The Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens are prepping for a Week 2 showdown, with kickoff slated for 1 p.m. ET this Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. Both teams find themselves in a hole after dropping their respective season openers, and a divisional battle might be just what the doctor ordered to get back on track, or at least that's what fans are hoping. The game bears particular significance for veteran QB Joe Flacco, who'll be taking snaps against his former team on their home turf for the first time since departing the Ravens nest. "I have nothing but love for the people in that facility and the people in that city," Flacco reflected in an interview with FOX8.
As detailed by FOX 8, the Browns are juggling injuries, with tackle Mike Hall Jr. ruled out for the game and Jack Conklin sitting on the questionable list due to an eye and elbow injury. Stefanski's squad, in an effort to avoid what would be his first 0-2 start in six seasons, will need all hands on deck. In fact, the Browns announced the activation of running back Quinshon Judkins and the waiving of wide receiver Gage Larvadain on Saturday afternoon, perhaps signaling a shuffling of the deck to spark the team's offense.
Meanwhile, the Ravens, dubbed by SI as double-digit favorites, have set their sights high for their first divisional game of the season. The defense will concentrate efforts on Browns' defensive powerhouse Myles Garrett, who received the highest regard as the top defensive player in the NFL Top 100 list two years running. "Limiting Myles Garrett Remains Top Priority," as SI pointed out, marking the significance of containing one of the league's most formidable defenders.
Injuries, unfortunately, are a part of the weekly narrative, and the Brownswire's injury report makes that clear with six players under watch this week. Special teams might also have a key role in the endgame, both teams' rookie kickers missed extra points last week that could have swayed the outcomes in their favor, marking the importance of every point put, or not put, on the board. Baltimore's Tyler Loop made his field goal attempts, but it's Cleveland's kicker Andre Szmyt who's in the hot seat after a missed 35-yard kick against Cincinnati.
The AFC North rivalry continues as both the Browns and Ravens look to not just win, but kick-start their season into a more favorable gear. While week 2 may be too early to press the panic button, it's clear that neither team wants to dig a deeper hole this early in the season. For the Ravens, it's also about celebrating three decades of football in Baltimore, making a victory all the sweeter if they can secure it on their home turf against a familiar foe.
