AFC NORTH Browns have to stop the run to top Ravens

Cleveland's defense is ranked 28th against the run.
BEREA (AP) -- In the AFC's complicated playoff scenarios, Cleveland's playoff chances all hinge on one thing: the Browns must beat the Ravens in Baltimore on Sunday.
And the Browns' defenders know that means they have to stop running back Jamal Lewis.
"First of all, we've got to stop the run so we can worry about the pass," said cornerback Corey Fuller on Wednesday. "That's where all the problem lies, stopping the run."
The problem Fuller refers to is Cleveland's porous run defense.
The Browns are giving up an average of 130 yards rushing per game and their defense is ranked 28th in the NFL against the run.
Best output
In the Ravens' 26-21 victory in Cleveland on Oct. 6, Lewis ran for 187 yards -- his highest total this season -- including a 75-yard gain.
"You've got to stop Jamal Lewis first," Fuller said. "If not, you're going to be faced with where they can do everything they want."
Run or pass, the Browns' defense has struggled at critical times this year.
Last week, Cleveland took a 16-0 halftime lead over the Indianapolis Colts, but quarterback Peyton Manning ran a no-huddle offense in the second half and led the Colts to a 28-23 victory.
On several key plays, Cleveland's defense looked confused. On a fourth-and-3 play in the third quarter, Colts backup running back James Mungrow ran 29 yards almost untouched for a touchdown. With eight minutes remaining, receiver Marvin Harrison broke free over the middle for a 46-yard reception to the Browns' 10-yard line that set up the winning touchdown.
Failed to communicate
Coach Butch Davis and several defensive players said the Browns failed to communicate defensive adjustments to respond to the no-huddle offense.
"We're getting the call late to each other," said linebacker Earl Holmes. "In the no-huddle, we had a chance to make a check or an audible, which we did, but it was late. They ran somebody on, ran somebody off, and we didn't have time to do that. We tried to put ourselves in the best defense we possibly could, and half the guys got it and half the guys didn't."
Davis said, "We got exposed. Our inability to communicate and pass the huddle calls from one side to the other -- we paid for it."
Preparing for Baltimore, Davis said he has focused on the possibility that the Ravens will run a no-huddle offense. "We've got to solve that problem and make sure that doesn't get exposed again," Davis said.
"Everyone is looking at us very critically as a defensive unit," said linebacker Darren Hambrick. "If we could be consistent as a defense, all 11 guys on the same page, in the right fits, doing their job, we'll be a damn good defense."
"There's miscommunication, one guy here, one guy there," Hambrick said. "On certain plays, guys are out of position. We're beating ourselves. It's not what another team is doing to us-- we are our main enemy right now."
Poor excuse
Fuller said miscommunication is a poor excuse for failing to perform.
"It's a lack of study and knowing what you're supposed to do. Because really, you should know the whole defense," Fuller said. "If the same thing keeps happening over and over again, that's a lack of studying. You can't keep laying it all on a lack of communication."
Courtney Brown's season ended Wednesday as the Browns placed their former No. 1 draft pick on injured reserve.
Brown, who has struggled through a season of injuries and ineffective play, was to undergo knee surgery today.