Offense

1) Mixing up the runs: In the first game against Cleveland, the Ravens did a nice job of managing a balanced rushing attack. They bounced plays off tackle to get the defenders chasing, and by the fourth quarter, they drilled the Browns up the middle.

In the rematch, the same type of strategy could work. The Ravens will need to use all three of their backs, and keep the Browns guessing, in terms of whether the ball will go off tackle or up the middle. Primarily, the offense should try to avoid running the ball at nose tackle Shaun Rogers, who occupies so much space in the middle of the line.

Pitches, tosses and counters would work on the edges.

2) Three wide looks: While the loss of wideout Demetrius Williams hurts the Ravens’ vertical game, his replacement, Terrance Copper, is a consummate slot guy who can work the middle of the field.

Aside from Derrick Mason, the Ravens have not had a wideout who has a presence on inside routes like slants, crosses and square-ins. Copper should be able to handle operating inside, which could free up everyone else on the perimeter. He is a better route runner and a more physical player than Demetrius Williams.

The key to using Copper as the third wideout is to establish more spread looks to create matchups problems for the Ravens to exploit. On first down, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has to spread the Browns out and force the Cleveland backers to drop into coverage.

The Ravens have been at their best when they have passed the ball on first down for modest gains to set up manageable conversion situations on second and third down. If they can use the three-wide, one tight look successfully, quarterback Joe Flacco will have an easier time running the offense on Sunday.

3) The Suggs Package: While one should not expect to see the Ravens’ version of the Wildcat run as often as it was against Oakland, it will be in play against Cleveland.

The best time to run these packages (with Troy Smith as the option quarterback) is on first and second down to gain four yards or more, setting up opportunities to keep the chains moving.

Against an aggressive defense, like that of Cleveland’s, it can be a feast or famine outcome. If the defenders over pursue and don’t maintain gap integrity, the offense could spring a play loose. If the defense stays true, the offense will gain nothing.

The Ravens still have to win the field position battle so they cannot take unnecessary risks in losing yardage on these options plays. The best bet for success would be to use the option when the team is on the other side of the 50, moving toward the end zone and as part of the goal line offense.

Defense

1) Bracket Edwards: With corners Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle likely to miss time on Sunday, the Ravens will once again be short-handed in the secondary. As a result, defensive coordinator Rex Ryan will need to run his coverages more conservatively than he normally does.

What should be a given is double-teaming wideout Braylon Edwards. Edwards simply cannot be allowed to line up one-on-one against any of the corners that man him up.

The corners will need to stick him at the line and safety Ed Reed should be active in deep support over the top. The goal should be to play a high-low coverage that is so tight that quarterback Derek Anderson is forced to thread the needle in-between a gap in the zone to complete a pass to Edwards. Given Anderson’s accuracy issues, this could prove to be a difficult task.

2) Coverage first: The Browns lacked the depth to properly exploit the Ravens on the back end in September. Now, with the return of Donte Stallworth and Edwards’ resurgence, the Browns have some of their bite back in the passing game.

Conversely, the injury bug has decimated the Ravens on the back end. They are ripe for the taking. The defense should expect to see more spread looks from the Browns, and they need to be ready with their nickel and dime substitutions.

This is going to be a huge test for the secondary. Ryan will need to be creative in his approach of mixing and matching his defensive backs, perhaps using more three safety coverages and having his DBs blitz less overall on third down to protect against the big play.

3) Press Winslow: Tight end Kellen Winslow has been a thorn in Baltimore’s side over the years. He has made plays all over the field against the Ravens, and he has especially burned the defense on third down.

Winslow has yet to produce big this season but given his recent off-the-field drama with the Cleveland front office, he may have a chip on his shoulder and added motivation when he takes the field against Baltimore.

While the Ravens will need to do everything they can to prevent Edwards from making big plays over-the-top, Winslow will need to be contained in the middle of the field, specifically on posts and crossers.

It will be difficult for the backers and the safeties to contain Winslow once he gets a free release. He is simply too fast and fluid for any of the Baltimore defenders to keep pace with.

To slow Winslow down, the backers and lineman should tag him at the line before he releases into his route. Winslow should be forced to fight through bump coverage.