CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns return from their bye week to host the Ravens in the second meeting between the teams in three weeks with their season on the line.
Baker Mayfield calls it “crunch time.” Myles Garrett said it’s “win or go home.”
A win and the Browns not only remain in the thick of the AFC Wild card picture, but they could creep into the AFC North contention as well. A loss and turn out the lights, the party is over. Vacation begins January 10. See you at the draft in Vegas.
Over the last nine games the Browns have scored 17 or fewer points seven times and six of those times it’s been 14 or fewer points. Meanwhile the defense has allowed 16 or fewer in seven of the last 10 outings.
Kevin Stefanski is 0-3 against John Harbaugh, who is now 23-4 all-time against the Browns, tying him with Mike Tomlin for the second-most victories by an opposing head coach over Cleveland since 1950 behind only Chuck Knoll (25).
What to watch for – The message coming out of the bye week concerning quarterback Baker Mayfield is simple – he’s healthy enough to win games and is expected to do so. Mayfield’s fourth season has been underwhelming to date, partially due to injuries, and the passing game has failed to produce the dynamic attack that was expected coming into the season. Baltimore lost cornerback` Marlon Humphry for the season and their secondary is battered and bruised. Can Mayfield capitalize?
The Browns dynamic running duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt were held to just 36 combined yards on 15 carries two weeks ago. Getting both rolling must be atop the priority list in Stefanski’s gameplan Sunday regardless of how much the Ravens stack the box.
Stefanski will have to account for the absence of tight ends David Njoku (reserve/COVID-19) and Harrison Bryant (high ankle sprain). Njoku leads the Browns in yards receiving (407) and he scored Cleveland's only touchdown in the Week 12 16-10 loss.
Defensive end Myles Garrett indicated the Browns didn’t practice with the level of focus and attention to detail he had hoped for this week. Sunday will show if Garrett was simply trying to light a fire under his teammates or if he was offering a warning. Garrett has fallen two sacks behind T.J. Watt of the Steelers for the league lead after being on top sacker for most of the season.
It is the season of giving and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been celebrating in his own way. Jackson has thrown eight interceptions over his last four games – four picks alone against the Browns November 28 in Baltimore, a game the Ravens still managed to win because Cleveland’s inept offense managed just 3 points off those turnovers. While the Browns managed to hold him to just 4 yards per carry in the first meeting, Jackson remains electric with his feet and his arm.
After containing Jackson, slowing down his top two targets – Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews is next on the Browns’ defensive to-do list. Brown and Jackson have 65 and 64 catches for 825 and 811 yards respectively this season – double the production from Cleveland’s top two receivers combined.
Last week – Ravens lost to the Steelers 20-19; Browns had a bye
Last Time – November 28, 2021: Ravens 16, Browns 10
Series – Ravens lead all-time 34-11
Rankings – Points: Ravens 16 (23.5), Browns 19 (21.2)
Yards: Ravens 4 (387.9), Browns 17 (354.1)
Rushing: Ravens T-3 (147.1), Browns T-3 (147.1)
Passing: Ravens 13 (240.8), Browns 24 (207.0)
Points allowed: Ravens 9 (21.7), Browns T-13 (22.3)
Yards allowed: Ravens 20 (256.7), Browns 4 (315.6)
Rushing yards allowed: Ravens T-1 (84.3), Browns 11 (105.3)
Passing yards allowed: Ravens 31 (272.4), Browns 8 (210.3)
Turnover ratio: Ravens T-29 (-8), Browns T-12 (+1)
Projected starters for Browns – Offense: WR Jarvis Landry, LT Jedrick Wills Jr., LG Joel Bitonio, C JC Tretter, RG Wyatt Teller, RT James Hudson III, TE Austin Hooper, WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, QB Baker Mayfield, RB Nick Chubb, FB Andy Janovich
Defense: DE Myles Garrett, DT Malik Jackson, DT Malik McDowell, DE Jadeveon Clowney, SAM Sione Takitaki, MIKE Malcolm Smith, WILL Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, CB Denzel Ward, CB Greedy Williams, SS Ronnie Harrison Jr., FS John Johnson III
Injury report – OUT: CB Greg Newsome II (concussion), WR Anthony Schwartz (concussion), TE Harrison Bryant (ankle); OUESTIONABLE: DT Jordan Elliott (knee), S Ronnie Harrison (ankle), DT Malik Jackson (knee); EXPECTED TO PLAY: WR Jarvis Landry (knee), C J.C. Tretter (knee), QB Baker Mayfield (foot, left shoulder), LB Sione Takitaki (shoulder)
Uniforms – Brown jerseys, white pants
Broadcast – Radio: 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the University Hospitals Cleveland Browns radio network. TV: WOIO-TV 19 (CBS)
Kickoff – 1:05 p.m. FirstEnergy Stadium – Cleveland, Ohio
Prediction – Ravens 22, Browns 19
Our record – 8-4
