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Breaking down the Cleveland Browns and the AFC North

By Greg Newland

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 22: Sione Takitaki #44 of the Cleveland Browns attempts to tackle Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore defeated Cleveland 31-15. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 22: Sione Takitaki #44 of the Cleveland Browns attempts to tackle Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore defeated Cleveland 31-15. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 11: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball during the first half against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Baltimore Ravens

As much as Browns fans don’t want to hear it, the Baltimore Ravens have had a tremendous offseason and will have a huge chip on their shoulder in 2020. After edging out the Kansas City Chiefs for the number one playoff seed in the AFC playoffs last year, a divisional-round loss to the Tennessee Titans was extremely disappointing.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson broke all kinds of rushing records and would win the MVP of the NFL, but all would be forgotten as many expected at least a trip to the AFC Championship game. While the Ravens appear to still be in the driver’s seat to win the AFC North again, Jackson must continue to prove he can stay healthy.

The last two seasons experts have said Jackson will get hurt or defenses will figure out the Ravens offense. To this point neither has happened, and I’m not convinced either ever will. Jackson appears to always be the best athlete on the field and his passing skills continue to improve.

The additions of defensive lineman Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe will bode well for the defense in 2020, as well as retaining talents Mathew Judon, Pernell McPhee, and Jimmy Smith. Not to mention the Ravens had one of the best drafts in the NFL for 2020. Running back J.K. Dobbins is a perfect fit and linebacker Patrick Queen and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike look to be day one starters. Not to mention Malik Harrison (linebacker) and James Proche (wide receiver) are rated as two of the biggest steals of the entire draft.

Losing long time guard Marshal Yanda to retirement will be a small set-back, but don’t look for it to hitch the offense much at all in 2020. The Ravens will be favored in most of their games next season, and without serious injuries could be the second or third favorite in the NFL to win the Super Bowl. Cleveland has a decent draw with a Week 1 matchup in Baltimore, and then a Monday Night game at Cleveland.  Winning one of those games will be huge for the Browns to have a shot at the playoffs.

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