By Scott Schroeder

– Newsdesk contributor

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Dec 1, 2011 – The Cleveland Browns will play the Baltimore Ravens this weekend as they continue to become a bit more healthy each week following a rash of injuries. The biggest key for the Browns, according to head coach Pat Shurmur, might be the play of Peyton Hillis.

Hillis has missed numerous games due to injury this season, but seems to be fully healthy this week as the Browns prepare for a tough Ravens defense.

Shurmur wouldn’t really get into how Hillis played last year against Baltimore — he ran for 144 yards in the first game, but followed it up with just 35 yards in the second game — but he alluded to it when talking about what to expect this weekend.

Shurmur: “I think in the first game Peyton had a couple of long runs, that kind of adds up the yardage total and he had a terrific game. They came back the second game and he didn’t have quite as much success running the football. There are reasons why and I’ll kind of keep those private, but it had nothing to do with how hard he was running or what the Browns were trying to do. I thought the Ravens probably executed a little better.”

Shurmur said that having Hillis back this week during practice should also help his preparation, maybe even moreso than it does the team itself, as they prepare for the Ravens.

“I think it gives him an edge because of his preparation. He came into this week kind of knowing he was involved, not that he didn’t prepare last week, but there’s that getting my body right and ready phase that he’s still working on of course, but it probably helps him with the details of his preparation. Anytime the guys can all work together for a longer period of time, which is throughout the week, I think it helps you. It at least gives you the best chance to be efficient on Sunday.”

It should make for a good game, but as Shurmur alluded to during most of his Thursday press conference, Hillis will play a big part.

Read More: Peyton Hillis (RB – CLE), Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns

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Read More: Chauncey Davis (DE – ATL), Sam Koch (P – BAL), James Sanders (SS – NEP), Kelvin Hayden (DB – ATL), David Reed (WR – BAL), Kamaal McIlwain (CB – ATL), Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons, Sep 1, 2011 7:30 PM EDT

The Atlanta Falcons will play their final preseason game of the year on Thursday night when they play host to the Baltimore Ravens in what Jason Kirk describes as the NFL’s most curious rivalry. The TV schedule, game time and everything else is posted below, but first, a short preview from our friends around SB Nation.

Dave Choate of the Falcoholic, SB Nation’s Atlanta Falcons blog, wrote on Wednesday night how the signing of James Sanders and Kelvin Hayden might change how the front office looks at the team’s defensive backfield on Thursday night. 

What happens next, considering the Falcons have to cut down to 80 players? Chris Owens could get the boot, or an undrafted free agent type like Kamaal McIlwain. Chauncey Davis and his fancy salary could be looking for work, too, if the Falcons want a little more cap breathing room.

That’s all for the next day or two to determine. What is clear is that the Falcons just got better, without a clear downside. That’s the kind of thing every Falcons fan, even the ones in lead-lined bunkers, can get behind.  

Over at Baltimore Beatdown, SB Nation’s Baltimore Ravens blog, Bruce Raffel broke down a few of the players to watch when not focusing on the Falcons’ high-octane offense.

“WR David Reed was a fifth round draft pick last year who couldn’t stay healthy and only recently returned to the practice field this week. However, he is already ahead of the rookie WR’s and proved he can be a solid kick returner as he returned one for a TD last season.  The other guy is punter Sam Koch, who is a linebacker in a punter’s body and booms kicks far and can touch them down near the goal line almost on command, which is a very under rated skill.”

Now, to the game information!

Game Date/Time: Thursday, September 1 at 7 p.m.

Location: Georgia Dome

TV Schedule: CBS – WGCL 46; NFL Network re-air on Saturday at 1 p.m.

TV Distribution Map: The506.com

Radio Schedule: 790 The Zone and Star 94

For more, head to The Falcoholic and Baltimore Beatdown.

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