Browns (1-2) @ Baltimore Ravens (2-1)

How the Browns Win …

• Baker Mayfield and the Browns offense needs to step it up. Mayfield’s 70.3 passer rating has him ranked 32nd and his 56.9% completion rate ranks at 30th. Mayfield has thrown into double coverage 6.4% of the time compared to 0% for the Ravens
• The Browns are ranked 32nd in penalty yardage, almost three-times more than the most-disciplined Colts. They’ll need to be disciplined and avoid piggybacking the Baltimore offense
• Jackson threw a career high 43 passing attempts last week but was limited to 267-yards. The Browns will want to force the Ravens away from their style of physical smash-mouth football
• Browns will need to be mindful of the 27th ranked Raven’s secondary starring Earl Thomas and Brandon Carr, who are hungry to bounce back after a poor showing against the Chiefs

How the Ravens Win …

• Lamar Jackson needs to keep it clean like he has. He’s fired away 221 straight passes without an interception and thrown for seven TDs
• With the #1 ranked offense in the NFL, exploit the Brown’s secondary. Both starting cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams as well as safety Morgan Burnett are likely to miss this week
• Get Odell Beckham off his game. The last time he played against the Ravens he exploded for 222-yards and 2 TDs on 8 receptions. He plays with a lot of emotion and if the D plays physical on him it should throw him off
• Force Mayfield out of the tackle box as he’s been inaccurate when forced outside of it. The Ravens are 1st in the NFL for quarterback hits (plus seven sacks) and they’ll be looking to converting on more of those

Cincinnati Bengals (0-3)@ Pittsburgh Steelers (0-3)

How the Bengals Win …

• The offensive line needs to create gaps for Joe Mixon and the 32nd ranked rushing unit (42-yards per game). An opportunity against the 27th ranked against the rush
• This has every chance of turning into a shootout with both teams inept at rushing. Bengals will fancy their chances of Dalton outgunning Mason Rudolph
• Bengals are currently ranked 3rd in the NFL for passing yards. Steelers are 30th against the pass
• Andy Dalton to target C.J. Uzomah. The Steelers are struggling to shut down offenses between the hashes and have had no answers against tight ends
• The Steelers are 30th for third-down conversions with just over 25% converted. The Bengals will be looking to starve any momentum.

How the Steelers Win …

• Pure desperation will drive the Steelers against a division rival at home. The Steelers have too much to lose. Since 1990 only one team out of 90 has made the playoffs after a 0-4 start
• If the Steelers can lift their sack rate of 5.3% and shut down Dalton, the Bengals are effectively toothless as they rank 32nd at rushing
• T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree have been underwhelming but can breakout this week as the Bengals offensive line, and their tackles especially, have been woeful. The Bengals have conceded 11 sacks and 16 QB pressures
• The secondary can expect an aerial raid by the 3rd ranked Bengals in passing yards and can prepare accordingly 
• The offensive line needs to open holes for the running game. They’re struggling ranking 29th against the rush and 26th against the pass

Shout out to all of those at #sportstalk. Originally posted on my Wolf Gang Sports blog, I hustle jerseys and produce content about players and their journeys with a bit of smack talk along the way. 

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