The final clash of the regular season in the AFC North showcases two traditional rivals, as the Cleveland Browns make their way to Baltimore to face the Ravens this Saturday afternoon. Cleveland enters this matchup after suffering a 20-3 defeat at home against Miami, unable to meet expectations as a 3.5-point underdog. Meanwhile, Baltimore is riding high after a commanding 31-2 victory over Houston on Christmas Day, successfully covering the spread as a 6.5-point favorite. Historically, the Ravens lead the all-time regular season series 36-15, but the Browns have claimed victory in three of their last four encounters, including a 29-24 win when they first met this season on October 27, 2024.
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Who will emerge victorious in this intense rivalry? Discover insights about the Browns vs. Ravens prediction!
Cleveland Aiming to Derail Baltimore’s Title Hopes
Cleveland’s recent struggles continued as they suffered a fifth consecutive loss, failing to find their rhythm against the Dolphins. With a disappointing record of 3-13, they sit at the bottom of the AFC North and have been eliminated from playoff contention. In their last outing, the Browns faced challenges moving the ball and converting opportunities, leading to another defeat. They fell behind early, managing to tie the game briefly before being outscored 14-0 in the second half. Although the teams were nearly even in total offense (280-276), Cleveland lost the crucial battle for time of possession and turned the ball over twice without forcing any takeaways.
As they head into Week 18, the Browns rank 20th in passing offense with an average of 208.3 yards per game and 28th in rushing, generating just 97 yards per contest. They struggle significantly in scoring, sitting last in the league with only 15.5 points per game while allowing 25 points on average. Quarterback Deshaun Watson has completed 137 of 216 passes for 1,148 yards this season, throwing five touchdowns and three interceptions. He has also contributed on the ground with 148 rushing yards. Other quarterbacks, such as Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, have also seen time under center. Running back Jerome Ford leads the Browns with 565 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while wide receiver Elijah Moore has 58 receptions for 502 yards and a touchdown this season.
The injury report for Cleveland includes several key players. Cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder) and running backs Ford (ankle) and Pierre Strong (concussion) missed practices this week, along with tight end David Njoku (knee) and linebacker Jordan Hicks (concussion). Defensive end Myles Garrett (thigh) was also absent from practice. Updates on these injuries will be crucial as kickoff approaches.
Ravens Eyeing the AFC North Championship
The Baltimore Ravens are enjoying a three-game winning streak, most recently dismantling the Houston Texans on the road. With an 11-5 record, they find themselves tied with the Steelers for the top spot in the AFC North, needing a win to secure the division title. Against Houston, Baltimore showcased their dominance by scoring early and maintaining control throughout the game, ending with a significant 432-211 advantage in total offense and forcing the only turnover of the match.
This season, the Ravens are ranked 6th in passing offense, averaging 238.6 yards per game, and they excel in rushing, holding the second spot with an impressive 185.6 yards per game. They are also among the top scoring teams, averaging 30.2 points per game, while their defense ranks 13th, allowing 21.9 points. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has been exceptional, completing 300 of 442 passes for 3,955 yards, with 39 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He has also rushed for 852 yards and four touchdowns, making him a dual threat on the field. Running back Derrick Henry leads the charge on the ground, while wide receiver Zay Flowers has made his mark with 73 receptions for 1,047 yards.
Injury concerns for the Ravens are relatively minor, with tackle Patrick Mekari (illness) and running back Justice Hill (concussion) missing practice earlier in the week. Other players like Nnamdi Madubuike (illness) and Ronnie Stanley (illness) were limited in their practice availability. Keeping an eye on these developments will be essential as the game day approaches.
