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Behind the stats: Ravens at Browns, Week 3

A weekly by-the-numbers look at the Cleveland Browns' next game, at home against the Baltimore Ravens:

  • 83.2 -- Joe Flacco's passer rating

  • 87.4 -- Brian Hoyer's passer rating

  • $51 million -- The guaranteed portion of Flacco’s contract

  • $1.965 million -- The complete value of Hoyer’s contract

  • 4.5 -- The Ravens' average yards per carry in the run game

  • 5.1 -- The Browns' average yards per carry in the run game

  • 89 -- Rushing yards allowed per game by Baltimore

  • 152.5 -- Rushing yards per game by the Browns' offense

  • 78.2 -- Opposing quarterbacks’ passer rating vs. Baltimore

  • 33 -- Total first downs Baltimore’s defense has allowed

  • 32.4 -- Average number of yards the Ravens have given up per drive

  • 27 -- Total points allowed by Baltimore in two games

  • 5 -- Said total points rank in the NFL by Baltimore's defense

  • 26.5 -- Points scored per game by the Browns' offense

  • 5 -- Browns' rank in total points in the NFL

  • 6.2 -- Yards per play when Baltimore faces a no-huddle offense

  • 8 -- Yards given up rushing in the red zone

  • 6 -- Yards given up passing in the red zone

  • 0 -- Opposing quarterback rating in the red zone

  • 2.33 -- Average yards given up on red-zone plays

  • 1 -- Baltimore’s rank in the NFL in red-zone efficiency

  • 1 -- The number of touchdowns the Ravens have given up in two games

Clearly the Ravens present a more serious test defensively to the Browns than Pittsburgh or New Orleans. The Ravens are a physical, aggressive group that has been very stingy giving up points. The only touchdown they allowed was a 77-yard deep throw by Andy Dalton to A.J. Green. Teams have yet to sustain any drives against them.

Offensively, both teams have had effective running games, but Baltimore has been stingy giving yards up as well. Baltimore’s struggles against the no-huddle has to have caught Mike Pettine’s eye.

If Hoyer and the offense can get something done on this Baltimore defense, it will be the first time it happens. But Baltimore has yet to play away from home and the Browns' crowd provided a huge lift in the win over New Orleans.

The numbers say this will be a tough game, but it will also be a very interesting one -- and can reveal much about where the Browns stand with the big boys of the NFL as they head to the bye week.