Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns game preview: Battle for AFC North
By Andrew Kim
How will the Cleveland Browns run defense stop the Baltimore Ravens power run game?
Mark Ingram, former New Orleans Saints running back and free-agent pickup this past offseason, is the fifth-ranked running back based on rushing yards and has been a touchdown monster so far, rushing for five touchdowns for the Baltimore Ravens.
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On 43 carries and 257 yards on the ground (averaging six yards per carry), Ingram has been the heart and soul of the Ravens run game and what they want to do as a run-heavy team on offense. Gus Edwards (who has 120 yards rushing on 27 carries) has also been productive when he gets his share of carries.
Even though Lamar Jackson had only three rushes in Week 1, he had 16 carries in Week 2 and eight rushes in Week 3. Rushing for 172 yards and a touchdown on the ground already, the plan on offense around him could change depending on the matchup.
Jackson killed Cleveland last year on the ground and could be a threat once again as they get back to their run-heavy game plan while taking a few shots downfield (Jackson had 20 carries for 90 yards with two touchdowns on the ground in Week 17 last year against the Browns).
Joe Schobert will be the main force in the middle of the Cleveland defense and is leading the team in tackles, with almost over double compared to everyone else on their defense with 27 combined.
With Christian Kirksey on injured reserve, rookies Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki have played big roles in the Cleveland Browns defense to start the season. Schobert, along with the interior defensive line, will have to step up in run defense as they have the 14th ranked run defense and need guys like Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi to clog up the run lanes.