PREDICTION:

( Gene Sweeney Jr, Baltimore Sun / November 24, 2011 )

As Suggs astutely pointed out Wednesday, the Ravens earned all the questions about their focus and preparation against so-called lesser teams, thanks to their performance against the Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks. But the bet here — and we’ve been fooled before — is that the Ravens understand how important winning the division and getting home-field advantage is, and they’ll manage to avoid another slip-up Sunday. It won’t be easy, but this team wouldn’t have it any other way. McCoy and the Browns offense will make a few plays and Cleveland’s improved defense will keep the team in the game. But when it’s all said and done, a couple of clutch drives directed by Flacco will push the Ravens to another important victory, and one step closer to their goal of finishing as the AFC’s No.1 seed.

RAVENS, 20-13