5 Bold predictions for Cleveland Browns vs. the Ravens

1. Birds all but eliminated

At 6-5 with a Tuesday night game vs the Dallas Cowboys, the expectation is for the Ravens to be 7-5 and on the outside looking in for the playoffs. A win vs. the Browns still makes their path difficult, but with the Jaguars, Giants, and Bengals to end the season, the Ravens can easily run the table and be 11-5.

Bottom line for Browns fans, take care of business now, and control your own destiny. There’s no sense in having to root for another team in week 17 just to help get the Browns in. This is a prime-time Monday night game that the Browns must show up and prove they are a contender and not a pretender.

Look for the Browns to bounce back from a tough week one loss in Baltimore and take care of business to move to 10-3. Not only does this nearly guarantee a playoff birth for the Browns, but it will also likely stick a fork in the Ravens’ chances of making it. They would not be eliminated, but would need help from the Dolphins, Colts, Titans, and/or Raiders to get in.

The offense won’t put up 41 vs. a tough Ravens defense, but a strong game will allow for 30 or so points, and the new and improved run-defense will make things tough for Jackson and the Ravens offense. There will be some big passing plays given up. Cleveland’s defense will crowd the line to take away the run and screens, but ultimately the defense will do just enough to get the Browns a win.

The only other better scenario for Browns fans would be eliminating the Steelers, and since they may be the Super Bowl favorites at this time, let’s just take the second best thing and eliminate the birds from Baltimore. A 10-3 victory Tuesday after five straight will feel fantastic next week.