The AFC North is basically a meat grinder. People talk about the "Black and Blue" division like it’s just a cool marketing slogan, but if you watched the Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens matchups in 2025, you know it's a literal description. It’s messy. It’s loud. And honestly, it’s usually decided by a guy getting hit so hard his helmet flies into the third row.
Lamar Jackson has spent years turning the Browns into his personal highlight reel. But the 2025 season felt... different. Not because the Ravens suddenly got bad—they didn't—but because the Browns finally leaned into the chaos of their own roster.
The Week 2 Reality Check in Baltimore
Let’s look at that September 14th game at M&T Bank Stadium. On paper, it was a 41-17 blowout for the Ravens. But if you were there, or even just glued to the TV, you saw a game that was much tighter until the wheels fell off for Cleveland in the fourth.
Lamar Jackson was surgical. He threw four touchdowns and didn't turn the ball over once. He actually broke Aaron Rodgers’ career passer rating record during this game, which is wild when you think about how many people still claim he "can't throw." He can. He did.
The Browns were starting Joe Flacco—yes, that Joe Flacco—returning to the city that built his statue. It was surreal. Flacco moved the ball okay for a 40-year-old, but the Ravens' defense is a different beast under John Harbaugh. Roquan Smith’s 63-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter was the "turn out the lights" moment.
One thing most people missed? Derrick Henry. The Browns' defense, led by a relentless Myles Garrett, actually bottled him up. Henry had his lowest output in years, averaging a measly 2.1 yards per carry. Cleveland’s rookie DT Mason Graham looked like a man among boys, even in a loss.
Why the Week 11 Rematch Flipped the Script
By the time the Ravens traveled to Cleveland in November, the narrative had shifted. The Ravens were 4-5, clawing back from a disastrous start. The Browns were 2-7, playing for pride and draft picks.
Myles Garrett happened.
Garrett put on a clinic, recording four sacks. He was in the backfield before Lamar could even finish his dropback. Cleveland held a 16-10 lead at halftime, and for a second, it looked like the upset was on. But this is where the Ravens' DNA kicks in.
They don't panic.
Even with Lamar struggling (0 TDs and 3 INTs over a three-game stretch around that time), the Ravens found a way. Tight end Mark Andrews scored on a bizarre 35-yard go-ahead run with two minutes left. Seriously, a tight end run. That’s the kind of stuff that happens when these two teams meet. Ravens won 23-16, sweeping the season series, but the physical toll on both rosters was massive.
The Quarterback Carousel and What It Means
The Browns' quarterback situation is a fever dream. You’ve got:
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- Joe Flacco: The veteran bridge.
- Dillon Gabriel: The rookie spark.
- Shedeur Sanders: The future (maybe).
- Deshaun Watson: Sitting on the Reserve/PUP list.
It’s hard to build consistency when the guy taking snaps changes every month. In the Week 2 game, we even saw Dillon Gabriel come in late and throw a touchdown to Dylan Sampson. It felt like a glimpse of 2026, but it wasn't enough to stop the Baltimore machine.
Lamar Jackson, meanwhile, carries a 10-4 career record against Cleveland. He owns them. Yet, the margin for error is shrinking. The Browns’ secondary, with guys like Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II, has figured out how to make Lamar work for every single yard. They don't give up the 60-yard bombs as easily as they used to.
The Stats That Actually Matter
Most people just look at the score. Look deeper. In their last meeting, the Ravens only averaged 2.1 yards per rush. That is atrocious for a Baltimore team. If Cleveland ever gets their offense to rank in the top 20, the Ravens are in serious trouble in this rivalry.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s this idea that the Ravens just "bully" the Browns. That hasn't been true for a while. Cleveland has won three of the last five games played in Cleveland (before the 2025 slip-up). The "home-field" advantage in this rivalry is a real thing because of the crowd energy. Huntington Bank Field—formerly FirstEnergy—gets hostile.
Also, the "Lamar is a runner" trope is dead. In the 41-17 win, Lamar only ran the ball twice for 13 yards. He beat them with his arm. Devontez Walker and DeAndre Hopkins (who the Ravens snagged to bolster the room) were finding holes in the zone all day.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you’re betting on or just analyzing the next time these two meet, keep these three things in mind:
- Watch the DT vs. RB matchup: If Mason Graham continues his trajectory, the Ravens' run game will struggle. Don't assume Derrick Henry will hit 100 yards just because he's "The King."
- Pressure is the key: Lamar’s passer rating drops significantly when he’s sacked more than three times. Myles Garrett is the literal "Lamar-stopper" if he gets help from the other side.
- The Flacco Factor is over: Expect the Browns to fully commit to either Gabriel or Sanders by the 2026 opener. The "nostalgia tour" won't win games in the AFC North.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the Browns' offensive line health. They gave up 64 sacks in 2025—the second-most in the league. No matter who is playing quarterback for Cleveland, if they don't fix the tackles, the Ravens' Odafe Oweh will continue to have career days against them. Check the injury reports specifically for Jack Conklin and Joel Bitonio; when they are out, the Cleveland offense becomes a stagnant mess.