Browns scouting report: Baltimore Ravens
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst on the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Browns v. Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, 1 p.m., in M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
Record: 7-2.
Last game: Defeated Seattle Seahawks, 37-3, November 5, in Baltimore.
Coach: John Harbaugh, 165-106, 16th year.
Series record: Ravens lead, 36-13.
Last meeting: Ravens won, 28-3, October 1, Cleveland.
League rankings: Offense is sixth overall (first rushing, 20th passing), defense is second overall (eighth rushing, second passing) and turnover differential is plus-1.
Things to watch
1. It’s the middle of the full season, but the division title could be virtually wrapped up by next week. The Ravens play the Browns Sunday and the Bengals on Thursday night. Both games are in Baltimore. The Ravens have defeated both teams on the road already. A sweep would just about eliminate Cleveland and Cincinnati and leave Baltimore only to fend off Pittsburgh for the division title. Yes, the Ravens have the NFL’s toughest remaining schedule with only one team with a losing record (Rams) left to play. But a sweep of the Browns and Bengals would give them four division wins, which is usually the tipping point to claiming the AFC North title.
2. In their rout of the Browns on October 1, the Ravens were missing six starters and a few other contributors due to injury. Five of them are back – receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman, left tackle Ronnie Stanley, cornerback Marlon Humphrey and edge rusher Odafe Oweh. Another, safety Marcus Williams, could return from a hamstring injury.
MVP candidate Lamar Jackson seeks to run his record to 8-1 against the Browns. He threw for two TDs and ran for two in the first meeting this year.
3. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has thrived in coordinator Todd Monken’s spread offense, which allows him to deliver the ball quickly. Jackson is first in the NFL in completion percentage (.715) and sixth in passer rating (100.8). A spread alignment also improves the Ravens’ rushing game by loosening up the tackle box. While Jackson’s designed runs are down from previous years, he still leads all quarterbacks with 440 rushing yards and is third with five rushing TDs.
4. The Ravens’ defense coordinated by Mike MacDonald leads the NFL in points per game (13.8), sacks (35), passer rating (69.7), defensive red zone touchdown percentage (33.3), offensive goal-to-go touchdown percentage (40.0), and plays of 25+ allowed (10).
5. Several defensive players are in the midst of career years, including defensive end Justin Madubuike (7.5 sacks), inside linebackers Roquan Smith (87 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5 passes defensed) and Patrick Queen (75 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 passes defensed) and safety Geno Stone (league-leading 6 interceptions).
Did you know … ?
1. Lamar Jackson’s 52-18 (.743) record as a starting QB is second among active quarterbacks to Patrick Mahomes’ 61-17 (.782). It’s also tied for third-best since 1970 among QBs with at least 50 starts behind Mahomes and Tom Brady (251-82, .754), and tied with Roger Staubach (84-29, .743). Jackson is 7-1 against the Browns in games he has started and finished.
2. Mark Andrews (41 receptions for 447 yards) leads tight ends with six touchdowns.
3. Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. had his first touchdown catch against Seattle one week after being held without a catch for only the second time in his career.
4. Edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney is ninth on the defense with 19 tackles, tied for third with 3.5 sacks and second with 11 quarterback hits.
5. Kicker Justin Tucker’s only field-goal misses in 19 attempts were from 59, 61, and 53 yards. His .902 career field-goal percentage is the best all time. He also holds the NFL record for longest field goal (66 yards).
6. Running back Gus Edwards has six rushing TDs in the last three games.
Small world: Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (2019-21), defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (2021-22), guard Kevin Zeitler (2017-18) and quarterback Josh Johnson (2012) all played for the Browns … Executive VP Ozzie Newsome was drafted by the Browns in 1978, is the franchise’s all-time leading receiver and was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999 … President Sashi Brown was Browns executive VP in 2016-17 and general counsel before that … Offensive coordinator Todd Monken held the same position with the Browns in 2019 … Director of player personnel George Kokinis was Browns GM for the first eight games in 2009 … Associate head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver was Browns defensive line coach in 2014-15.
