Can the Cleveland Browns turn the tides against the Ravens?

The Cleveland Browns track record against Baltimore has been lousy over the years. Will that ever change? It could start this weekend.

The fact that the Baltimore Ravens became what they are today, out of the ashes that used to be the Cleveland Browns, just adds salt to the wound every time these two AFC North teams compete against one another. If you were looking for a rivalry based on the numbers this really isn’t close to being a rivalry, even though the one team, in essence, stole the old team’s identity.

When late owner Art Modell moved the Browns to Baltimore in 1996 no one knew exactly what would happen in Cleveland. However, quickly after the move, the city of Cleveland and the NFL promised the community that the Browns would be back in 1999.

With the Browns restored to its rightful city, it seemed like the series between the two teams would be important and symbolic. But that hasn’t been the case over the years, as the Ravens have dominated the games and lead the overall series 34-11.

The last time Cleveland won against Baltimore was over two years ago and there have been countless periods of time where the Browns haven’t won games in even longer stretches, take 11 games at one point.

With this franchise desperate for a win against Baltimore on Sunday, to just stay in the playoff picture, will that mindset change anything from what’s been a pattern of dominance by the Ravens. I sure hope so.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield has helped defeat Baltimore twice in his career, but also suffered five losses. The percentages would suggest Mayfield and the Browns are due, but many strange things have happened in this matchup that usually don’t go the Browns’ way. Let’s look back at the duel between these two franchises and see where things have gone wrong for this club.