The last time the Ravens and the Browns faced off, the Browns learned the hard way that they would be the doormat of the AFC North again this season. The Ravens discovered that they could make waves through the NFL as a dominating team that everybody on their schedule should be aware of. How quickly things can change.

Week 10 is upon us, and the Ravens have won just once since that 3rd game of the season. They have seen themselves lose twice to

the Cincinnati Bengals, once to the Minnesota Vikings, and once to the New England Patriots. There is no shame in losing to those teams; They are three of the toughest opponents in the league this season. However, the Ravens schedule does not get any easier. What was thought to be a battle of best against worst seven weeks ago, the match up against Cleveland currently has a very different feel to it. Desperation is hanging in the air around Baltimore, and rightfully so. The Ravens are not extending an undefeated season anymore, but instead attempting to salvage a shot to make the post season.

The Bengals have ripped the title of biggest challenger to Pittsburgh out of the arms of this Ravens team, leaving a horrible taste in the mouth of fans. While the game against Cleveland provides an opportunity for the Ravens to run over an opponent, as we saw them do in the first meeting with a 30-3 routing, it leaves little satisfaction when you think about what the future holds for this team. The Colts and Steelers are waiting in the wings, along with the Packers and the Bears, who are no pushover in their own rights. But I digress.

This week, the focus should, and will be, on the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens have learned quickly this year that no opponent, no matter how horrible, should be looked past. We saw the Bengals struggle last season, and the Ravens seemed to make the mistake of preparing for that same team when the clubs met for the first time this year. The NFL is a cruel league, and everything should be accounted for in order to avoid embarrassment.

The Browns are a struggling team and are looking for an excuse to play hard in an attempt to get something positive out of an otherwise poor season. The Ravens are a struggling team that still has a chance to make something out of a season that has seen them both on top of the world and bottom of the barrel. When these two clash tomorrow night, it will be a very interesting reaction to watch.

It may be risky, but Ngata needs to play against Cleveland.

Baltimore may be playing without Haloti Ngata on the defensive side of the ball. While some reports are saying that he could possibly play, it’s hard to think that the Ravens might risk further injury with a game against Indianapolis in six days. The hole in the defense was definitely felt last week, and Cedric Benson took full advantage. While Jamal Lewis and his backup buddies don’t pose quite the threat that Benson does, it all falls back on avoiding looking past an opponent. The Ravens can’t afford to hold anybody out of the game that is able to play, especially someone who makes plays like Ngata. The switch should be on desperation mode, which automatically puts Haloti in the starting lineup.

Other players that need to have a big week are the wide receivers. Besides the game against Denver, the offense has been quieter than they were in the beginning of the season. Joe Flacco needs to find help from Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, and Kelley Washington. But the door swings both ways; Flacco also has to put the ball in their hands more. A game without plays involving your wide receivers usually ends the wrong way.

The defense is another factor that cannot be missing. We all saw what a lack of defense does to a team last week against the Bengals. We have also been witnesses to a good Ravens’ defense when they showed up to play Denver. What unit will show up this week against Cleveland? It has to be the one we all would rather see; A bad defense and porous pass coverage will cost a team games to even the lowliest teams.

The Browns don’t have much in terms of threatening players. But, as was stated earlier, it’s never a good idea to mess with a team that is down on it’s luck. The smallest excuse for Cleveland to play harder may be all it takes to surprise an over confident Ravens’ team. Players are desperate, fans are desperate, and management is desperate- together, it is a recipe for an upset.

What the Ravens don’t want to do now is to lose a game they are expected to win. But, more importantly, they cannot lose another game to a divisional rival. Even with a win, they will be two games out of first place with the season getting more difficult from here on out. Total preparation is necessary for a win tomorrow.

With all this talk about not looking past your opponent, it is safe to say that, come Tuesday, fans will be hoping that a 5-4 record is a good enough sign that there is still life in the Baltimore Ravens. With the Colts and the Steelers on the horizon, a winning record is the least we could all ask for.

Prediction:

Ravens 28, Browns 7