Ravens vs. Browns prediction, odds: Baltimores smashmouth run game will give battered Clevelend defense a handful
No Lamar Jackson, no problem. Nothing about the Ravens’ overtime victory over Atlanta last week suggested that they were hamstrung without their two-time MVP quarterback. In fact, backup Tyler Huntley proved he was more than poised when push came to shove, converting for a seven-yard touchdown toss to Devontez Walker with 40 seconds left in regulation before punching in the go-ahead score in overtime on a one-yard sneak. Huntley finished the day with 221 yards, three total touchdowns, and most importantly, zero turnovers. Of course, it helped that he had trusty backfield bruiser Derrick Henry beside him, who led a punishing ground game.In exchange, Baltimore’s defense kept the vaunted Bijan Robinson out of the end zone, and the Ravens ultimately won a rock fight.The Ravens have a one-game lead over the rest of the AFC North ahead of Sunday’s pivotal divisional matchup with Cleveland. Just when we thought the Browns — maybe just perhaps — weren’t “gonna ‘Browns’” this season, they “browned” hard against the Jets last week. Their offense was stifled by pressure; Deshaun Watson was hit 13 times and took eight sacks. They struggled to establish any vertical push on the ground.
Their late clock mismanagement preceded a botched, fumbled punt snap to set up a late Jets go-ahead score. Baltimore meets them favored by a field goal even though they are one of four teams in the NFL that rank within the top 10 in both offensive success rate and opponent success rate (the others being the 49ers, Rams and Bears).Browns head coach Todd Monken will face the Ravens for the first time after spending the last three years as their offensive coordinator.As the offensive playcaller, Monken has certainly had some moments with this historically dysfunctional operation, but the Browns are still bottom dwellers in both total points and yards. The run game hasn’t borne any fruit: Quinshon Judkins is averaging only three yards per carry and he’s nursing...