Kruger played with the Ravens last season.
This Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens will travel to FirstEnergy Field in Cleveland to take on their division rival Cleveland Browns at 1 pm EST. Both teams go into the contest with a 1-1 ranking, but one of them will set themselves apart. The game can be watched online via live stream below (free with subscription), or on the CBS Television network.
The Browns have found themselves in the AFC North cellar for years now, they are coming off an impressive win against the New Orleans Saints, and new coach Mike Pettine seems to have brought a new energy to the club.
For the offensive unt to find success, they will have to continue to remain turnover free. Also, they will have to figure out a way to run the ball against one of the best run stopping defenses in the league. Browns running back, and Baltimore native, Terence West wants to be a big part of that plan. So far he has 168 yards on 35 carries, averaging 4.8 per go. The rookie has made believers out of the Cleveland coaches, and he wants to make the Ravens regret not drafting him. How he performs will be a key to victory against the Ravens.
On defense, the Browns secondary has proven to be pretty tough, but, this season, the Browns are giving up 450 offensive yards and 20 points per game. They have not been able to generate consistent pressure which has made their defensive secondary more vulnerable when they try blitz packages.
The Browns' leader in sacks so far is outside linebacker Paul Kruger who has two sacks this season. Karlos Dansby and Barkevious Mingo, two other linebackers, will also bring pressure from time to time. If one of those three can get at Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, then the Browns will have a chance at winning this game.
Flacco will need to be steady, and keep the Ravens in the game on Sunday.
For the Ravens' offense, Flacco will have to be steady, and they will have to achieve a healthy balance of running and passing like they did when they whipped the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 2. Running back Bernard Pierce, who has been effective in place of Ray Rice so far this season, is suffering with a thigh injury, so Justin Forsett should get a significant number of carries, even if Pierce is ready to go Sunday. Pierce has 113 yards on 28 runs, and Forsett has 126 yards on 19 carries.
On defense, If Ravens linebackers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil can beat Browns tackles Joe Thomas and Mitchell Schwartz and keep quarterback Brian Hoyer in the pocket, they can severely disrupt the Browns' offense. Hoyer has been effective this year and hardly ever throws an interception. The well rested Ravens are going to try and change that on Sunday, though.
To catch the game online, you can check out NFL Sunday Ticket. If you want to listen on the radio, the Ravens can be heard on 1090 WBAL AM, and the Browns broadcast on WKNR 850 AM. The game will be on the CBS Television Network with a 1 pm EST kickoff.
