***MNF IN THE SWAMP- BATTLE OF THE UGLIES-BALT @ CLE***

***BALTIMORE RAVENS @ CLEVELAND BROWNS***

Tonight we have the pleasure of watching to bottom of the barrell teams in the Ravens and Browns, go at it in a AFC North Divisional battle. The Ravens have fallen victim to the injury bug majorly this season. Literally their entire team has been stripped of almost all of its playmakers. It seems like Baltimore loses key personnel every other week this season and yet they have not given up, which is something I admire. Head Coach John Harbaugh preaches a "next man up" team mentality and I think these guys really believe in it because they have been dealing with it all season. Yes they haven't won many games but have been RIGHT there in all of them. These guys know how to fight and will go toe to toe with whomever is put in front of them. Despite having no playoff implications to play for, there is always a pride factor, and Harbaugh has too much of it to let his team lay down, especially on the prime time stage of MNF. Now QB Joe Flacco seemed to be the only steady point of the Ravens offense this year until he also went down last week, enter the old forgotten veteran Matt Schaub. This guy probably had one of the quickest falls from grace the NFL has ever seen, going from Pro Bowl caliber QB to having difficulty finding a job in a matter of two seasons. Schaub had a difficult stretch where he threw a pick-6 in four straight games while starting for Houston. This led to his benching and later trade to Oakland, where he quickly lost the job to then rookie Derek Carr, which we now see is a no-brainer. I think Schaub has enough in the tank to go to battle for one night in a spot like this. He has had enough time to overcome those ghosts in the pocket that were haunting him and the pressure to immediately perform better that was weighing on his shoulders. The constant worry of being out of work if he threw another interception was too much to handle, understandably. Now I think he has found peace as a backup QB in Baltimore. Harbaugh is said to be very close with Schaub and he believes in him and his ability which is very important for Schaub to be able to look to his coach for confidence, at least for tonight. Another point I found interesting is that Schaub has been playing with a lot of the offensive lineman and wide recievers all year as a bunch of them are backups as well, so the rapport with his teammates is there, and reports say these guys like Schaub a lot and that he is a good lockeroom type of guy. That is also important because I take that as- these guys will give it everything they got tonight in an attempt to help their buddy out. Usually the first game with a new QB, the other players tend to be a little more focused. I think Schaubske will have success with this Tight End duo in Gillmore and the rookie Max Williams. Also, look for rookie RB Buck Allen to sieze the opportunity here and have a big game. Now on the other side of the field we have a similar situation but different components. QB Josh McCown is another solid journeyman QB and was actually the starter for most of the season until he was also injured. In his absence, the high-profile and media dream young backup QB that is Johnny Manziel took over. Manziel showed enough signs of improvement to win the job moving forward in order for the Browns organization to see what he's made of and to help decide if they have to continue their search for a franchise QB or not. This was all fine and dandy until 'ol Jonny Be Good failed to do just that during the bye week and was caught "turnin' up" as the kids say nowadays in his stomping grounds of Texas A&M where he is still a God. Video surfaced and the media had a field day exposing this which was very negative publicity for both Manziel and the Browns and as a result it was back to the bench for Johnny Boy. That being said, McCown is back as the starter and he also seemed very dissapointed in Manziel's choices and almost like he wasn't happy to be named the starter again. McCown is older and although able to play tonight, is still not 100%. I just feel as though the mojo and vibes surrounding the Cleveland Browns organization is on a downard spiral and that the players don't know what to think at this point. I have also read that tickets for the game tonight are going for as much as a pre-season game as the fans seemed to be checked-out of this one once the MNF Manziel show was cancelled and the Replacement Ravens coming to town. This whole thing has been a big time buzzkill for Cleveland. So basically what I am trying to say here is, I think the Ravens will be more motivated in this one and hungry to get a win as they hold themselves accountable to a higher standard and for the Browns, it is the same old story. I can see Johnny Football getting the job back next week due to another loss here and the season being completely over. Taking Harbaugh to out coach Pettine here and the Black Birds to be on point tonight. RAVENS +4.5