• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Browns need offensive spark in meeting with Ravens

Sep 16, 2008 - 8:38 PM CLEVELAND (0-2) AT BALTIMORE (1-0), 4:15 pm EDT

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The Baltimore Ravens had an unexpected bye last week. The Cleveland Browns probably wished they had too.

The only team in the league to open the season with two home games, the winless Browns hit the road to take on the Ravens on Sunday in an AFC North matchup.

One of the trendy picks to win the division following a 10-6 mark in 2007, Cleveland (0-2) instead has been held to a league-low 16 points in losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers.

A date with the Ravens hardly would seem to be a cure for the Browns' offensive woes. Baltimore (1-0) held the Cincinnati Bengals to eight first downs in a season-opening 17-10 win.

The Ravens were forced into a bye this past weekend when Hurricane Ike damaged Reliant Stadium, causing Monday night's game against the Houston Texans to be postponed.

Browns quarterback Derek Anderson will look to get untracked after having thrown for only 280 yards in the two games. Last season, Anderson threw for 32 touchdown passes as Cleveland averaged a healthy 25.3 points per game.

Hindered by rain and gusty winds, Anderson finished 18-of-32 for 166 yards and two interceptions against Pittsburgh.

"We just didn't make enough plays," Anderson said. "Especially simple things like throwing and catching."

Rookie Joe Flacco makes his second start for the Ravens, looking to build upon a debut in which he completed 15-of-29 for 129 yards. He also ran for 38 yards and a touchdown in the Ravens' 17-10 victory over the Bengals.

Baltimore running back Willis McGahee, who sat out the season opener as he works his way back from arthroscopic knee surgery, is expected to be available for Sunday's game.

Le'Ron McClain and rookie Ray Rice filled the void in Week One, rushing for 86 and 64 yards, respectively.

The Browns swept the season series in 2007.