Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 28th, at 8:20 PM EST
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Betting Odds: CLE +4, 46.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: NBC
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield (Sit)
Even in a 13-10 win, Baker Mayfield and the Browns heard the boo-birds from the home crowd against the Lions in Week 11; and Mayfield “didn’t seem to care”. Well, he was not efficient against the worst team in the league, completing 15 of 29 passes for 176 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. He hasn’t thrown for over 200 yards since Week 9, and the Browns find themselves at the bottom of the AFC North, despite a 6-5 record. Mayfield is not a recommended streamer this week, even with the Ravens giving up the eighth-most fantasy points to QB’s this season.
Running Backs
Nick Chubb (Start, RB1), Kareem Hunt (Start if active, RB2)
Welcome back Nick Chubb. After missing Week 10 due to COVID-19, Chubb reclaimed the backfield from D’Ernest Johnson and tallied 130 yards on 22 carries, as well as two receptions on two targets for 14 yards and Mayfield’s lone touchdown pass. This may be the week where we see the return of Kareem Hunt (calf), as he is expected to practice this week. If Hunt is activated, consider him a low-end RB2. Chubb’s RB1 stature does not change, as he’d likely lead the charge as the focal point to the Browns offense week after week; and that’s with major uncertainty looming in the Cleveland WR room.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Jarvis Landry (Sit), Donovan Peoples-Jones (Sit), David Njoku (Sit), Austin Hooper (Sit)
Can the Browns borrow Odell Beckham Jr. for this week? In Week 11, Donovan Peoples-Jones was inactive due to a groin injury, and Jarvis Landry was in and out of the game with a knee injury; aggravating the same knee that has derailed his season. At the time of writing, the severity is unclear for Landry, as is with DP-J. In any case, I would be hard-pressed to start either of them. Rashard Higgins would be the de facto WR1 should his fellow receivers miss this game, but I wouldn’t rush to start him either. Despite the injuries to the wide receivers, tight ends David Njoku and Austin Hooper may be forced into an uptick of the target share, but it would be hard to insert either into my lineup; and that’s with the Ravens giving up the fourth-most fantasy points to TE’s on the year.
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson (Start, QB1)
Well, at the last-minute sickness that kept Lamar Jackson out of Week 11 wasn’t COVID. Jackson did not look himself in any footage we saw Sunday morning, which prompted the decision for Baltimore to start Tyler Huntley. Surely the Bears took care of business, right? Wrong. Huntley did turn the ball over once (interception) but otherwise completed 26 of 36 passes for 219 yards in a 16-13 win against the Bears. One would assume Jackson will be ready to go for the Sunday night showdown, and you can consider him a QB1 against a Browns defense that has given up the 12th most fantasy points to the position this year.
Running Backs
Devonta Freeman (Start, RB2), Latavius Murray (Start if you must, FLEX)
The Baltimore backfield has taken quite the ride this season; from summer injuries to a rotation of RB’s well past their prime. It’s been the Devonta Freeman show since Week 6 when Latavius Murray went down with an ankle injury. Murray returned to action against the Bears but was still out-carried by Freeman 22 to 12. Freeman turned 16 carries into just 49 yards, but did find the end zone in game-winning fashion. One would think Murray will still get touches, but likely won’t output high production on a week-to-week basis. Freeman can remain on the RB2 scale simply because he’s been the healthiest option to date for the Ravens.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Marquise Brown (Start if active, WR2), Rashod Bateman (Start, WR3), Mark Andrews (Start, TE1)
Rashod Bateman owners were sent on a rollercoaster ride between Saturday and Sunday morning. With Marquise Brown (thigh) being ruled out Saturday afternoon, Bateman was lining up to be a strong play – and then news broke Sunday AM about Lamar being ruled out. That dropped Bateman’s stock significantly, and if you stuck by him, you weren’t rewarded. Huntley did target him six times, but he only caught three passes for 29 yards; good for just 5.90 points in full-PPR formats. At the time of writing, it’s unclear if Hollywood will suit up this week, but it does help that the game is on Sunday night. Assuming Jackson is back under center, Bateman will be worthy of a start. The QB situation was no bother to tight end Mark Andrews, as he had eight receptions on 10 targets for 73 yards. If he has Action Jackson back throwing him the ball, look for another productive outing out of Andrews this week.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)