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Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns
Sunday, 1 p.m., EDT, CBS
Current NFL Odds: Ravens favored by 9 points.
Against the spread: Baltimore stands at 4-2-1; Cleveland at 2-5.
Series record: Ravens lead 36-14.
Last encounter: Browns edged Ravens 33-31 on Nov. 12, 2023.
Last week’s outcomes: Ravens triumphed over Buccaneers 41-31; Browns fell to Bengals 21-14.
Ravens Offense and Defense Overview
The Ravens are dominating offensively, ranking 1st in overall performance, rushing, and scoring, alongside a 6th position in passing. However, their defensive stats are contrastingly lower, claiming 23rd overall, while excelling against the run (1st) but struggling in pass defense (32nd) and scoring (26th).
Browns Offense and Defense Overview
Conversely, the Browns are facing significant challenges, coming in last overall, in passing, and scoring, while placing 28th in rushing. Their defense, while better ranked at 13th overall, is fairly uneven with 15th against the run and 11th in pass efficiency.
Player Spotlight: Ravens
A key player for the Ravens is running back Derrick Henry, who has significantly made an impact in his first season with the team. Leading the league with 873 rushing yards, 8 touchdowns, and a stellar 6.5 yards per carry, Henry recently showcased his abilities with a remarkable 169-yard game highlighted by an 81-yard run. He has consistently made explosive plays with runs of 25 or longer in each of his last six games.
Player Spotlight: Browns
For the Browns, quarterback Jameis Winston steps in as the team grapples with the aftermath of Deshaun Watson’s season-ending Achilles injury. Having started 80 games before, this marks Winston’s return as a starter since 2022, and his experience will be vital for a Browns squad looking to stabilize an erratic season.
Key Matchup
A pivotal matchup to watch will be between Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Browns’ defensive front seven. Jackson, who is once again threatening MVP accolades, leads an offense averaging 31.1 points and 461 yards per game. For the Browns, managing to contain Jackson will be critical to their success, as he has a unique ability to evade pressure and convert potential losses into big plays.
Injury Report
On the Ravens’ side, cornerback Marlon Humphrey (knee), a notable asset with four interceptions, is currently nursing an injury, and his practice time was limited this week. Additionally, fellow corner Nate Wiggins (shoulder) also faced absences. The Browns, meanwhile, are dealing with a slew of injuries, including Watson’s absence that has cast uncertainty over his future with the organization. Key players such as center Ethan Pocic (knee), left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee), and linebacker Jordan Hicks (elbow/triceps) were also sidelined, while guard Wyatt Teller (knee) is likely to return after missing several games.
Series Insights
These two franchises, with deep-rooted history, meet for the first time this season. The move of the franchise from Cleveland to Baltimore back in 1995 remains a sensitive topic for many Cleveland supporters. The Ravens have showcased superiority in recent matchups, claiming 11 consecutive wins and 18 out of the last 20 games from 2008 to 2017, yet Cleveland has prevailed in two of the last three meetings, the latest being an exciting comeback in which Watson executed a flawless performance leading to a game-winning field goal.
Interesting Statistics
The Ravens are currently on a five-game winning streak. Jackson recently achieved a personal milestone by throwing five touchdown passes against Tampa Bay, solidifying his reputation with a league-leading passer rating of 118.0. Notably, Jackson has amassed 15 touchdown passes alongside just two interceptions this season. Baltimore’s offensive performance has been formidable, with impressive stats including over 450 yards in each of their four road games and the potential to maintain an incredible rushing record. Derrick Henry, despite being a powerhouse, has had prior difficulties against the Browns. Meanwhile, the Ravens’ efficiency in converting red zone opportunities stands at an impressive 75.9% of the time. Meanwhile, the Browns have struggled, being the only team not to exceed 20 points in any game this season. New strategies might emerge as coach Kevin Stefanski hands over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey in a bid to revitalize their downtrodden offensive unit.
Fantasy Outlook
For fantasy enthusiasts, Ravens tight end Mark Andrews tends to excel against the Browns, boasting impressive career stats when facing this team—recording 50 catches for 665 yards and 9 touchdowns over 12 matchups.
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