CLEVELAND (AP) — Joe Burrow got grounded in a rainy season opener. Kenny Pickett was forced to lean on Pittsburgh’s defense to score on a Monday night. Ryan Tannehill and the Titans were trampled on Cleveland’s home turf.
Three up, three down.
The first three quarterbacks to face the Browns’ No. 1 ranked defense this season all struggled to varying degrees. None were comfortable. All were under duress.
Led by game-wrecking edge rusher Myles Garrett, Cleveland’s swaggering, swarming defense has been dominant so far, leading the NFL in virtually every prominent statistical category while playing at a historic level.
First-year coordinator Jim Schwartz’s unit has passed every test.
The toughest yet arrives Sunday.
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore’s dynamic, dual-threat QB will stress Cleveland’s D with his arm and legs as the Ravens (2-1) visit in a game that will go a long way toward proving whether the Browns (2-1) are a legitimate threat in the AFC North.
To this point, their defense looks for real.
The Browns have given up one touchdown, six points in two home victories and just 491 total yards through three games, the third fewest to start a season in league history. Only the 1999 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (430) and 1970 Detroit Lions (431) were stingier.
“Those guys are flying around,” Jackson said this week.
It may take flying around and more in order for the Browns to contain Jackson, coming off a 200-yard passing, 100-yard rushing performance in an overtime loss last week to the Indianapolis Colts, who took advantage of Baltimore missing several starters due to injures.
The Ravens are much closer to full strength. And as long Jackson is on the field, they can compete with anyone.
He’s dangerous whether taking a snap at his own 1-yard line or in the opponent’s red zone.
“He’s one of the best athletes in the NFL that just happens to play the quarterback position,” said Schwartz, who has the Browns thriving in his attacking-style scheme. “If we saw running backs doing that, we wouldn’t bat an eye. We’ve got to tackle him like he’s a running back. Tackle him like he’s a wide receiver. Just because the ball is in his hand doesn’t mean that he’s still not a threat to run.”
Jackson appears to be in sync with first-year coordinator Todd Monken, who has found the right pass-run blend to accentuate the QB’s unique skillset. Jackson has completed 73% of his passes (63 of 86) as Monken has him taking shorter drops to get the ball out of his hands quicker.
Against Garrett, the faster, the better.
Burrow was slowed by a calf injury in Week 1 and Garrett and Co. held him to a career-low 82 yards passing. Last week, Garrett sacked Tannehill 3 1/2 times alone, and the Browns held the Titans to 94 total yards, their fewest since they were the Houston Oilers.
Tennessee chose not to give Garrett extra attention until it was too late. He had 2 1/2 sacks of Tannehill by halftime, including one on the final play of the second quarter with the Titans threatening to score.
The Ravens have to make sure Jackson is better protected, even if that means using a tight end or running back to chip Garrett.
“He’s such a special athlete and specimen,” Ravens Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews said. “He’s so good at what he does. This is one of those weeks where you have to be ready to go, or guys like him and other guys on that defense are going to make you pay.”
SORE SPOT
Quarterback Deshaun Watson’s best game since joining the Browns came at a cost.
Watson took a few hard shots to his right shoulder on while running the ball against the Titans and he was limited in practice this week. He didn’t throw at all Wednesday and only short passes Thursday.
The Browns listed him as questionable Friday, when he mostly watched practice from the sideline.
END GAME
Jadeveon Clowney left Cleveland on poor terms. He’s not seeking revenge in his return.
The 30-year-old Clowney, who has played well in his first season with Baltimore, said he holds no animosity toward the Browns following a messy breakup that ended with him being released in March.
As Cleveland staggered to a 7-10 finish in 2022, Clowney said the team was more focused on getting Garrett into the Hall of Fame than winning. The Browns responded by sending him home before practice and making him inactive for the last game.
“I got a lot of respect for a lot of those guys over there that I still consider friends,” Clowney said this week. “If I had any bad blood, I don’t think I would have signed to go back there for two years in a row.”
Clowney seems rejuvenated and the Browns know not to treat him lightly.
“He’s wreaking some havoc,” guard Joel Bitonio said. “He looks long. He looks lengthy. He looks explosive. He’ll be a big challenge for us, for sure.”
CRUCIAL TRIPS
The Ravens are going to be living out of their suitcases for a while.
Starting this weekend, they’ll play three straight games on the road — at Cleveland, at Pittsburgh on Oct. 8 and in London against Tennessee on Oct. 15.
Baltimore will finish its road divisional schedule by the end of Week 5, having already banked a win at Cincinnati in Week 2.
“I go into those games playing like (they are) any other game, but it’s different because they are in the division,” Jackson said. “It’s a little extra motivation, I would say. It’s like a rivalry, and it’s physical games, very physical.”
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AP Sports Writer Noah Trister contributed.
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