ExtremeRavens Posted 12 hours ago Posted 12 hours ago The Ravens are heavy favorites this weekend. The opening line of 9 1/2 points in favor of Baltimore over Cleveland suggested as much. But nothing about this matchup or Huntington Bank Field in downtown Cleveland comes easy for the Ravens. Baltimore hasn’t swept the Browns in the regular season since 2020. Cleveland owns an underwhelming 31-47 record with zero playoff wins in that span, bouncing through quarterbacks like a ball in a roulette spinner, yet the Browns have still found ways to make life difficult for the visiting Ravens. Just last October, the Ravens carried a 5-2 record into Cleveland, but the 1-6 Browns pulled off a gutsy upset, 29-24, to notch their second win of the season. With the Ravens now aiming to extend their season-long winning streak to four — a win Sunday also would pull them back to .500 — now is not the time to get complacent. The Ravens are 12-5 in Cleveland under veteran coach John Harbaugh, although the Browns have won three of the past four meetings at home. Count quarterback Lamar Jackson fully aware of what’s at stake in the Week 11 divisional matchup. “We still feel like we’re 1-5,” Jackson said. “We can’t get complacent.” The Ravens already carry the scars from their struggles earlier this season. The team’s sense of urgency has been palpable in recent weeks, but as the line of underwhelming opponents continues, the foot needs to remain on the pedal in Baltimore. Beyond Cleveland waits the stretch that will ultimately define their season — four AFC North games against the Bengals and Steelers over the final six weeks. But before they think of any of those divisional crown possibilities, the Ravens must punish a Browns team that has routinely caused disruption regardless of records or point spreads. A victory Sunday over the Browns would raise the Ravens’ playoff odds to 79%, according to the New York Times’ simulator. Harbaugh detailed his team’s next test: “The Cleveland Browns are really good. That defense is one of the best, if not the best defense going right now. They have multiple top-end players. … We just have the utmost respect for how they play. So, we have to be at our best.” The Ravens, coming off wins over Chicago, Miami and Minnesota, haven’t overcomplicated things in their recent surge. The defense is finally stacking takeaways (seven in the past three games), although the offense still needs sharper execution in the red zone and the pass rush needs to convert pressure into sacks at a higher rate. With safety Kyle Hamilton now lining up more frequently in the box, the defense and Hamilton’s length is causing chaos and rushed decisions on multiple fronts. That could spell trouble for Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel (58.6% completion rate, seven touchdowns, two interceptions). Like Cleveland, Baltimore’s rookie class is flashing more in recent weeks. First-round draft pick Malaki Starks has an interception in consecutive games, while outside linebacker Mike Green and linebacker Teddye Buchanan continue to progress in their individual developments. Even undrafted rookie safety Keondre Jackson has carved himself a niche as a premier special teams player. Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton celebrates with safety Malaki Starks during Baltimore's 27-19 win in Minnesota. Starks has two interceptions in his past two games. (Stacy Bengs/AP) This typically is the time of year when rookies either fade or take meaningful steps, especially considering the regular season in college football concludes at the end of November. At the current moment, the Ravens’ rookies appear to be avoiding the proverbial wall. Baltimore’s takeaway surge is paired offensively with Jackson, who has thrown just one interception all season. Protecting the football will be key against Cleveland’s Jim Schwartz-led defense. “They’re very physical,” fullback Pat Ricard said. “They get up the field, they penetrate … you have to get on them right away.” When asked about whether he carries the emotions from last year’s upset at Cleveland, linebacker Roquan Smith dismissed the notion while noting this season’s disappointing start. He then provided a straight-forward formula to the defense’s mindset ahead of Sunday. “You’re going into someone else’s house, and you have to take what you want,” Smith said. “I think it’s as simple as that. They’re not going to give it to you by any means. They’re in the National Football League. They get paid a check just like we get paid a check. They have family, kids and everything to take care of as well and so do we. “It’s about what you’re going to do between the lines. Games are not won on paper, they’re won between those lines.” Entering Week 11, the Ravens (4-5) sit a game behind Pittsburgh for first place in the division. They’ve played their way back into relevance, but history proves Cleveland hasn’t been the place where momentum travels without a fight. Will the heavy favorites be humbled again? The Ravens have steadied themselves after a shaky start. But in the AFC North, nothing comes easy. Sunday could be another reminder. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. View the full article Quote
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