This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns take on the Baltimore Ravens. Below, we analyze a few advantages, disadvantages, or general thoughts about the two teams before getting to our predictions for the game.
The Last Straw for Dillon Gabriel?
Is it bad that at this point, I’m almost hoping Dillon Gabriel has a less than stellar performance? I shouldn’t even say it’s about hope, though. We’ve seen what his limitations have been, and I can’t even foresee a fluky type of performance overcoming that. Last week’s stat line against the New York Jets showed two touchdowns and no turnovers. Don’t get me wrong, there were some decent things he did in that game, but the overall picture screams backup quarterback.
Maybe it’s unfair to Gabriel, and more of an indictment of our offensive line and the offensive coaching staff. After all, Joe Flacco looked like a shell of his former self in those first four games, only to be back to the Joe we knew and loved with Cincinnati (even if it hasn’t translated to wins for them). Even though we’re all craving to see Shedeur Sanders, maybe the coaching staff feels that, “If Flacco and Gabriel have struggled this much with the offense, we don’t want to ruin Sanders before he even gets a fair shot.” I’m not worried about that so much. I want to see Sanders. It’s not because I’m in love with the guy (yet). This team is 2-7 and headed for another losing season. The offense has to rank up there with one of the worst in franchise history. I don’t think Gabriel is the plan to be the long-term starter, and I think he’s gotten enough reps under his belt to show he can be a good backup. Before you make a potential quarterback decision for 2026, I just think you have to at least see what you have in Sanders. If he looks like a complete deer in the headlights, then at least you’ve solved a bit of the unknown.
As for this week against the Ravens, Baltimore has won three straight games, has Lamar Jackson back, and are now being pegged by everyone as the clear favorites to win the AFC North. If you go back to earlier this season, Cleveland had Jackson shut down for that first half. If you recall, it was a special teams play — a blocked punt — that set up the Ravens’ short-field touchdown in the first half, otherwise it could have been a 3-3 game at the intermission. Baltimore had one legitimate touchdown drive that whole game; all of the others game off of turnovers.
The Ravens didn’t have a sharp defense at the time, but they, like other teams, knew they could bring the heat at Cleveland and they couldn’t stop it. Even the Jets last week, who don’t generate much pressure, logged six sacks. It’s hard to be optimistic about the offense this week because of that. All you can kind of do is do the usual hope of, “Well, if the defense keeps it a low-scoring game, then maybe we get a fortunate bounce and pull off a close one at home, where Cleveland is 2-2.” But then, how do you avoid the massive special teams blunders that pop up weekly, the backbreaking second-half defensive score that the defense gives up, and the lack of a downfield throwing presence to open up the offense?
Quick Hitters
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz talked about the frustrations with the plays the team gave up against the Jets last week:
“Well, I mean, there weren’t that many plays because, like we missed a couple series because of special team scores, but also were three and out, three and out, one and out. You know, when you have combination and then there’s two non-scores in there, basically you didn’t get drives there, that’s sort of the way that goes. But yeah, I mean, it was a little bit different. We made three mistakes in that game – we get a holding penalty on third and extra-long when they’re just trying to keep the clock running. And then we jump offsides, cardinal sin in four-minute, really embarrassing play for us. And the other one where we’re aggressive to try to keep them out of field goal range. It’s a tight game, we were behind the eight ball early in the game and we’re trying to keep them out of field goal range. So, you’re aggressive and you’re blitzing, and they get one block and all of a sudden they can score a touchdown. You know, even though when you look at a lot of the stats and things like that looks good, it wasn’t enough for a win. And if we either make a play here, or don’t commit a penalty or just make a mistake, then maybe we have a better chance to win that game. But there were a lot of things that we’re proud of with the game, but we’re never proud of the loss.”
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees was asked about the increased number of rollouts called for Dillon Gabriel:
“There’s a combination of things. Skill set, those give plays to get outside the pocket, you know, allows us to get on the move, allows the line to block a little bit differently. There’s a lot of benefits to those. And you know, we’re always looking at ways to maximize our players’ skill set. Not just Dillon, but, you know, other guys up front and across the board.”
Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone was asked about the two touchdowns given up last week:
“Yeah. Honestly, I would say in both areas, we got to do a better job – well, first off, on the kickoff, got to do a better job of getting off blocks and then folding when necessary. You know, we practiced that play multiple times throughout the week, so could have done a better job with our details, and our techniques and our fundamentals. And then on our punt, just not taking the easiest release in the coverage, getting outside the ball, and then we need a better ball with better hang on that. So, we need to do a better job. We haven’t played near our capabilities – we’ve had too many issues with just dumb football, dumb mistakes. But look, I will say this, we have a prideful group, and I expect these guys to respond, I really do. So, made the corrections, moving on. It’s a new week, and we’re excited about the opportunity to play against the (Baltimore) Ravens.”
Some other notes to look forward to:
- One positive from last week’s game was the performance of Jerry Jeudy, who seemed to be comfortable with the crossing routes and the quarterback being more confident with him getting open in those situations.
- Maliek Collins has an oblique injury, so we might see a big boost in workload for Mike Hall Jr at defensive tackle this week.
- I thought Tommy Rees did a good job mixing with the playcalls last week of run vs. pass, and also getting Gabriel to the outside on some movement. With that said, I feel like Baltimore is going to try blitzing those anticipated playactions, so there could be more chances to hand the ball off.
- Will we see the Malachi Corley jet sweeps work to perfection again? Maybe he should be a punt returner with the moves he seems to put on.
Predictions
Here are predictions from multiple staff members at DBN:
Chris Pokorny: “The Browns couldn’t take out the Jets last week, and Baltimore is playing well defensively and getting enough plays on offense to capitalize. Cleveland will have the same story: keep it somewhat close early, but they just don’t have the execution or firepower to finish things strong.” Ravens 23, Browns 13
Jared Mueller: “Why in the world would I choose the Cleveland Browns to beat the Baltimore Ravens, especially now that Lamar Jackson seems certain to play on Sunday? Well, I do work for a Browns website so…
No way I’m picking Cleveland over Baltimore, no matter how much hatred runs through my veins for that team. And I hope the Browns prove me to be just a daft idiot with this prediction.” Ravens 30, Browns 13
Barry Shuck: “The Ravens have not been the team this year that we all thought they would be. But they have finally figured out what their issues are and are on a roll. I expect their offense to score a lot of points and run the ball like they know how. This Browns offense is trash. At least we have a great punter! My gut doesn’t think this one will be close.” Ravens 27, Browns 10
Curtiss Brown: “It would be on brand for the Browns to lose to a team they had no business losing to (the loss was predictable in my opinion), just to follow it up with a winning a game everyone wouldn’t expect them to win.
Baltimore is starting to turn the corner after a slow start but it would be on brand for them to halt that momentum with losing to an inferior opponent. Cleveland’s defense will give Baltimore’s offense problems (as always) but the offense will struggle because the unit doesnt have Lamar Jackson or Derrick Henry.
Season’s been rough (I know) but divisional games are weird and if the NFL has taught me anything is that anyone can be beat. Just not gonna happen with the Browns against the Ravens. I could be wrong though, the team has been doubted before but it’s just not today.” Ravens 23, Browns 13
Who do you think will win, Browns fans? Let us know in the comments section below.
