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As the 2024 NFL season rolls to a finish the Browns and Ravens are pretty much where most of us though they would be at the start of the season.
The Browns are a mess, their $230M dollar QB ended up a bust that is destined to be cut after next season, their offensive line is riddled with injuries, and while the defense isn't playing badly, they're beat up too.
On the other hand, the Ravens are marching to another division title, Lamar Jackson is the most unstoppable player since Bo Jackson in Tecmo Bowl (ask your dad), and would it really surprise you if they found a way to make it to the Super Bowl?
Me either.
Browns (3-13) @ Ravens (11-5)
Kickoff - 4:30p ESPN/ABC/ESPN+
Line - Ravens -20 O/u 41.5
Series - Ravens lead 36-15
Last matchup - Browns 29-24 on October 27, 2024 in Cleveland, OH
Draft lookahead - Quarterbacks
I had said that there was no QB worth a first-round pick in this draft, let alone a Top 5 pick and I stand by that. That doesn't mean one won't be drafted, in fact, I expect that at least two will be drafted. You don't get to be an NFL general manager by being dumb, but every year we see QB-needy teams taking players WAY above where they should be, that's because if you don't have your quarterback, you're looking for one, and when you're looking for one, you tend to grasp at the first possibility you have a chance at.
We will NOT be looking at those QBs. The guys we WILL be looking at are guys who will be drafted third round or later who could be developed into a starter, or a reliable back-up.
Riley Leonard - Notre Dame - If you've watched Leonard the last couple of years you've seen him almost single-handedly drag Duke from 3-9 in his freshman year (when he didn't start) to respectability in his junior year (8-5) to taking perennial underachiever Notre Dame to the College Football Playoff in his last hurrah. He's a winner and he won't quit, he could be more consistent though.
Kyle McCord - Syracuse - Starting a single season at Ohio State and then transferring to Syracuse, McCord has put up two extremely solid seasons in 2023-24. Is it enough to earn him a spot in the NFL? No idea. He has an NFL quality arm and release coupled with very good touch on medium-to-deep balls though he lacks the ability to create when the pocket breaks down.
Kurtis Rourke - Indiana - Rourke is probably going to never have to buy another drink in Bloomington any time soon, that happens when you take a perennial doormat and QB them into the CFP. He does a good job with his pre-snap reads but there are questions about how much more he can develop.
Brady Cook - Missouri - Cook's senior year can't hold a candle to his junior year, not because he regressed, but because of injuries. Just like his sophomore year, he played much of 2024 injured. He is a very capable, tough QB with excellent leadership traits and the ability to make something out of nothing while on the run. He has an average arm and will sometimes bail from a clean pocket.
Bits and Baubles
Myles Garret is the first player in NFL history to have had 14 sacks in four straight seasons. QB Billy Zappe, claimed off of the practice squad from Kansas City in October, will become the Browns 40th starting QB since their return to the NFL in 1999.
Ravens' QB Lamar Jackson can accomplish two firsts this weekend - He needs 45 passing yards to become the first player to throw for 4,000 yards and run for 800 yards in a season. He needs one TD pass and to avoid any interceptions to become the first player to throw for 4,000 yards with 40 TDs and 4 or fewer interceptions.
Injury Report
Browns
Jordan Hicks - LB - OUT (Concussion)
Cedrick Tillman - WR - OUT/IR (Concussion)
Pierre Strong - RB - OUT/IR (Concussion)
Dalvin Tomlinson - DT - OUT (Knee)
Denzel Ward - CB - OUT (Shoulder)
Jerome Ford - RB - OUT/IR (Ankle)
David Njoku - TE - OUT/IR (Knee)
Ogbo Okoronkwo - DE - Questionable (Knee)
Cameron Mitchell - CB - Questionable (Knee)
Blake Whiteheart - TE - Questionable (Knee)
Michael Woods II - WR - Questionable (Knee)
Jameis Winston - QB - Questionable (Shoulder)
Ravens
Justice Hill - RB - OUT (Illness/Concussion)
Jaylen Armour-Davis - CB - OUT/IR (Hamstring)
Charlie Kolar - TE - Questionable (Forearm)
Patrick Mekari - OG - Questionable (Undisclosed)
Prediction
Ravens 31-17
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