The Baltimore Ravens' Week 2 clash with the Cleveland Browns is expected to be an uncompetitive game in the eyes of most. However, anyone who watches the AFC North knows this matchup could get chippy real quick. They always bring some of the most physical games of the NFL season.
Anytime two AFC North foes match up, anything can happen. No matter how heavily favored one team could be, it could prove to be one of the better games on the NFL schedule that week.
After a disappointing start to Baltimore’s season, they will look to get back on track in Week 2. Here are three bold Ravens predictions for Sunday’s showdown.
3 bold predictions for Ravens' heated AFC North clash with Browns
Defense gets two takeaways
Baltimore’s defense needs to find some momentum. They were embarrassed on Sunday Night Football in Week 1, as a perceived top unit in football heading into the season, crumbled under pressure in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills. They should look miles better in Week 2, though.
Cleveland quarterback Joe Flacco is known for getting very pass-happy. The Ravens’ defense will have more than enough opportunities to force their first turnover since Week 18 of the 2024 campaign, but let’s go with two. They preached about it all offseason to get more takeaways, and now it is time to see it translate on the field.
Flacco threw two interceptions against the Cincinnati Bengals last week, and Baltimore cannot let him come out of Week 2 unscathed. The secondary should get at least one interception, and we could also see a forced fumble. Rookie running backs Dylan Sampson and Quinshon Judkins could get a lot of work on the ground, and the defense could force rookie mistakes.
Mark Andrews leads receivers, scores touchdown
Tight end Mark Andrews had a disappointing season opener. Despite Isaiah Likely being out, he posted just one reception for five yards. He will get another opportunity with the tight end room to himself against Cleveland, and a big day should be in store.
In both their matchups last year, Andrews found the end zone. In Week 8, he hauled in five passes for 36 yards and a touchdown, and in Week 18, he caught four for 54 yards and another touchdown. The 30-year-old always seems to have Cleveland’s number, and he can prove that on Sunday.
Secondary holds Browns to under 200 yards passing
Baltimore’s secondary is out to prove itself on Sunday. They could not stop a nosebleed in their season opener, as the operations in the backend lacked communication. However, there was a similar story told early in the 2024 campaign, and they turned that around later in the year.
The unit hopes to find a rhythm earlier this year, though. It took them almost 10 weeks before they transformed into one of the NFL’s elite units last season, and they cannot afford to wait that long this year. It can start in Week 2 against Flacco.
Flacco does not throw for under 200 yards very often. He threw for 290 against the Bengals, and there were only three games in seven outings in 2024 where he failed to reach that mark. The talent in the secondary is there to limit his production, though. Browns' wide receiver Jerry Jeudy said there were no challenges in facing the Ravens’ secondary, so they may be playing with a chip on their shoulder to shut Cleveland down.