Baltimore @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 17, 2017 ) Baltimore 27, Cleveland 10

The Cleveland Browns have already matched their victory total from the past two seasons combined and will try to turn the tables on an old nemesis when they host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in an AFC North matchup. Rookie Baker Mayfield will make his second career start as Cleveland seeks to end a five-game slide against the Ravens.

Baltimore has won 18 of the past 20 meetings in the series, but Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale wants his team to know these are not the same old Browns, comparing the No. 1 overall draft pick to two of the NFL's all-time greats. "I already told the defense this -- I think Baker Mayfield is this generation's Brett Favre or John Elway, if you will," Martindale said. "Obviously, he's playing well because they scored 42 points last week against Oakland, and they're (in) the top five of scoring offense." Cleveland offensive coordinator Todd Haley sought to quell the hype surrounding Mayfield, knowing the Browns face a daunting challenge against a Baltimore defense that has surrendered 14 points or fewer in each of its three wins. "I'm excited about a lot of things he's doing, but like I said, this week will be a real test," Haley said of Mayfield. "We'll know a lot more come Sunday evening."

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Ravens -3. O/U: 45.5

ABOUT THE RAVENS (3-1): Joe Flacco continued his strong start to the season by throwing for two touchdowns and 363 yards in last week's 26-14 win at Pittsburgh, pushing his season total to 1,252 yards. While Baltimore's overhauled wide receiving corps of John Brown, Willie Snead and Michael Crabtree has combined for 33 receptions and five touchdowns, the passing attack could get a further boost with rookie tight end Hayden Hurst expected to make his NFL debut. Starting running back Alex Collins missed practice Thursday, although the team termed his absence as precautionary. The Ravens rank second overall in total defense, allowing 275.8 yards per game.

ABOUT THE BROWNS (1-2-1): Mayfield has provided an undeniable spark to Cleveland's offense, putting up 63 points in six-plus quarters, but he also showed the downside of a rookie quarterback by committing four turnovers in his first start. Another rookie, Nick Chubb, scored on touchdown runs of 63 and 41 yards at Oakland and is line for more playing time in the backfield behind Carlos Hyde, who rushed for 82 yards last week and scored his fifth touchdown. Starting wideouts Jarvis Landry and Antonio Callaway each practiced on a limited basis Thursday after sitting out Wednesday and are expected to play. Cleveland's defense ranks 24th against the pass (278.3 yards).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Flacco has 11 touchdowns passes and five interceptions in his last six games versus Cleveland.

2. Browns DE Myles Garrett has 4.0 sacks, three tackles for loss and three forced fumbles in his last three division games.

3. Ravens CB Jimmy Smith will make his season debut after serving a four-game suspension.

PREDICTION: Ravens 23, Browns 20