It’s the most important game of the season for the Baltimore Ravens. In Week 16 against the Cleveland Browns, the Ravens can clinch the No. 1 seed, which will come with a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
As a rematch of Week 4 — the last loss Baltimore had this season — it’s not going to be an automatic win. But the writers here at Ravens Wire believes Baltimore will still do plenty of big and bold things this week.
Take a look at our bold predictions for Week 16 when the Ravens take on the Browns.
Matthew Stevens:
The Ravens lose
This is all about bold predictions and what’s more bold for a team that has destroyed quality opponents than losing to a 6-8 team? But there’s a real reason to be concerned about this week, even if losing is considered shocking to some.
As we saw in Week 4, Cleveland has the defensive talent to limit Baltimore’s offense a little bit. And if the Browns can get out of their own way, their offense could arguably be one of the best in the league with deep talent at all the skill positions. They have all the right parts to deal the Ravens their first loss in 11 weeks but it’ll take Cleveland playing angry, physical and efficient football for all 60 minutes — something they haven’t done very often this season.
Alex Bente:
The Ravens’ defense picks off Baker Mayfield 4 times
Much has changed since the last time these two teams met earlier in the season. Eager to avenge their loss, Baltimore will come our hungrier than ever, especially with playoff home-field advantage so close you can taste it. The Ravens’ defense, which made Mayfield look like an all-pro in their last meeting, turns up the heat this game and intercepts four passes as the Browns are forced to throw a lot, playing from behind the entire game.
Neil Dutton:
Ravens hold Nick Chubb to less than 20 rushing yards
Nick Chubb has been nothing short of sensational in 2019, averaging more than 100 rushing yards per game as he leads the league in this category. But he will not be able to replicate the success he had in Week 4 when he took the Ravens for 165 yards and three scores. The drama surrounding the Browns, plus an aggressive Ravens front, will smother Chubb time and time again, leading to his worst rushing output of the season.
Joe Serpico:
Hayden Hurst has his first 100-yard receiving game
It’s honestly crazy that his 73-yard performance two weeks ago against the Bills was the best of his career. His career high prior to then was 43 yards. That just so happened to be Week 17 against the Browns last season. The Ravens’ 2018 first-round duo connects for a big play this week and Hurst finally goes over the century mark.
Kevin Oestreicher:
The Ravens sack Baker Mayfield six times
No Sizzle, no problem for this Ravens defensive front that’s finding it’s stride at the right time. While sometimes having difficulty generating pressure while rushing four, I think Don Martindale knows how to get the best production out of his front while keeping the opposing quarterback flustered. The Browns offensive line has some good pieces but hasn’t been consistent all year, so I expect exotic blitzes from the Ravens en route to sacking Mayfield six times, which also happens to be the number on his jersey.
