Ravens lose Flacco, Forsett for season a week before Browns game
By Josh Poloha.
The injury bug has officially hit the Baltimore Ravens this season. Already without top wide receiver Steve Smith, starting center Jeremy Zuttah, first-round selection and wide receiver Breshad Perriman, and star linebacker Terrell Suggs, the Ravens suffered two more devastating injuries in their 16-13 win over the St. Louis Rams. Quarterback Joe Flacco (torn ACL and possibly MCL) and running back Justin Forsett (broken arm) will also miss the remainder of the season.
Since being drafted 18th overall by the Ravens in 2008, Flacco has never missed a game, a streak that will obviously end next Monday night. The Cleveland Browns will certainly not miss the 2012 Super Bowl MVP. He has won 13 of 15 meetings against the Browns. In those 15 games, Flacco has completed over 62 percent of his passes, including throwing for 19 touchdowns (highest against any opponent) and seven interceptions. He also has 48 carries for 85 yards and three touchdowns (all three are highest against any opponent) against Cleveland as well.
Forsett, who barely has any experience against the Browns, has ran for 326 yards and just one touchdown on 57 carries in four games against Cleveland. He also has 10 receptions for 68 yards against Cleveland as well.
In their previous meeting this season, the Browns beat the Ravens in an overtime thriller in Baltimore, 33-30. Flacco threw for 210 yards and one touchdown, while completing 19-of-35 pass attempts.
Josh McCown was the Browns’ quarterback in the overtime win over the Ravens in Week 5, something that will obviously change due to the fact that Johnny Manziel has been named the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. Forsett ran for 121 yards and one touchdown on 21 carries, and also had four receptions for 49 yards in the first meeting of the season.
With a Monday night matchup featuring a 3-7 team in the Ravens against a 2-8 Browns team, Cleveland will take any advantage they can get against their division foes.
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