Browns–Ravens II: Elite Defense, Broken Offense, and the Only Path to an Upset
The Browns and Ravens meet for the 54th time on Sunday, with Baltimore leading the series 38–15, but the last eight split evenly. Cleveland enters the rematch under intense pressure. Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry face a home crowd frustrated by a season in which an elite defense has been wasted by offensive dysfunction and special-teams catastrophes. Baltimore, meanwhile, arrives with Lamar Jackson, a deep roster, and the organizational steadiness Cleveland desperately wants but hasn’t matched.
If the Browns are going to steal this one, their defense must again limit Lamar Jackson and dominate Derrick Henry—and the offense must stop dragging the entire operation underwater. That starts with addressing the Dillon Gabriel problem.
The Heat on Stefanski & Berry
A home loss marked by offensive stalls or another special-teams meltdown will supercharge the hot seat conversation.
What cools the temperature:
• Replicating Week 2’s run defense (45 Ravens rushing yards; Derrick Henry held to 23 on 11 carries)
• Avoiding catastrophic field-flipping mistakes—no turnovers, no special-teams implosions
• Making a real decision at quarterback if Gabriel sputters again—Cleveland fans are already calling for “Superman” Shedeur Sanders
What Really Happened in Week 2
Baltimore’s 41–17 win in September looked like a blowout, but the game remained competitive until Cleveland imploded late.
Score flow:
10–3 at halftime, 20–10 after three quarters, and still within reach before a fourth-quarter avalanche.
Despite the final margin, Cleveland out-rushed Baltimore 115–45, smothered Derrick Henry, and forced Baltimore into long fields. Lamar Jackson was outstanding—225 yards and four touchdowns—but the Ravens didn’t dominate the trenches. They simply capitalized on Cleveland’s mistakes.
The “Hidden 21”: Gifts to Baltimore
• Third-quarter INT → TD
• Strip-sack → 63-yard scoop-and-score
• Blocked punt → short-field TD
Baltimore earned roughly 20 points; Cleveland handed them 21.
The Jets Game: 36 Seconds That Defined a Season
Last week, the Browns went from a potential 14–0 lead to a deficit in 36 seconds:
• 99-yard kickoff return TD
• 74-yard punt return TD
It wasn’t a fluke. It’s been a recurring disaster under special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone.
Where Cleveland Actually Stands
This is a playoff-caliber defense trapped inside a 2–7 record.
Defensive Ranks (ESPN):
• 264.9 yards allowed — 2nd
• 167.0 pass yards allowed — 2nd
• 97.9 rush yards allowed — 10th
• 27 sacks — T-7th
• +1 turnover differential
Their official 23.7 points per game allowed is inflated by non-defensive scores. Remove the Ravens’ 14 from turnovers and the Jets’ 14 from special teams, and the adjusted 20.6 ppg allowed puts them even with the 8–2 Colts.
This is an elite defensive unit being squandered. With even a middle-of-the-pack offense, their record would look like Indianapolis or New England at 8–2.
Star Power
Myles Garrett remains the best defensive player in football, but Cleveland is stacked elsewhere: DT Maliek Collins, CB Denzel Ward, S Grant Delpit, and DROY frontrunner MLB Carson Schwesinger are all playing at All-Pro or Pro Bowl levels.
Garrett vs. Lamar: A Real Rivalry
Garrett has been uniquely effective against Lamar Jackson:
• 8.5 sacks on Lamar in career meetings
• 1.5 sacks in Week 2
• 10 total sacks vs. the Ravens
Even while calling Lamar the toughest QB in the league to sack, Garrett keeps finding him. Cleveland can generate pressure with four while maintaining rush-lane discipline—critical in this matchup.
The Gabriel Problem — and Why Delay Is Pointless
Dillon Gabriel hasn’t shown “rookie inconsistency.” He’s shown historic ineffectiveness.
He stares down the line of scrimmage, drifts into pressure, and sprays high balls or one-hoppers. He threw a safety against New England and took two sacks on 4th down last week versus the Jets.
The numbers are worse than the film.
Per Zac Jackson (The Athletic):
• 5.0 YPA — worst by any rookie with 200+ attempts since 2006
• Last among all qualified QBs in YPA
• 36th of 40 in completion % (58.6%)
• –0.18 EPA/dropback — 41st
(meaning the Browns lose 0.18 expected points every time he drops back; 25 attempts = 4.5 lost points)
• 33% dropback success rate — worst among NFL starters
• 42.9% completion rate to WRs
• Browns offense — 31st in total yards
Since replacing Joe Flacco, Gabriel is 1–4 as QB1. This is collapse, not development.
Why Shedeur Sanders Must Play
Sanders brings timing, anticipation, and the ability to attack single coverage. He gives Cleveland a pathway to explosive plays—something Gabriel cannot manufacture.
Starting him only if Gabriel gets hurt is coaching malpractice.
There will be seven games left after this week—enough to find out if Sanders is the future.
Start Shedeur on purpose, not by accident.
Special Teams: Harbaugh vs. Ventrone
Baltimore is annually polished in the third phase. Cleveland is annually chaotic.
Since 2023, the Browns have allowed:
• six return TDs
• three punt-return TDs (most in NFL)
• two returns in 36 seconds last week
• the worst net punt-coverage metrics in the league
Sunday’s requirement: be invisible. No disasters.
Matchups That Swing It
• Myles Garrett vs. protection: Single him and expect a multi-sack game.
• Judkins vs. Baltimore linebackers: 20+ carries and a 40+ rush day for the team is Cleveland’s path.
• Third-down conversions: Win this by two and you’re in it late.
Prediction
Cleveland has the defense to win. If they pair it with competent QB play, a strong Judkins performance, and neutral special teams, the upset is realistic.
If Gabriel starts wire-to-wire: Ravens 23, Browns 10
If Shedeur plays 3+ quarters: Browns 20, Ravens 19
Main Photo Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
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