The Baltimore Ravens will be trying to pull off the season sweep and upset the surging Cleveland Browns Monday night at 8:15 p.m. ET in Cleveland.
The Ravens (7-5) snapped their three-game losing streak on Tuesday night after defeating the Dallas Cowboys 34-17. Baltimore dominated Dallas at the point of attack on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the Ravens out-gained the Cowboys 294-111 on the ground. Running back Gus Edwards was the game’s leading rusher with 101 yards on seven carries, while star quarterback Lamar Jackson added 94 rushing yards and a touchdown. Jackson was also efficient through the air, completing 12-of-17 passes for 107 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.
As for the Browns (9-3), they are coming off of an impressive 41-35 win over the Tennessee Titans last week. Coming into this game, a lot of the attention was on both teams’ running backs. However, the star of the game was quarterback Baker Mayfield, who completed 25-of-33 passes for 334 yards and four touchdowns. One of Mayfield’s touchdowns went wide receiver Jarvis Landry, which were apart of his eight receptions for 62 yards. The Browns could use another one of those performances against a Baltimore defense that is only allowing 243.9 passing yards per game this season.
TV Info
Date: Monday, Dec. 14
Time: 8.15 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Broadcast map
Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)
Ravens: #8 Overall — #21 offense, #7 defense, #2 special teams
Browns: #23 Overall — #12 offense, #19 defense, #27 special teams
DraftKings Sportsbook odds
Ravens: -1, -115
Browns: +1, +102
Total: 46.5
Fantasy football start/sit advice
Ravens
Lamar Jackson, QB, $7,000
No one knew how Lamar Jackson would perform after missing last week’s game with COVID-19. Would he be rusty or back to his old self? It was the latter as the dual-threat quarterback was dominated both on the ground and air. Jackson posted 25.6 fantasy points in Week 13, which is what we are used to seeing from him. ‘
Now he’ll get ready to face a Browns’ defense, which allowed Ryan Tannehill to throw for 389 yards last week. In their first matchup to begin the season, Jackson posted his second-best fantasy performance in 2020 with 27.5 fantasy points.
J.K. Dobbins, RB, $5,800
The second-round pick out of Ohio State is beginning to get more snaps and carries as of recent, which is good news for the Ravens’ offense and fantasy football managers. In Tuesday night’s game against the Cowboys, J.K. Dobbins had 71 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. It was the second consecutive game, where Dobbins had at least 70 rushing yards and a score.
Unlike Gus Edwards and Mark Ingram II, Dobbins brings an explosiveness to the Ravens’ backfield that makes the triple option and read-option game scary. This week, he’ll be going against a Browns’ defense that is allowing nine touchdowns and 16.3 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.
Browns
Jarvis Landry, WR, $6,300
The veteran wide receiver has now strung together two good games for the Browns. In Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jarvis Landry had eight receptions (11 targets) for 143 yards and a touchdown. Then last Sunday, he turned around and posted eight receptions (10 targets) for 62 yards and a touchdown. Now granted, Landry did this against two less than stellar defenses, however, he did his job.
This week, he’ll be trying to score a touchdown in his third consecutive game against a Ravens’ defense that has only given up eight touchdowns and 20.1 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers.
Nick Chubb, RB, $7,600
Last week, the Titans’ defense did something that not many teams have been able to do and that’s hold running back Nick Chubb under 100 yards. The dynamic power back had 80 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. The last time Chubb had less than 100 yards was back in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, where he suffered a knee injury.
This week, the 24-year-old running back might have a hard time reaching the century mark against the Ravens. Through 13 weeks, Baltimore’s defense has only given up four touchdowns to opposing running backs, which is impressive. But they are giving up 111.6 rushing yards per game this season.