In week 16, the Baltimore Ravens get a chance to avenge one of their two losses this season (arguably the worse of those two). Way back in week 4, Baltimore was all but humiliated in front of their hometown fans against what looked like a far superior Browns team.
How times have changed. Since that loss, the Ravens have regrouped, found their footing, won 10 straight games, clinched a playoff spot, successfully defended their AFC North crown, and are now one victory away from locking up home-field advantage in the playoffs.
The Browns on the other hand . . . are still the Browns; the perennial disappointment, who sit one loss away from their twelfth consecutive losing season and another early elimination from playoff contention (fun fact: the Browns have only had two winning seasons this century).
Unless they win this week.
Let’s take a quick look at all the reasons Baltimore won’t let that happen in week 16.
The Ravens’ Defense
What was Baltimore’s Achilles heel in the last meeting has become nearly a perfect counterpoint to this seasons’ electric offense. The additions of linebackers L.J. Fort and Josh Bynes, coupled with the acquisition of cornerback Marcus Peters, has completely turned around a defensive unit that looked like a catastrophe in Week 4. Not only have they catapulted themselves from 27th to 6th in terms of overall defense, but they have scored five touchdowns during their winning streak while generating more turnovers (18) than opponent touchdowns (15).
Sure, the Ravens’ offense has been putting up a record number of points, but their defense can wear down anyone and the Browns offense just doesn’t seem to match up.
Lamar Jackson
As the frontrunner for MVP, Jackson has proven to be one of, if not the hardest player to prepare for this season. Even the best defensive players and minds struggle to account for his speed on the ground, and improving-by-the-game accuracy through the air.
Better teams have tried (and failed) to shut down Jackson but there seems to be no stopping his dual-threat abilities. Ironically, the Browns’ defense put up one of the best efforts this season, limiting the second-year star to only 66 yards rushing (on the lower end of his performances) and forcing two interceptions in their prior meeting.
Jackson was still able to throw three touchdowns in a vain comeback attempt but with the Ravens offense firing on all cylinders recently, plus the help of a more stingy defense, the Browns will likely have a much more difficult task keeping pace this time around.
Baker Mayfield
In what was expected to be his breakout season, Mayfield has had a somewhat rollercoaster ride of a season. One of his best games this season actually came in Week 4, where he posted a 102.4 passer rating against a much different Ravens defense than the one he will face on Sunday.
What really stands out is his interceptions match his touchdowns (17) and that should light up the eyes of what has become a powerful Ravens’ secondary. Mayfield has thrown at least one interception in the past four games and that notion alone should have the likes of Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters salivating at the chance to take the field against him.
Browns’ injuries and morale
The Browns currently have two of their best players dealing with lingering injuries — DT Sheldon Richardson and DE Olivier Vernon — two players who should prove critical to Cleveland’s efforts in containing the Lamar Jackson and Baltimore’s rushing attack. While no players are ruled out for the game, not having some of their best defensive players at 100% certainly won’t improve the Browns’ chances on Sunday.
On top of those injuries, Clevelands’ morale just doesn’t seem to be in great shape right now. Leading the disfunction is talk that players were actively asking opponents to “get them out” of Cleveland.
When you pair a team that doesn’t seem to have any heart left against one that overwhelmingly does in the Ravens, you get some solid starting ingredients that help any recipe for a one-sided victory.
History
Baltimore leads the overall series 30-11, having been the better team on the field for these matchups throughout most of the Ravens’ existence. Yes, the old adage stipulates that divisional games are never “givens” because the competing teams generally know each other so well. But in the Ravens vs. Browns rivalry, Baltimore has been the clear dominant force, a result of better players, better coaching, and an overall sense of what it means to be a winning franchise.
Something that is unlikely to change on Sunday… or in the foreseeable future.
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