It’s an AFC North showdown in Week 1 as the Baltimore Ravens host the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. With no preseason games this offseason, we don’t really know what either team actually looks like. But that isn’t going to stop us from predicting a winner and a loser in this contest.

Though it’s just the first game of the season and there are 15 more after this one, this could have playoff implications in a few months. The Ravens look the part of a Super Bowl contender while the Browns have enough talent to compete for a playoff spot. If that ends up being true, the winner of this game would have a major leg up in the division and in the playoff hunt already.

Let’s get into the nitty gritty as everyone here at Ravens Wire offers up our final score predictions for Week 1 between Baltimore and Cleveland.

Matthew Stevens:

Ravens 23 – Browns 20

With the number of injuries Cleveland has, I’d normally label this a slaughter waiting to happen. But Baltimore has a few of their own and it’s the very first game of the regular season after having no preseason games as a tune up. While I expect the Ravens to be a more prepared team overall, it would be shocking if we got anything close to midseason football from either team, leading to a pretty close finish.

Lamar Jackson connects on a few deep shots to Marquise Brown but Baltimore struggles a bit to contain tight end Austin Hooper and the rest of this explosive passing attack. But in the end, Baker Mayfield gets heavy pressure from Calais Campbell, forcing a turnover that allows the Ravens to ride out the clock to victory.

Neil Dutton:

Ravens 27 – Browns 10

The Ravens will not be seriously challenged in this game, establishing a big lead by the middle of the third quarter after bottling up the Browns ground game and forcing Baker Mayfield into a series of ill-advised throws. The healthy lead will be eaten into during the final quarter, but Baltimore will come out of the game with a W and a chance to see rookie running J.K.Dobbins play for much of the second half.

Kevin Oestreicher:

Ravens 30 – Browns 27

This game is going to be a close one. With no preseason, we can expect some sloppy football over the early portion of September, but that doesn’t mean that this game won’t be high scoring. The Ravens are going to come out strong and fast, but Cleveland is a team that is ready to prove doubters wrong as well. Despite the high score prediction, this will be a run heavy affair, and that favors the Ravens.

Alex Bente:

Ravens 27 – Browns 19

This is going to be the first true “real-game” test for both teams this season, with a lot of new variables in the mix. Not only has each team gone without the typical preseason, but there are new parts and storylines on both sides, as well as a lack of fans (and possible energy) in the stadium. There will undoubtedly be issues and adjustments for both Baltimore and Cleveland, so this one may not be as large an indicator of what’s to come as some may opine.

Still, the Ravens are playing at home and have the most talent and proven ability, not to mention established coaches and leadership, all of which provide a major edge at this level of the game. Plus, Baltimore is far better equipped to address the larger issues they faced in this matchup last season. And if the energy Lamar Jackson brings to this team continues, the Ravens are in for a lot more success.

Meanwhile, despite the Browns having plenty of talent of their own — certainly enough to give the home team a run for its money — there are just too many unanswered questions and past inconsistencies to comfortably give them a chance on Sunday. Look for both teams to operate mostly on the ground, but with talented playmakers seemingly abundant at wide receiver, there will no doubt be some shots taken here and there.

Sure, this one may have some surprises, but the Ravens just seem to have a few more aces in the hole, more than sufficient to start their 2020 campaign with a win.

James Trefry

Ravens 31 – Browns 17

The game starts out as a bit of an offensive showcase as quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield both throw touchdowns in the first half, making a halftime score of about 17-14 in favor of the Ravens. In the second half, Jackson takes off with his legs and scores multiple touchdowns to lead Baltimore to victory. The “put-away” touchdown will be punched in at the goal line by either Jackson or Mark Ingram on the ground.