CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The 2021 season hasn’t lived up to expectation for the Browns to date, but they can change the narrative with a win Sunday night in Baltimore.
The Ravens are perched atop the AFC North at 7-3 while Cleveland is 1 ½ games back and in last place at 6-5.
The Browns, who have been outscored in 3 of 4 quarters this season, carry a -7 point differential into the game while the Ravens boast a +17 while outscoring the opposition in 3 of 5 periods, including overtime.
Baltimore, led by former NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, has dominated the series winning the last three meetings, 8 of 10 and 22 of 26 under head coach John Harbaugh.
What to watch for – If this game comes down to the fourth quarter, advantage Ravens. Baltimore is outscoring the opposition 94-79 in the fourth and overtime this season. Meanwhile the Browns have been destroyed by opponents in the final 15 minutes 89-52. The North leaders are 5-1 in games decided by a score or less, including 2-1 in overtime, while Cleveland, who has yet to play an overtime this season, is 3-3.
The quarterbacks take center stage as Jackson and Baker Mayfield square off. Jackson, who is 36-10 in the regular season as the Ravens starter, is completing 64.45 of his passes for 2,447 yards with 14 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He’s been sacked 28 times but run for a team-best 639 yards and 2 TDs. Mayfield, continues to play through a torn labrum in his left shoulder plus multiple injuries to his lower body, has put up underwhelming numbers in 2021 with a 64.0 completion percentage while throwing for 2,166 yards with just 10 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Mayfield has been sacked 27 times this season as his mobility has suffered in recent weeks due to injury.
Kareem Hunt, the Browns No. 2 back behind Pro Bowler Nick Chubb, returns from spending five weeks on injured reserve due to a calf strain. The Browns are hopeful Hunt, who is second on the team with 5 touchdowns and averaging over 5 yards per carry, will be able to provide a spark to an anemic offense that has scored 17 or fewer points in 6 of their last 8 games.
The Browns’ offensive line back to full strength with the return of right tackle Jack Conklin. Conklin spent three weeks on injured reserve after suffering a dislocated left elbow in a 15-10 loss to the Steelers on October 31. Cleveland’s line has enabled the Browns to lead the NFL in rushing this season with nearly 157 yards on the ground per game.
Ravens tight end Mark Andrews has more catches (56) than the top two leading receivers for the Browns combined – Austin Hooper (28) and Jarvis Landry (27) – this season.
The big play could decide this one. The Browns offense has 45 explosive plays of 20 or more yards (13 rush, 32 pass) this season while the defense has allowed 43 of them (6 rush, 37 pass). Baltimore has 48 explosive plays (8 rush, 40 pass) but allowed 54 of them (7 rush, 47 pass) with 19 going for touchdowns.
Last week – Browns beat the Lions 13-10, Ravens beat the Bears 16-13
Last Time – December 14, 2020: Ravens 47, Browns 42
Series – Ravens lead 33-11
Rankings – Points: Browns 19 (22.2), Ravens 15 (24.7)
Yards: Browns 12 (362.5), Ravens 3 (402.6)
Rushing: Browns 1 (156.8), Ravens 3 (151.0)
Passing: Browns 25 (205.6), Ravens 11 (251.6)
Points allowed: Browns 17 (22.8), Ravens 18 (23.0)
Yards allowed: Browns 4 (316.7), Ravens 25 (369.7)
Rushing yards allowed: Browns 7 (101.4), Ravens 2 (88.6)
Passing yards allowed: Browns 8 (215.4), Ravens 31 (281.1)
Turnover ratio: Browns T-18 (-1), Ravens T-27 (-5)
Projected starters for Browns – Offense: WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, LT Jedrick Wills Jr., LG Joel Bitonio, C JC Tretter, RG Wyatt Teller, RT Jack Conklin, TE Austin Hooper, WR Jarvis Landry, QB Baker Mayfield, RB Nick Chubb, FB Andy Janovich
Defense: DE Myles Garrett, DT Malik Jackson, DT Malik McDowell, DE Jadeveon Clowney, WILL Mack Wilson, MIKE Anthony Walker, SAM Sione Takitaki, CB Greg Newsome II, CB Denzel Ward, SS Ronnie Harrison Jr., FS John Johnson III
Injury report – OUT: WR Anthony Schwartz (concussion); QUESTONABLE: WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (groin), CB Troy Hill (neck), RT Jack Conklin (elbow), RB Kareem Hunt (calf); EXPECTED TO PLAY: C J.C. Tretter (knee), DE Jadeveon Clowney (neck, wrist, knee), DT Malik Jackson (knee), WR Jarvis Landry (knee), LB Sione Takitaki (shoulder), QB Baker Mayfield (left shoulder, groin, foot), CB A.J. Green (concussion), DT Malik McDowell, DE Takkarist McKinley (groin), LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (ankle), LB Tony Fields (illness)
Uniforms – 1946 commemorative throwbacks: white jerseys, white pants, white stripe with brown numerals on helmets
Broadcast – Radio: 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the University Hospitals Cleveland Browns radio network. TV: WKYC TV-3 (NBC)
Kickoff – 8:20 p.m. M&T Bank Stadium – Baltimore, Maryland
Prediction – Ravens 38, Browns 24
Our record – 7-4
