Derrick Henry's 169 rushing yards were the most for a Ravens back in Game 1, but they weren't enough to prevent a defensive meltdown against Buffalo. (Baltimore Ravens)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst 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: 0-1.
Last game: Lost to Buffalo Bills, 41-40, September 8, in Orchard Park, NY.
Coach: John Harbaugh, 185-116, 18th year.
Series record: Ravens lead, 37-15.
Last meeting: Ravens won, 35-10, January 4, in Baltimore.
League rankings: Offense is second overall (first rushing, 17th passing), defense is 30th overall (18th rushing, 30th passing), and turnover differential is minus-1.
Things to watch
1. Their entire offseason was devoted to filling in pieces on the defense, and the first result was another epic meltdown in the fourth quarter against Buffalo. The Bills scored 16 points in the final 4:48. It was the Ravens’ fifth loss in seven seasons after leading by 10 points or more in the fourth quarter. One came against the Browns in 2023.
2. New defensive players of note are No. 1 pick safety Malaki Starks, and veteran cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie. Starks and Alexander are two of five first-round talents in the secondary. The others are cornerback Marlon Humphrey, safety Kyle Hamilton and cornerback Nate Wiggins.
3. The Ravens returned 10 of 11 starters from the No. 1 offense in 2024. The only change was Andrew Vorhees replacing Patrick Mekari at left guard.
4. Two key offensive players missed the first game – fullback Patrick Ricard (calf) and TE2 Isaiah Likely (foot).
Did you know … ?
1. On Sunday, the Ravens are celebrating their 30th season since Art Modell moved the former Browns there. Honorary captains for the game include John Moag, Maryland’s point man for enticing Modell to move to Baltimore; former Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening; and former Baltimore mayor Kurt Schmoke; along with John Modell, the only surviving member of the Modell family. It was planned for their first home game before the 2025 schedule came out.
2. The 41-40 loss to Buffalo marked the first time in their history the Ravens scored 40 and lost.
3. Derrick Henry’s 169 rushing yards v. Buffalo were the most in a season opener in Ravens history.
4. This is the first time since 2012 the Ravens’ kicker is not Justin Tucker. His replacement, Tyler Loop, was a sixth-round pick from Arizona. The Ravens believe he is a future All-Pro. Loop made field goals of 52 and 49 yards in his NFL debut, but he doinked one PAT off the right upright.
Small world: Executive vice president Ozzie Newsome is the Browns’ all-time receptions leader and was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999 … President Sashi Brown was Browns legal counsel, executive vice president and EVP of football operations from 2013-17 … Quarterback Tyler Huntley was in Browns training camp in 2024 and 2025 … Running back D’Ernest Johnson played for the Browns from 2019-22 … Tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden played for the Browns in 2022-23 … Offensive coordinator Todd Monken held the same position with Browns in 2019 … Offensive line coach George Warhop held the same position with Browns from 2009-13.