Cleveland Browns' Deshaun Watson OUT; Can 'DTR' Beat Baltimore Ravens? How to Watch, Odds
The Baltimore Ravens head back to Cleveland - a town they called home from 1946 to 1995 (unofficially) - with hopes of getting back on track after a painful overtime 22-19 loss to the Colts on Sunday. ... and they are catching a break at Deshaun Watson's shoulder has him listed as out.
The Ravens wasted two overtime chances for a win and were eventually beaten by a 53-yard Matt Gay field goal for their first loss of the season. On the other side, the Browns have depended on their defense for a 2-1 record, with edge rusher Myles Garrett wrecking games and dominating opponents. Garrett leads virtually every prominent statistical category while playing at a historic level through three games.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Deshaun Watson
But Cleveland's strongest test comes on Sunday with Baltimore coming to town for a game that could go a long way for both teams to show they're a legitimate contender for the AFC North. The Browns' defense has allowed just one touchdown in two home wins, along with just 491 points through three games. That's the third-fewest yards to start a season since the 1999 Bucs allowed just 430 and the 1970 Lions allowed 431.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (L) and Browns QB Deshaun Watson - via FanStreamSports.com
Cleveland may need more than Garrett to step up to contain Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is fresh off a 200-yard passing and 100-yard rushing performance in the overtime loss to the Colts.
“He's one of the best athletes in the NFL that just happens to play the quarterback position,” said Cleveland defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. “If we saw running backs doing that, we wouldn’t bat an eye. We've got to tackle him like he’s a running back. Tackle him like he’s a wide receiver. Just because the ball is in his hand doesn’t mean that he’s still not a threat to run.”
There will be some outstanding players missing on Sunday, as Ravens wideouts Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman are out with injuries, while Browns starting quarterback Watson is being replaced by Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
WHAT: Baltimore Ravens (2-1) at Cleveland Browns (2-1)
WHERE: Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio (67,431)
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, 1 p.m. ET
TELEVISION: CBS / FuboTV (try it free)
RADIO: Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM) | 100.3 The Bull
Get your tickets at SI Tickets
Betting via SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Ravens +2.5 ... but maybe on the move without Watson?
TOTAL: 40.5
MONEYLINE: Ravens +125, Browns -150
