Can the Cleveland Browns turn the tides against the Ravens?

Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore: The Baker Mayfield versus Lamar Jackson Years

The two centerpieces of their current teams didn’t start going head-to-head until 2019. Mayfield got to fire away against the above-mentioned Joe Flacco in 2018 and scored a win the first time he faced the Ravens. That game was in the early stages of Mayfield’s career and the Browns edged out the Ravens 12-9 in overtime.

In that contest, Flacco threw the ball 56 times. Not a recipe to win any game anywhere. Mayfield wasn’t much better throwing the football 43 times. But it was a win against an opponent they rarely beat.

You might have thought the tides had turned when the 2019 season got underway. Mayfield faced Lamar Jackson in that September affair and the Browns and Mayfield dominated that game from start to finish. Mayfield was outstanding, going 20-of-30 and 342 yards through the air and one touchdown.

It also helped in that game that Cleveland’s running back Nick Chubb blew away his competition rumbling all day for 165 yards and three touchdowns. That included a beautiful 88-yard untouched scamper to pay dirt.

Since that win, the Browns have fallen victim to Baltimore. It’s not like the Ravens have been dominating these recent games. Jackson threw four interceptions two weeks ago against the Browns and they still managed to beat the good guys. Last season, in the freezing December air, up along Lake Erie, the Browns lost 47-42 in a home game that was an instant classic.

The game coming up on Sunday for the Browns is important for many reasons, mostly to stay in the playoff hunt. But being down 34-11 in the record books to a franchise that was literally once you, is a tougher pill to swallow. I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed for our favorite team Sunday.