Basics
Kickoff: 1 p.m., FirstEnergy Stadium
TV: WJZ Channel 13 (Baltimore), WUSA Channel 9 (Washington, D.C.), CBS crew (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson)
Radio: WBAL (1090AM/101.5FM) & 98Rock (97.9FM) Ravens crew (Gerry Sandusky, Jarret Johnson); Compass Media Networks (Chris Carrino, Brian Baldinger); WDCN La Nueva 87.7 radio broadcast on the Ravens app: (David Andrade, Gustavo Salazar, Ximena Lugo)
Jersey Color: White
Stakes
A victory would clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the Ravens, giving them home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs. Baltimore (12-2) will be trying to win its 11th straight game, which would extend the longest regular-season winning streak in franchise history. A Browns loss would eliminate them from playoff contention.
History
Baltimore holds a 30-11 advantage in the all-time series, but the Browns have won two of the last three. In Week 4, Cleveland rolled to a 40-25 victory at M&T Bank Stadium. Browns running back Nick Chubb rushed for 165 yards and three touchdowns, Baker Mayfield completed 20 of 30 passes for 342 yards, and Jarvis Landry had eight catches for 167 yards. Lamar Jackson completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions.Â
Storylines to Watch
Can the Ravens lock up the No. 1 seed?
For the Ravens, this game is about securing a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. Winning this game would allow the Ravens to rest some of their starters if they want to in Week 17, which could pay dividends during the playoffs. The chance to secure the top seed in Week 16 is a golden opportunity, one they don't want to waste.
Will the Ravens contain running back Nick Chubb?
Not only does Chubb lead the NFL in rushing (1,408 yards), he has been rolling recently with at least 100 yards in three of his last four games. The Ravens couldn't control Chubb in Week 4, which made it difficult for them to stop the rest of Cleveland's offense. Baltimore is a much-improved defensive team since that September matchup, but Chubb will put the Ravens' run defense to the test.
Can Baltimore's defense force Baker Mayfield into mistakes?
Mayfield has thrown at least one interception in 11 of his 14 starts. The Ravens picked off Mayfield once in Week 4, and that was before they retooled their defense and traded for cornerback Marcus Peters. The Browns can move the football, but they've also made costly mistakes. If the opportunistic Ravens force some turnovers, it could make the difference in this game.
Key Matchups
Ravens secondary vs. Browns wide receivers
In Week 4, Marlon Humphrey locked up Beckham (two catches, 20 yards), but Landry (eight catches, 167 yards) had a big day. Now the Ravens have Peters, who joins Humphrey, a healthy Jimmy Smith, who did not play in Week 4, and Brandon Carr to give Baltimore the league's deepest cornerback group. It will be interesting to see how the Ravens utilize their corners, and who spends the most time defending Beckham and Landry. But it's hard to picture Cleveland pulling off an upset without some big plays from their wideouts.
Ravens rushing attack vs. Browns run defense
After giving up 38 points to the Arizona Cardinals last weekend, Cleveland's defense is reeling. Baltimore enters this game with the league's No. 1 rushing attack, led by Lamar Jackson and Mark Ingram II, and the Ravens are averaging a league-best 37.5 points. If Cleveland can't stop Jackson and Ingram from doing serious damage on the ground, Baltimore could run away with this game.
Lamar Jackson in red zone vs. Cleveland red zone defense
The Ravens have scored touchdowns on 68 percent of their red zone trips, third best in the NFL. Jackson's ability to run, spot open receivers quickly, and throw accurately into tight windows makes him difficult to handle once Baltimore gets close to the goal line. Meanwhile, the Browns are tied for 19th in red zone defense, and they have been penalized for more yards (1,011) than any team in the NFL. The Browns' defense has trouble getting off the field and has trouble in the red zone. Against Jackson, that's a bad combination.
