Week 18 Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns: AFC North Division Showdown, Ravens Need to Finish Strong

Win and Secure Home-Field Advantage

For the Baltimore Ravens, this week is simple: win the game, win the AFC North. Then they can prepare for a home playoff game against either the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Los Angeles Chargers. The only task left in the 2024 regular season is to beat the Cleveland Browns. Baltimore should have no problem taking care of business at home—Cleveland is currently an 18-point underdog, the largest NFL point spread since 2021. If the Steelers lose to the Bengals on Saturday night, the Ravens would clinch the division regardless of their own result.

Since the bye week, the Ravens have built momentum, steamrolling their way to the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the NFL. The offense has continued to be effective behind MVP candidate Lamar Jackson. Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Monken have done an excellent job of combining pass and run plays to keep defenses off balance. Lamar has utilized all his weapons this year: Mark Andrews could set a personal best for touchdowns, Rashod Bateman has had the best year of his career, and Zay Flowers became the first Ravens wide receiver to be selected to the Pro Bowl. Running back Derrick Henry continues to thrive, showcasing why he is a future Hall of Famer.

Offensive Power: The Read Option Play

One of the Ravens' most successful plays is the read option. This play forces the defense to cover both Jackson and Henry—two of the most dangerous runners in NFL history. There were minor concerns entering the season about Henry. He had a down year in Tennessee, was on the wrong side of 30, and had operated in a more traditional offense. Henry’s strength comes from his ability to generate momentum, typically operating as the tailback eight yards behind the line of scrimmage. Now that he and Lamar have spent a year together, they have perfected the read option, cementing Henry’s status as an all-time great. Having those two next to each other makes the Ravens' offense nearly unstoppable. Expect this play to remain a staple throughout the postseason.

Defensive Resurgence: Secondary Stepping Up

The Ravens' defense has shown outstanding improvement, particularly in the secondary. Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton has been a key figure in this resurgence. Known as a versatile player who can line up at linebacker, slot corner, or deep safety, Hamilton is now playing more than two-thirds of his snaps deep. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey praised Hamilton’s leadership, which has kept the defense focused and freed up playmakers like Roquan Smith to dominate. Since Week 11, when Hamilton shifted to a more traditional safety role alongside Ar’Darius Washington, the Ravens have boasted a top-five defense.

Coaching Masterclass: Zach Orr's Influence

Defensive coordinator Zach Orr deserves significant credit for the defensive turnaround. He inherited a talented unit from former coordinator Mike Macdonald but made key adjustments that have paid off. Orr maintained a disruptive front seven, shortening the time opposing quarterbacks have to make plays. While the Ravens led the league in sacks last year, they currently rank second this year with 52. Additionally, they boast the league’s best run defense, allowing only 81.6 rushing yards per game. Despite this dominance, the defense had been vulnerable to chunk plays earlier in the season. Following a narrow Week 10 victory over the Bengals, Orr made bold decisions, including benching safety Marcus Williams and releasing Eddie Jackson due to performance and attitude issues. These moves have vindicated Orr and showcased his ability to make tough calls that benefit the team. His leadership has many speculating that he could be a future head coach.

Browns' Struggles and Key Absences

The Cleveland Browns are in full rebuild mode, aiming for a high draft pick. They’ve scored a combined 16 points over their last three games and were torched last week by former Ravens backup quarterback Tyler Huntley. With Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson all sidelined, Cleveland will start journeyman quarterback Bailey Zappe, who spent much of the season on the Chiefs' practice squad. Other key players, including cornerback Denzel Ward and tight end David Njoku, will also miss the game. Despite their struggles, Cleveland has managed to win two of their three games against division rivals, so Baltimore must remain focused and disciplined.

Game Outlook and Final Thoughts

With home-field advantage and a potent combination of offensive firepower and defensive resilience, the Ravens are expected to close out the regular season on a high note. If they execute their game plan and limit mistakes, this matchup should be a convincing victory. The Browns will likely sleepwalk through this game, but 2 of their 3 wins came against division opponents, the Ravens and the Steelers. As long as the Ravens can continue to play smart football and stop All-Pro rusher Myles Garrett from getting his hands on the ball, this should be a walkover.

Final Score Prediction:

Ravens 38, Browns 10

Baltimore is poised to claim the AFC North title and enter the playoffs with momentum as a team no one wants to face.