There is no bigger discrepancy in the NFL when it comes to performance on one side of the ball vs. the other than you’ll find in Cleveland, of course, where the Browns‘ fearsome, frothing defense not only ranks No. 1 in Pro Football Focus’ graded rankings (86.1), but it ranks a full 5.1 points better than No. 2 on the list, the Rams. The Browns have the league’s best defense, and it’s not close.
The cruel joke, though, is that the offense is the worst in the NFL, and the Browns offense is the NFL’s worst by a larger margin than the defense is the best. The grade is 54.5, and the grade for the No. 31 Titans is 61.2
Still, offenses don’t like facing the Browns, and that includes the Ravens, their 41-point outburst (mostly late in the game) in Week 2 notwithstanding. Baltimore comes to Cleveland on a windy Sunday here in Week 11, and though the team dodged a bullet with a knee injury to Lamar Jackson–he missed practice on Wednesday–they’ll be shorthanded elsewhere.
Ravens Will Be Without Justice Hill, Rashod Bateman
The Ravens have ruled out two important offensive weapons for Sunday’s meeting with the Browns. First up is backup running back Justice Hill, a key third-down back who has scored three touchdowns this season. He was ruled out with a toe injury. Third-year reserve Keaton Mitchell, who has 15 carries and 93 yards this season, will get more chances backing up Derrick Henry.
Also missing will be receiver Rashod Bateman, who has an ankle injury. Bateman is the Ravens’ No. 2 receiver this year, but has just 16 catches for 194 yards as the Ravens’ passing game took as hit through the early injuries to Jackson, who missed three games with a hamstring injury.
Browns Are 3-3 at Home vs. Lamar Jackson
Jackson comes in Week 11 with a 9-5 career record against the Browns, and a 3-3 mark in Cleveland. He knows what he is up against in terms of this defense.
“It is a divisional opponent,” Jackson said. “We see them twice a year. Sometimes [you] win some, and sometimes you lose some, but it’s part of football, I guess.”
Jackson also arrives a bit annoyed with the state of the Ravens offense, which scored 27 points against Minnesota last week but struggled in the red zone–Baltimore had four field goals in that game.
“If anything, we need more points,” Jackson said. “Our defense is playing great [and our] specials teams is playing great. [But on offense], I feel like we have great moments, but just being consistent, that’s what we’re chasing right now.”
Bad News for Lamar Jackson Ahead of Browns Week 11 Matchup