The Cleveland Browns will close out their challenging 2024 NFL season against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium. The matchup carries significant weight for the Ravens, who are on the brink of clinching the AFC North title, whereas the Browns, languishing at the bottom of the division, hope to salvage some pride with their final game.
The Ravens currently hold the advantage with the all-time series standing at 36-15. The last meeting occurred earlier this season, where the Browns surprisingly triumphed 29-25, halting the Ravens' five-game winning streak. Now, with playoffs on the line, the stakes couldn't be higher for Baltimore.
Under coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens are aiming for their second straight division title, heavily favored to win this week by 20 points against the depleted Browns. The Browns, who come to the game with injuries piling up, have shut down several key players, including tight end David Njoku and cornerback Denzel Ward, as the organization shifts focus to evaluating its remaining talent. Rookie Bailey Zappe has been named starting quarterback, replacing the injured Jameis Winston who struggled earlier this season.
"It's definitely a goal [to win the division]," said Harbaugh. The Ravens will capitalize on the opportunity to solidify their position as they head toward the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Browns will field a very different team compared to the one who stunned the Ravens back in Week 8.
This week, the Browns announced their inactive players: linebacker Devin Bush, cornerback Denzel Ward, and tight end David Njoku, alongside others. Such decisions stem from injuries sustained throughout the season. The expected starting lineup will see Zappe leading the team with D’Onta Foreman as running back and Jordan Akins as the tight end, highlighting the offense's diminished state.
Despite their depleted roster, wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is set to play after recovering from injury. Jeudy, who has emerged as one of the few bright spots for the Browns this season, has amassed 1,166 receiving yards and four touchdowns over the year. His performance has been pivotal for maintaining some semblance of offensive consistency amid struggles.
On the flipside, the Ravens have activated tight end Charlie Kolar from injured reserve, bolstering their lineup as they pursue playoff readiness. The only notable injury for Baltimore is cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis, who has been placed on injured reserve due to hamstring issues.
Game conditions at M&T Bank Stadium are expected to be ‘frigid,’ with kickoff at 4 p.m. ET set to see RealFeel temperatures around 19 degrees, not adding any ease to the intensity of the game. Strong winds—ranging between 10 to 15 mph, with gusts reaching up to 32 mph—will challenge both teams throughout play.
Both teams' strategies will be pivotal, especially for the Ravens, who look to secure the No. 3 seed heading to the playoffs. They must overcome the emotional weight of their last encounter with the Browns, aiming to remove any bitter taste left from their earlier defeat. “We still have a sour taste in our mouth from [the Week 8 loss], and [we] had a lot of opportunities to win,” said Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton.
Cleveland, on the other hand, faces the challenge of maintaining morale and testing their younger players on the field, potentially signalling shifts for the roster as they move toward the offseason.
"If we can finish strong, it sets the direction for next year," said Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, emphasizing the importance of these final moments even under trying circumstances.
Kickoff for this much-anticipated clash will take place at 4:30 p.m. ET, and anticipation swells as both teams prepare not just for triumph, but to end the season on their own terms.