On Saturday January 3rd, at 4:30 pm eastern time, the 3-13 Cleveland Browns will travel to Baltimore Maryland to play the 11-5 Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens are a 17.5-point favorite in this game. The Browns last game was another loss at home to the Miami Dolphins 20-3. The Ravens last game was a win at Houston on Christmas Day over the Texans 31-2. The Ravens are playing for the AFC North Division Championship and the Browns are playing for the number one pick in 2025 NFL Draft.

After the loss to the Dolphins, the Giants and Raiders won last week, the Browns now have the third overall draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. If they lose on Saturday, and that is expected to happen. And if the Titans and Patriots win their respective games. The Browns will then receive the number one overall draft pick in next April’s NFL Draft.  It is likely that the Patriots and Titans can win because their opponents the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans will likely rest their starters for the playoffs. It is hard to believe this, but this scenario could be the silver lining in a horrendous 2024 season.

I fully expect the Browns to lose this game on Saturday. There is not much else to preview for this game. When I attended the last Browns game, fans were wanting the team to tank. I don’t agree with doing that, but at this point and time we might as well do it. As I write this article, the teams head coach and general manager are expected to be retained. If the Cleveland Browns do get the first overall draft pick for next year’s draft. It can be a valuable commodity to trade down, and recoup lost draft picks from the Deshaun Watson deal. Or they could draft the best player available on their board. Could it be a franchise quarterback or blue-chip player for years to come? Why not? Stranger things have happened.