Baltimore Ravens: Javorius Allen will be X-Factor vs. Cleveland Browns

The Baltimore Ravens will be playing the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football with a very strange looking backfield.

It has not been a good 2015 season for the Baltimore Ravens, as, after 10 games, they have a 3-7 record. Injuries have really cost the Ravens dearly this season, as they lost defensive leader Terrell Suggs in the first week of the season, but Week 11 was really the death blow to the Ravens’ season.

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In their 16-13 win against the St. Louis Rams, the Ravens lost their two best offensive players in the game. Early on in the win, running back Justin Forsett suffered a broken arm, and then quarterback Joe Flacco suffered a torn ACL.

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Forsett wasn’t playing nearly as well this season than he did in the 2014 season, as this season, Forsett totaled 641 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 31 receptions, and 151 receiving yards.

Flacco was also having a down season for the Ravens, as he totaled 2,791 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Despite not having the greatest of seasons, the Ravens certainly are a much better team with both Forsett and Flacco in the backfield.

After the injury to Forsett against the Rams, it was Javorius Allen who took his place as the primary running back.

Allen was drafted by the Ravens in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft after three seasons at USC. In 2014, Allen tore it up for the Trojans, as he totaled 1,489 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, 41 receptions, 458 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. With an every down back in Forsett ahead of him on the depth chart, Allen didn’t get many touches before the game against the Rams.

In Week 11, Allen totaled a career-high in rushing attempts with 22, and rushing yards with 67. The Rams have a very good run defense, which held Allen to just three yards per carry.

On Monday Night Football against the Browns, the Ravens will be relying heavily on Allen once again, as Matt Schaub will be making the start at quarterback. Having a strong running game against the Browns will be key for the Ravens as they can’t expect much from Schaub with a receiving core that is one of the worst in the NFL after the season-ending injury to Steve Smith Sr.

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The good news for the Ravens is that the Browns come into Monday Night Football with one of the worst rushing defenses in the league. This season, the Browns rank 28th in the NFL in total rushing yards allowed, as they have given up 1,388 rushing yards.

Cleveland really comes into this game limping, as they have lost five consecutive games. The Browns will also be back to starting Josh McCown on Monday night after Johnny Manziel was benched for more off-the-field issues.

The rookie running back for the Ravens can really make a name for himself on Monday, as he is a popular fantasy pick this week against the struggling Browns. Allen will be the Ravens’ X-Factor on Monday night, as if he has a good game, the Ravens will be in a great position for a win.