To make sure this pitiful season comes to an end, that’s why I’m watching. Cleveland travels to Baltimore on Saturday for a 4:25pm EST game at M & T Bank Stadium. Last week the Ravens (11-5) beat the Texans 31-2, and the Browns lost to the Dolphins 20-3. Baltimore needs a win to clinch the AFC North and the number three seed for the NFL playoffs. They are a 19.5-point favorite.

Browns Offense (or lack thereof) vs. Ravens Defense

Cleveland is ranked 27th in total offense (305.3 yards per game), 20th in passing offense (208.3 yards per game), 28th in rushing offense (97.0 yards per game) and 32nd in scoring offense (15.5 points per game). Baltimore is ranked 14th in total defense (330.1 yards per game), 30th in passing defense (248.5 yads per game), first in rushing defense (81.6 yards per game) and 13th in scoring defense (21.9 points per game). The Browns will start either Dorian Thompson-Robinson or Bailey Zappe at quarterback. Head coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t rule out playing both. Frankley, it really doesn’t matter, Cleveland has scored a total of thirteen points in the last three games and hasn’t scored a touchdown since week fourteen. The Browns will try and run the football but go up against the number one rush defense in the league. When passing, Cleveland will have a hard time protecting either QB, last week against the Texans, the Ravens had five sacks. I expect Baltimore to hit the point spread by the end of the first quarter or shortly afterward. Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy needs six catches to break the franchise record for receptions set in 2006 by Ozzie Newsome (89).

Browns Defense vs. Ravens Offense

Cleveland is ranked 17th in total defense (336.2 yards per game), 13th in passing defense (212.1 yards per game), 19th in rushing defense (124.1 yards per game) and 24th in scoring defense (25 points per game). Baltimore is ranked first in total offense (424.2 yards per game), 6th in passing offense (238.6 yards per game), second in rushing offense (185.6 yards per game) and third in scoring offense (30.2 points per game). Baltimore has scored 30+ points in three straight games and tight end Mark Andrews has scored a touchdown in five straight games. The Ravens offense is hitting on all cylinders at the right time of the season. The Browns defense is anchored by their defense line with Myles Garrett, who with two more sacks can tie the team’s single season sack record of 16 which he set in 2021 and 2022. I’m interested in watching the improvement of defensive end Isaiah McGuire and defensive tackle Jovon Briggs. Both have played themselves on to the 2025 53-man roster. As for the Cleveland secondary, last week against Miami they allowed quarterback Tyler Huntley to have a QBR of 115.5, a first for Huntley. In the past the Browns have played Raven’s quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry well. I just can’t see it for this game.