Give Jackson, Harbaugh, and the Ravens their Props. But not the Steelers. Pucker up, Mikey!

Everybody is all agog over the 2019 Baltimore Ravens.  Well...so am I.

Don't get me wrong: Their Defense is less than perfect, and has benefitted from positiive "game scripts" (opposing teams trying to come from behind).

The Browns defense also managed to short-circuit this offense last time, and have some players to match up with those tight ends etc.

But damn--Lamar Jackson and the 2019 Ravens' offense look all but unstoppable.

Jackson is really the key here, as he has made an ass of me and several real experts with his refined touch and accuracy in year 2; Lamar Jackson is a real quarterback, and he's barely shucked his NFL training wheels.

Some of my fellow Browns fans can't (or won't) handle the truth, but the truth is that I was wrong, and these Ravens are right there with the Patriots as AFC Superbowl favorites...and I don't think even Lord Insideous can overcome Harbaugh with that arsenal.

I do still think that the Browns can beat the Ravens again, now that Kareem Hunt is an integral part of the Browns' own unusual curveball offense, and Njoku will be back shortly, and Mayfield is...himself again...

But the Ravens will win the AFC North anyway.  Dammit.

But (oh yeah I forgot) this is STEELERS week again👍!

The bad news is that Mason Rudolph will not start for the Steelers, because Hodges is a better quarterback.

The good news is abundant:

The Steelers defense includes Devin Bush, Mark Barron, and Fitzpatrick, so on paper it looks like they have the answer to the Chubb/Hunt "backfield", except...it didn't work in game one.

Njoku is set to return for the rematch, and (to my surprise) prior to his injury, Njoku was (per PFF) the best blocker of all the Browns' Tight Ends (run/pass)!

The Browns base offense is now unmistakably "21 personel" or 2 backs and one tight end.

As you know, I was high on Ricky Seales-Jones filling Njoku's role, but he's kind of fizzled as a weapon (while actually becoming a good BLOCKER go figure---he's not done yet by any means but I digress):

Njoku is an elite weapon, and Baker Mayfield has him zeroed in.

Quick review: 21 sets with two BIG backs and a REAL tight end represent a very physical run-threat and command 3-4 or 4-3 "base" defenses.

That's 4 actual defensive backs, including a strong safety.  The Steelers have Mark Barron, who is really a safety/linebacker hybrid, and they'll use him here...but there is only one of him.

My regulars get this:  When the Browns' huddle breaks,  Hunt and Chubb often line up in a "T" flanking Mayfield in a pistol.

From here, they can pick up blitzers, go out for passes, or take handoffs.  So...do you blitze?

Handoff-wise, they threaten everywhere.  

OR, when the huddle breaks, you might get Chubb in an "i" behind Mayfield, and a defacto 4-wide with Chubb and Njoku 2 of those "wide receivers", see?

How do you cover these four guys?  Do you man up on them with your two corners and one safety and...?

Do you keep a safety in center field...with CHUBB?  Do you blitze (leaving 5 in coverage...with Chubb back there?)

Seriously who mans up on Hunt, Landry, OBJ, and Njoku?  At least they don't have to worry about Chubb catching passes...oops!!!

Hahaha this is going to be FUN!