleveland Browns. Yes, the Browns lost a winnable game last week against division rival, the Cincinnati Bengals, but the team has to turn around and play another division rival, the Baltimore Ravens. Back-to-back division games isn’t ideal, but it’s the NFL.
The Ravens are considered favorites to win the AFC North and possibly represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, but it got off to a rough start after losing to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night after having a 15-point lead. It could be a case that the Ravens are much deeper and more talented than they were last year, but for some reaso,n they cannot get over the mental hurdle that’s plagued them the past few seasons. Here are the 2 players to watch for.
It’s only right. Jackson is arguably one of the best quarterbacks in this league. We know how dangerous of a runner he is, but his ability to pass the ball effectively and efficiently has been a revelation. Jackson was raw as a passer (in some ways) coming out of college, but he was able to refine his passing throughout the years. Accuracy, ball placement and throwing in tight windows. The Ravens’ passing game has been able to grow due to Jackson’s maturation as a passer. Jackson doesn’t nearly have to rely on his legs as he used to, but he can take off when necessary. His ability to work out of structure and make something out of nothing seems routine to him.
For the Browns, the task is simple. Contain Lamar. Is it difficult? Yes, but the Browns have to personnel to slow him down to some degree. Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is out for the year, but safety Grant Delpit is capable of spying Jackson; the same can be said for rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger.
If there is one player who has defied any doubt that was placed on him, it’s running back Derrick Henry. Since coming to Baltimore, Henry has turned into the dominant force that we saw when he was playing with the Tennessee Titans. While Henry did have a key fumble that eventually led to the Ravens losing the game, he picked up where he left off last season. He’s a big physical back with home run speed and he isn’t afraid to put his hand in your face and put you in the dirt.
Containing Henry isn’t an easy task. Henry had one game over 100 yards rushing against the Browns (granted it was the last game of the year and the defense was banged up), but the Browns have done a good job in the past. As always, the box will be loaded with multiple defenders so it’s imperative that the rush lanes aren’t opened and not allowing Henry to find those lanes and reach the second level. The Browns contained the explosive plays last week against the Bengals,...
