The Baltimore Ravens will square off against Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns twice this season following Watson’s six-game suspension.
On Monday, former federal judge Sue L. Robinson ruled that Watson would be suspended six games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. This suspension is subject to change as the NFL has the right to file an appeal within three days.
Reports earlier this summer indicated that the league was urging for an indefinite suspension of at least one year, and given the circumstances, the six-game suspension feels extremely lenient.
As it stands, the Ravens will face Watson’s Browns two times this season, with their first meeting potentially serving as Watson’s first game back from suspension.
A six-game suspension for Deshaun Watson means the Ravens would get the first crack at playing Watson in a Browns uniform during Week 7 in Baltimore
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) August 1, 2022
Watson is 0-2 against the Ravens in his career, with both losses coming to Lamar Jackson as the opposing starter
NFL fans everywhere when the Ravens are terrorizing Deshaun Watson week 7 pic.twitter.com/qlf9wceIzY
— Ramey (@HoodieRamey) August 1, 2022
Ravens will prepare for an intense series against Deshaun Watson and the Browns
Watson hasn’t played in a game since 2020 when he threw for 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns, arguably the peak of his then short-lived career.
Now that Watson is re-entering the NFL two years later, Ravens fans will likely garner the support of many around the league hoping to take Watson down.
Baltimore must get their pass-rushing unit up to speed by Week 7 to give the Ravens the best chance of ruining Watson’s debut on the Browns. Odafe Oweh, Justin Houston, and Daelin Hayes will have crucial roles to play on the edge while the team’s interior defense must hold down the fort as well.
Unless the league appeals for a longer suspension for Watson, Baltimore should be prepared to face Watson twice this year. Prior history favors Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, but all eyes will be upon Watson as he attempts his comeback on the Browns.
Playing against Watson should give Baltimore extra reason to crush its division rivals as the team has its own triumphant comeback to complete in 2022.
Watson was a scary quarterback back in 2020, but Lamar Jackson and the Ravens can instill just as much fear in their opponents — the Cleveland Browns included — this upcoming season.