RADIO
This is a matchup that doesn't offer much in terms of real life implications. Both teams have had rough seasons and have 26 guys either on injured reserve or that are just out for this game. The players left are a giant pile of fantasy potential just waiting to be sorted through to find that hidden gem. Both teams are starting a different quarterback from the one they started last week so that always makes it difficult to expect a lot from the receivers and backs around them. But both teams have some pretty horrid defenses so someone is going to be put up numbers. Check out the matchups we love and hate below
Monday Night Football Analysis - Ravens @ Browns
Matchups We Love
Javorius "Buck" Allen, RB, Ravens - Buck Allen is basically the only player left on the offense that has contributed somewhat to the team this year. His back up, Terrance West, was signed to the Ravens two weeks ago and was inactive last week against the Rams. With Matt Schaub starting at QB, and absolutely no outside WR talent, the Ravens will be running with Allen as much as possible. Allen had 115 total yards after Justin Forsett got hurt last week. The Browns have given up 150+ rushing yard in all but three games this season including 181 to the Ravens in Week 3. Allen has little to no competition when it comes to touches and will be relied upon against a weak run defense. He is a must start in all leagues.
Crockett Gilmore, TE, Ravens - The Browns are almost as bad at stopping the pass as they are at stopping the run. The last three weeks Cleveland has given up an average of 330 yards through the air as well as 32 points per game (to be fair, it was against three good passing teams). Of all the receiving options that are still healthy on the Ravens, Gilmore has the highest yards per reception average and the most touchdowns. Gilmore has been producing while Flacco was there and should see the same if not more targets with Schaub suiting up.
Gary Barnidge, TE, Browns - In the six weeks that Barnidge and McCown played together the TE had 36 receptions for 512 yards and six touchdowns. To put that in perspective, in the seven previous years of his career Barnidge had a total of 44 receptions for 603 yards and three touchdowns. For whatever reason McCown and Barnidge have a thing going on and there's no denying it. The 30 year old TE has come off the scrap heap and made himself a viable TE2 or low upside flex play. Only in Cleveland can Gary Barnidge become a pseudo, kind of, almost star (He will make the Pro Bowl for AFC tight ends, seriously, after three touchdowns in seven years this guy's going to the Pro Bowl because...Browns).
Travis Benjamin, WR, Browns - The Ravens give up the third most fantasy points to opposing WRs and have been one of the league's worst pass defenses all season. Benjamin had six receptions for 83 yards against Baltimore Week 5. He has only gotten better since then despite the team falling apart around him. Benjamin has emerged as a playmaker in his fourth year and should be started in all leagues despite his low upside.
Matchups We Hate
Browns RBs - The Ravens have a decent run defense that has only given up a 100 yards rushing twice this year. They rank in the top half of the league in most run defense categories and have found themselves on the losing end because of their secondary and lots of last second plays. The Browns have not been able to get either Duke Johnson Jr. or Isaiah Crowell going this season. Both backs split time pretty evenly in an offense that has a lot of trouble running the ball. Both of them should be on your bench.
Prove It To Me Matchups
Matt Schaub, QB, Ravens - How many pick-6's will Schaub throw before the team calls Brett Favre to see what he's doing? No, but seriously, Schaub hasn't played in awhile after completely imploding in Houston and should be steered clear away from. Even a healthy Flacco couldn't do much with this Ravens offense so I do not expect anything from Schaub.
Josh McCown, QB, Browns - McCown has played well this season but the team keeps losing. During the six week span where he played the most he threw 11 touchdowns to four interceptions while completing 65 percent of his passes. Yet because of the unknown Johnny Manziel situation and whether or not the team plans on starting him going forward, it is almost impossible to trust McCown.
