The 11-5 Baltimore Ravens welcome the 3-12 Browns to town for the regular season finale. The Browns defeated the Ravens in their first matchup coming in week eight by a final of 29-24. While this game hold no weight in terms of who will or won’t make the playoffs. The Ravens will look to secure their second straight AFC north division crown and can do so with a win over the Browns. A Ravens win will guarantee them at least one home playoff game in the wildcard round of the playoffs. The Browns on the other hand will look so play spoiler and keep the Ravens from winning the division. Their is a case however in which the Ravens win the AFC north even if they were to lose to the Browns, the Ravens would then need the Steelers to also lose their regular season finale to the Bengals.
The Ravens will be without cornerback Jayln Armour-Davis (hamstring) and running back Justice Hill (concussion/illness). There was some optimism that Hill would return after his scary injury suffered two weeks ago against Pittsburgh. But Hill came down with an undisclosed illness leaving him unable to practice this week. Guard Patrick Mekari (illness) is listed as questionable. Tight end Charlie Kolar (forearm) is also listed as questionable as he looks to play for the first time since breaking his arm on November 25th.
For the Browns defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (knee), defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (knee), tight end Blake Whiteheart (knee), cornerback Cameron Mitchell (knee), and wide receiver Michael Woods II (knee) are all listed as questionable. Quarterback Jameis Winston (shoulder) is also listed as questionable, but signs point to him being the emergency quarterback behind starter Bailey Zappe and backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The Browns will be without running backs Jerome Ford (ankle) and Pierre Strong Jr. (concussion), tight end David Njoku (knee), cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder), and linebacker Jordan Hicks (concussion) as all have been ruled out for Saturday.
Players to Watch:
Ar’Darius Washington
Ravens safety Ar’Darius Washington has been nothing short of spectacular for the Ravens in 2024. In his fourth season with the team, Washington has finally been given his opportunity to start, and hasn’t looked back. This season Washington has recorded 60 total tackles, two interceptions, seven pass deflections, and a crucial forced fumble on Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson just three weeks ago.
Standing at just 5’8″, Washington makes his presence felt with his willingness to come up from his safety spot to make tackles or his ability to make plays on the ball in the passing game. Since taking over as a starter in the secondary the Ravens have gone from one of the worst passing defenses to one of the best giving up just 186.8 yards passing per game. In the Ravens Browns week eight matchup the Ravens were torched by Browns quarterback Jameis Winston for 334 passing yards and three touchdowns. While Winston may not start for the Browns on Saturday, Washington who did not start in week eight, will be on Saturday which is surely to make a huge difference this time around.
Jerry Jeudy
Traded from Denver to Cleveland in the offseason, wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has been as advertised for the Browns offense in 2024. Through 16 games Jeudy has 84 receptions for 1,166 yards, sixth most receiving yards in the NFL. Despite the revolving door at quarterback for the Browns after the injury to quarterback Deshaun Watson, Jeudy has only seemed to get better. That includes a 235 yard receiving performance just five weeks ago.
In the Ravens first matchup against the Browns, Jeudy had five catches for 79 yards, with his longest reception of 30 yards. With Bailey Zappe set to make his first start of the season at quarterback for the Browns. The Ravens know they cannot let Jeudy be the one to beat them as they look to hold him under 75 receiving yard for just the second time in seven games.
Prediction
The Ravens have a lot to play for on Saturday with a second straight AFC north title hanging in the balance, the Ravens control their own destiny and just need a win to secure it. The Browns on the other hand are simply trying to play spoiler and sweep the Ravens for first time since 2007. Like any divisional game especially an AFC north divisional game nothing is ever easy, and while I expect the Browns to put up somewhat of a fight early. I think once the Ravens start to gain any kind of momentum the Browns will be ready for their offseason to begin.
With Bailey Zappe starting at quarterback for the Browns, I think that bods well for the Ravens defense as Zappe has limited experience playing in just 14 games over three years, and has yet to play this season. I expect the Ravens offense to pick up where they left off in Houston on Christmas day, and score early and often. The Ravens secure the AFC north title, and guarantee at least one home playoff game as they take down the Browns by a final of 27-6.
Line: Baltimore -20
Over/Under: 41.5
All-Time Record: Baltimore leads series 36-15
Last Meeting: 10/27/24 Cleveland 29-24
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