Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 23rd, at 1:00 PM EST
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Betting Odds: CLE +6.5, 46.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Jacoby Brissett (Sit)
Jacoby Brissett turned 45 pass attempts, his most on the season to date, into 21 completions for 266 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions against New England. If there is anything Brissett has been consistent about, it’s that this was his fourth game in a row with 21 completions. The Patriots handed Cleveland their third loss in a row, and this aggressive approach by Brissett is not the type of play you’ll want to chase. Look for the run game to be featured more against the Ravens this week, keeping Brissett firmly off the fantasy radar.
Running Backs
Nick Chubb (Start, RB1), Kareem Hunt (Start, RB2)
Week 6 got out of hand for the Browns, as Nick Chubb ended up rushing for his lowest total on the year with 56 yards. Kareem Hunt only had four carries. Cleveland ended up losing by 23 points, so it was clear that game script was not in favor of the Browns’ running attack. This week won’t be much easier against the Ravens, and it’s worth mentioning Baltimore did just allow Saquon Barkley to rush for 83 yards on 22 carries, with one touchdown, which ultimately could have been two on the day if Barkley didn’t slide to keep the clock running. Chubb should be back on the RB1 radar, and Hunt a viable RB2 if Cleveland can [attempt to] establish the run early.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Amari Cooper (Start, WR3), Donovan Peoples-Jones (Sit), David Njoku (Start, TE1)
Amari Cooper once again saw 12 targets, but his fantasy day was saved with a touchdown in the fourth quarter, as he only caught four passes for 44 yards. Donovan Peoples-Jones had himself a decent day, catching four of five targets for 74 yards. Even so, DPJ’s box score didn’t move the needle enough to warrant a start, unless you find yourself in a BYE-week bind with the likes of Stefon Diggs, A.J. Brown, and Justin Jefferson not available. Cooper remains on the WR3, with WR2 upside trajectory as a target hog. David Njoku had a middling day in the loss to the Patriots, catching three of six targets for 58 yards. The targets were good enough for second most on the day behind Cooper, and you can stream Njoku against a Ravens defense that has given up the 17th most fantasy points to tight ends on the season.
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson (Start, QB1)
It was another struggle fest for the Ravens late in the game, as has been the case for them at times this season. On the final two drives for the Baltimore offense, Lamar Jackson was responsible for two turnovers: an interception and then a lost fumble on a strip-sack. Jackson ended up completing 17 of 32 passes for 210 yards and a passing touchdown to Mark Andrews. His ceiling remains top-level, and he’s set to face a Browns defense that just allowed New England rookie Bailey Zappe to throw for 309 yards and two touchdowns.
Running Backs
Kenyan Drake (Start, FLEX), J.K. Dobbins (Sit)
It was all good just (two) weeks ago. J.K. Dobbins had a big game against the Bills in Week 4, but came back to earth the following week against the Bengals. In Week 6 against the Giants, he only had 15 yards on seven carries, and after the game, it was reported that his knee “tightened up.” That’s certainly not what you want to hear of a player coming off a torn ACL from last season. You’ll want to monitor his practice logs this week, but it’ll be hard to trust him to produce, let alone be a factor all game. As of Wednesday, Dobbins was a DNP. If Kenyan Drake is [back] on your league’s wire, he is most certainly worth an add. He turned 10 carries against New York into 119 yards and a touchdown, as well as one reception for 8 yards. Drake can find himself on a FLEX with RB2 upside trajectory this week, as the Browns’ defense has given up the third most fantasy points to RBs this season.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Devin Duvernay (Sit), Rashod Bateman (Start if active, WR3), Demarcus Robinson (Sit), Mark Andrews (Start, TE1)
As of Monday, head coach Jim Harbaugh suggested that Rashod Bateman is “close” to returning from his foot sprain. You’ll have to monitor his practice status throughout the week, but if Bateman were to be active, he can be treated as a WR3 in an offense that is starving for pass-catchers other than Andrews. As of Wednesday, he was back at practice. The likes of Devin Duvernay and Demarcus Robinson are not contributors to the level of starting them, even with some pivotal WRs on their BYE around the league.
On the tight end front, not much to say other than Andrews is a locked-in TE1. He’s coming off an 11-target (seven receptions, one for a touchdown), 106-yard game against the Giants. It’s worth mentioning he was a DNP on Wednesday, but it was chalked up to being a rest day.