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Cleveland Browns vs. Ravens: Predicting the final game’s outcome

By Randy Gurzi

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15: Wide receiver Antonio Callaway #11 of the Cleveland Browns is congratulated after scoring a fourth quarter go-ahead touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15: Wide receiver Antonio Callaway #11 of the Cleveland Browns is congratulated after scoring a fourth quarter go-ahead touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 07: Willie Snead #83 of the Baltimore Ravens is tackled by Damarious Randall #23 of the Cleveland Browns and T.J. Carrie #38 of the Cleveland Browns in the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 07: Willie Snead #83 of the Baltimore Ravens is tackled by Damarious Randall #23 of the Cleveland Browns and T.J. Carrie #38 of the Cleveland Browns in the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Writer: Shane Carter

Essentially, this is a playoff game. It’s the Super Bowl for Cleveland and Baltimore needs to win to advance. The Browns were eliminated last week but have a chance to get their first winning season in over a decade.

A couple of Browns rookie milestones are up for this game as well:

Nick Chubb, who since becoming the starter after week 6, only needs 28 yards rushing for 1,000 on the season.

Baker Mayfield has 24 passing touchdowns on the season. He needs two to tie both Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson for the single-season rookie record. Three would break it, despite not starting the entire season.

Baltimore has had their own rookie success this season. Tight end Mark Andrews and linebacker Kenny Young have been draft steals for the Ravens (both being drafted after the second round).

More recently, Lamar Jackson (who was my third-ranked rookie QB in the draft) has had a great start to his career and has stolen the starting job from Joe Flacco. There’s no looking back now.

Ultimately, I think Nick Chubb will get his 1,000 yards. Also, I’d be more willing to bet that Mayfield ties the rookie record, rather than set it against this tough Baltimore defense.

Next. 5 ways to become contenders in 2019. dark

However, despite these great rookie achievements, Lamar Jackson will be the only rookie starting quarterback in the playoffs. This team is hot, motivated and playing as complete as they have all season. Ravens squeak by, but the Browns have a lot to look forward to in 2019.

Final score: Baltimore 26, Cleveland 24

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