The stakes couldn’t be higher for the Baltimore Ravens (11-5) as they host the Cleveland Browns (3-13) on Saturday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium. With a victory, the Ravens will clinch their second consecutive AFC North title and lock up the No. 3 seed in the playoffs.
A loss, however, could drop Baltimore to the No. 5 seed, forcing them to hit the road in the postseason and opening the door for the Pittsburgh Steelers to snatch the division crown.
But this game isn’t just about playoff implications. Lamar Jackson is on the brink of NFL history, needing a passer rating of 134.4 or higher to surpass Aaron Rodgers’ single-season record of 122.5. Jackson has already hit that mark seven times this season and enters the game with career highs in passing yards (3,955), touchdowns (39), and a quarterback rating of 121.6.
However, Jackson has made it clear his focus is solely on getting the win.
“If I’m in my childhood mindset breaking a record, yes,”Jackson said earlier this week via Ravens.com. “But I’m trying to win games, so it really matter. If it happens, it happens. If it probably will happen sometime down the line.”
The Ravens have been in dominant form of late, outscoring their opponents 100-33 over the past three weeks. A strong performance against Cleveland would not only seal the division but also send Baltimore into the playoffs with significant momentum.
Key Ravens inactives
Baltimore will be without running back Justice Hill, who has been dealing with a concussion and illness. Cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis is also out with a hamstring injury, which could leave the secondary slightly thin. Tight end Charlie Kolar (forearm) and offensive lineman Patrick Mekari (illness) are listed as questionable, but both were limited in practice this week.
Despite battling an illness earlier this week, left tackle Ronnie Stanley has been cleared to play, which is a massive boost for Baltimore’s offensive line as they face Cleveland’s defensive front.
Key Browns inactives
Cleveland will be missing several key contributors, including tight end David Njoku (knee), running backs Jerome Ford (ankle) and Pierre Strong (concussion), and cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder). Quarterback Bailey Zappe is expected to start for the Browns, and he’ll likely have his hands full against Baltimore’s pass rush, which is tied for third in the league in sacks.
Full Ravens inactives list for Week 18
- WR: Anthony Miller
- WR: Nelson Agholor
- FS: Marcus Williams
- RB: Justice Hill
- LB: Adissa Isaac
- C: Nick Samac
- DE: Chris Wormley
Full Browns inactives list for Week 18
- QB: Jameis Winston
- CB: Denzel Ward
- CB: Kahlef Hailassie
- LB: Devin Bush
- LB: Jordan Hicks
- WR: Michael Woods II
- DT: Dalvin Tomlinson