Browns left tackle Joe Thomas can’t think of anyone he’d rather spend Christmas Eve with than Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs.

Suggs always gives Thomas his best battles of the season, and Thomas considers him one of the best — if not the best — outside linebacker in the NFL.

“We’ve got to make sure it’s not the Terrell Suggs show,” Thomas said. “He’s going to make his tackles, he’s going to get a sack every now and then, but you’ve got to do whatever you can, whether it’s doubles, chips, run-action, play-action, you’ve got to make it a tough day — otherwise he’s going to make it tough on you.”

In the first meeting Dec. 4, a 24-10 Ravens win, Suggs had four tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and a pass broken up.

“I think we did a pretty decent job, but he’s a guy that you don’t really shut out in a game,” said Thomas, a four-time Pro Bowler. “You just try to minimize his impact because he’s such a good player that he’s going to get his plays. You’ve just got to make sure that he doesn’t take over the game. That’s kind of the key with him.”

Suggs has 13 sacks this season, tied for fifth in the NFL and tied for third in Ravens history. It tops his previous career high of 12 in 2003. His 13 career sacks against the Browns in 17 games are his second most against any team. His seven forced fumbles against Cleveland are his tops against any team.

“He’s right up at the top of the class, there’s no question,” Thomas said. “He’s such a disruptive force — run and pass. . . . That’s why he fits so well with the Ravens because they like those guys that are kind of the jack of all trades.”

– Mary Kay Cabot

When the Cleveland Browns take on the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, December 24, 2011, they will be doing it with Seneca Wallace at quarterback. There is a good chance he will play the role of QB in the final game against the Pittsburgh Steelers the following week as well.

Colt McCoy is still out because of the concussion he sustained due to the head on collision courtesy of James Harrison. He is still having recurring symptoms from this injury and until he is fully recovered from this injury, it is simply not safe for him – or the other players – for him to be out on the field. McCoy will not travel with the Browns either. He will stay home and rest and focus on recovering.

Since Wallace is going to be taking over the role of quarterback for the remainder of the season, he has to start acting like a starting quarterback. According to his teammates. He is falling into the role well.

“I think he’s more vocal in the locker room and on the field,” said Joe Thomas, a left tackle for the Browns. “When you’re the starter, you’re the coach on the field, not only calling plays but getting everybody lined up correctly, making sure the formation’s are correct, the personnel is right. You’re kind of the designated rah-rah guy. When things are going south, you’re the guy that needs to stand up and get everybody in a positive direction.”

Wallace has acknowledged that he is just the backup quarterback and that he is afraid to overstep his boundaries. However, he needs to lose this mentality as it could hold him back. He is not the backup at this moment. He is the starter for the remainder of the season and he needs to think like a starter. He has played in nine NFL seasons and has earned his time on the field.

In the Arizona game, Wallace showed that he has what it takes to make plays. He definitely gave the Browns some new energy. The only thing the Browns need to work on right now is keeping that energy throughout the entire game because that energy definitely faded by the end of the third quarter. If Wallace can keep throwing good passes and keep his men energized, the Browns just might have a chance to defeat the Ravens.

R. Elizabeth C. Kitchen is a lifelong Browns fan who grew up in a household of Browns’ fans. She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and still lives there. Regardless of the trials and tribulations the Browns have been through, she remains loyal, albeit honest about her home team. Follow Rose on Twitter @Rose_Kitchen

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Anquan Boldin will miss the final two National Football League
regular-season games after surgery to repair a slight tear in
his knee cartilage, coach John Harbaugh said.

“He will be back for the playoffs, whichever round we have
to play in,” Harbaugh said yesterday after Boldin’s procedure.
“It will be a little tighter if we have to play in the first
round.”

The Ravens (10-4) have clinched a playoff spot and are tied
with the Pittsburgh Steelers atop the American Football
Conference North division heading into this weekend’s games. If
they finish the season with the second-best record in the AFC,
they will get a first-round playoff bye.

Boldin, the team’s leading wide receiver with 887 yards on
57 catches, will be replaced by rookie Torrey Smith and veteran
Lee Evans for the Ravens’ games against Cleveland and
Cincinnati. They will be the first games Boldin has missed in
two years with the team.

“We’ve got two tight ends that are really good, so we’re
going to go out there and still attack and do everything we know
how to do,” quarterback Joe Flacco said. “Obviously, we’re
going to miss Anquan, but it’s an opportunity for him to get
better and hopefully he’ll come back strong.”

To contact the reporter on this story:
Nancy Kercheval in Washington at
nkercheval@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Michael Sillup at
msillup@bloomberg.net

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Ravens fans are hoping for a win this Christmas Eve. But what does the holiday mean for the coaches and players?

Jessica Kartalija finds the Christmas spirit is alive and well.

This holiday season, the Ravens say playing in the NFL is a gift in itself.

“Too many guys can’t be a NFL player, so you’ve got to feel blessed,” Pernell McPhee, defensive lineman.

The team says Christmas is time spent with their biggest fans.

“It’s a very important time to spend with family and friends and to give back, most importantly to people who are less fortunate,” said Michael Oher.

“It’s about family, you get gifts, and you really want people to show expression of love for everybody,” said Chris Carr.

“Christmas to me means the celebration of the birth of our lord and savior, Jesus Christ.  That’s what it means. No greater celebration than that,” said Coach John Harbaugh.

Memories of Christmas past are kicking in for punter Sam Koch.

“We used to—on Christmas Eve–go to my grandma’s, and it was a way to get the family together and see each other,” said Koch said.

“When I think of Christmas, I think of a time to be around family, and relax and yeah, think about how fortunate we are and try and help other people out there who might not be in the same situation we are,” said Joe Flacco.

For Matt Birk, his kids are the center of attention.

“Now, with six young kids at home, there’s nothing like Christmas morning,” Birk said.

Ravens rookie Torrey Smith is looking forward to starting a new holiday tradition.

“It’s a time to realize how thankful you are for everything from family, to football to life in general.  I’m excited, and it’s the first time I’m on my own and my family is coming to Baltimore to celebrate it with me,” Smith said.

Every player we spoke with expressed their appreciation of being in the NFL, saying it’s their responsibility to help others less fortunate.