Through 11 weeks of the 2021 season, the Baltimore Ravens have a 7-3 record and hold the top spot in the AFC North. They have had a very impressive year overall considering how many injuries they’ve had to go through as well as some of the comeback wins they’ve been able to muster against quality opponents.
In Week 12, Baltimore will host the Cleveland Browns in a big divisional matchup. The Ravens lost their only other divisional game of 2021 so far to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7, so it will be important for the team to put together a good performance and come out with a win against a Cleveland team that has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball.
Below we look at six bold predictions for Baltimore’s Week 12 contest with the Browns.
The Ravens run for 200+ total yards on the ground
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
With the way that Baltimore has been running the ball on the ground recently and how the Browns have been defending it, this is quite a bold prediction. However, in a divisional game with a lot on the line, this could be the game that the Ravens’ break through on the ground.
The box score stats will show that Baltimore ranks highly in rushing yards (3rd) and yards per attempt (5th). However, the run offense has been somewhat carried by the quarterbacks of the offense, with the Ravens’ leader in carries from the running back position averaging just 3.5 yards per attempt. The Browns rank 7th in yards per attempt given up on the ground, but Baltimore knows what’s at stake in this divisional matchup, which will hopefully provide some inspired play from the running backs and offensive line.
– Kevin Oestreicher
QB Lamar Jackson and QB Baker Mayfield combine for 700+ passing yards
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Both the Ravens and the Browns have defensive units that are ranked in the top-ten when it comes to stopping the run. The Browns allow an average of 101.4 yards on the ground per game, which is seventh in the NFL. Meanwhile, Baltimore has allowed an average of 88.6 rushing yards per game, which is second in the league.
With Cleveland looking to contain the legs of Jackson and Baltimore aiming to shut down Browns running back Nick Chubb, this game could come down to the arms of the quarterbacks. Explosive receivers like Ravens’ Marquise Brown and Cleveland’s Donovan Peoples-Jones should see a high percentage of targets.
– Robert Sobus
Baltimore gets out to a fast start on offense
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Fast starts have been a bit of an issue for the Ravens’ offense over the course of the 2021 season, and because of that the team has had to play from behind more often than they would probably like to. However, that could change in Week 12.
With a healthy Lamar Jackson behind center, the offense starts the game faster than in their previous three contests. The quarterback gets help from tight end Nick Boyle, who makes a critical block that has Jackson score from 50 yards. Jackson also throws two touchdown passes, this time to wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay. The offense controls the time of possession battle to keep Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield and their deadly rushing attack on the sidelines.
– Steve Rudden
The Ravens hold the Browns to under 100 total rushing yards
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Cleveland is the best running team in the NFL, ranking No. 1 in rushing yards (1,725), rushing touchdowns (17), and yards per attempt (5.2) despite ranking fifth in rushing attempts. However, Baltimore’s run defense has been solid this season, and they could stifle the Browns’ ground game if a few of their key pieces play.
In order for the Ravens to stuff Cleveland on the ground, it will come down to if defensive linemen Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams can suit up. Campbell didn’t practice all week with a concussion but still could play without practicing, while Williams has been out for multiple weeks with a shoulder injury but was able to practice a bit leading up to Week 12.
– Kevin Oestreicher
Rashod Bateman scores first-career NFL touchdown
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Over the last few weeks, the minds of “Ravens Wire” have tried to predict when Bateman would score his first-career NFL touchdown. Bateman hasn’t scored yet, but this could be the week that the first-round pick finds the end zone.
In five games, Bateman has seen 34 targets and played 64% of offensive snaps. He is slowly becoming a security blanket for quarterback Lamar Jackson. With both teams having dominant run defenses, watch for Bateman to hit pay dirt on “Sunday Night Football“.
– Robert Sobus
Baltimore's defense completely shuts down the Cleveland offense
(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The Ravens’ defense will hopefully be getting back some key pieces from injuries such as defensive lineman Brandon Williams and cornerback Anthony Averett. Because of that, the unit could be able to limit the Browns’ passing game and bottle up the running game.
Without big explosive holes for Nick Chubb and a returning Kareem Hunt to run through, Cleveland’s offense could stall out in a big way. The game will be on the shoulder of Baker Mayfield, who might look to his tight ends, and the Baltimore defense will have to make plenty of stops to prevent the Browns’ passing offense from torching their secondary.
– Steve Rudden
