Former coach Hue Jackson jumped in Lake Erie after his 2017 team went 0-16. Not even that team, however, faced longer odds in a game than the Kevin Stefanski Browns Saturday in Baltimore. (Cleveland Browns)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst of the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
BALTIMORE, MD
Four downs on Browns (3-13) v. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
First down: It’s come to this.
The most futile Browns season in franchise and NFL history was 2017 when Hue Jackson’s team finished 0-16. That team ranked 32nd in points (234), led the NFL with 41 turnovers, and committed 110 accepted penalties. Through 16 games, Kevin Stefanski’s 3-13 team ranks 32nd in points (248), leads the NFL with 32 turnovers, and has committed 116 accepted penalties. But never in 2017 were the Browns 19.5-point underdogs, as they are Saturday against the Ravens. The largest point-spread in the 2017 Browns season was 13.5. This isn’t the lowest the Browns have sunk in the Jimmy Haslam ownership era because of their three wins. But it’s close. As ridiculous as it sounds, a 14th loss would rank only as the third-losingest season in the Haslam era. The Browns lost 16 in 2017 and 15 in 2016. Oh, and 13 in 2015. Do better, Browns.
Second down: No incentive to win.
The Browns are missing four starters on defense (defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, linebackers Jordan Hicks and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and cornerback Denzel Ward) plus three on offense (running back Jerome Ford, tight end David Njoku and wide receiver Cedric Tillman). And they’re starting Bailey Zappe at quarterback, anointing him as the 40th QB to make a start since the 1999 expansion era and the 11th in five seasons with Stefanski as coach. It would be arguably the greatest upset of the NFL season if the Browns won. It would also qualify as the most stupid win of the season. What’s the incentive? To block the Ravens from winning their second consecutive AFC North title? That would only hand the title to the Steelers (if they beat the Bengals later Saturday night). Most Browns fans hate the Steelers more, so winning would further antagonize the majority of fans. Further, a loss guarantees the Browns would select no lower than No. 3 in the 2025 draft, and would keep alive the prospect of moving higher up. A win might drop them out of the top five. I don’t recall ever a Browns team having less reason to win a game than this one.
Third down: Individual pursuits.
Myles Garrett and Jerry Jeudy would much rather be playing for a post-season berth, of course. But since their teammates generally have had a miserable season, Garrett and Jeudy have nothing left to play for than individual pursuits. Garrett enters the weekend tied with Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson for the league lead in sacks with 14. Garrett has a bushel basket of individual honors and achievements, but he has never led the NFL in sacks in eight seasons. “I’d rather upset them and mess up their playoff hopes,” Garrett said. “And if the sack title comes along with that, great.” FYI, Garrett has 8.5 sacks in 13 games against the Ravens. With 84 receptions, Jeudy needs six catches to break the Browns’ single-season record held by tight ends Ozzie Newsome and Kellen Winslow II. “I ain’t even know that,” Jeudy said this week. “If it happens, it happens. Hopefully it happens with a win.” Note to Zappe: Make like Ohio State. Get the ball to your No. 1 receiver early and often.
Fourth down: I bet you didn’t know …
Since losing the first three games against the Ravens with Stefanski as coach, the Browns have won four of the last six, including three of the last four. Also, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is 7-5 (.583) against the Browns and 62-19 (.765) against the rest of the NFL.
The pick: Ravens 27, Browns 6.
My record: 11-5.