Ravens vs. Browns: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Radio, Game Time and More

In a game that could get them one step closer to an AFC North division crown, the 8-3 Baltimore Ravens will travel to Cleveland to take on the 4-7 Browns in Week 13. The Ravens currently hold a tiebreaker over the Pittsburgh Steelers for the division lead.

Baltimore has been a bit of a schizophrenic team this season as it has big wins over teams like the Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers, but has lost to the likes of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks.

With that in mind, the Browns won't necessarily be a walk in the park. After blowing a late lead against the Bengals last week, the Browns' already-slim playoff hopes are now virtually non-existent. That isn't to say they won't want to beat the Ravens, though, as it is always a major rivalry when the "new" Browns face the "old" Browns.

Most are probably chalking this up as a Ravens victory already, and while that is the most likely scenario, the Ravens have defied logic at times this season. Because of that, the Browns could pose a threat, especially at home.

Where: Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio

When: Sunday, Dec. 4 at 4:05 p.m. ET

Watch: CBS; WJZ 13 (Baltimore) and WOIO 19 (Cleveland)

Listen: WIYY 97.9 FM (Baltimore) and WMMS 100.7 FM (Cleveland); Sirius XM Satellite Radio: XM Internet 863 (Baltimore) and XM 234 (Internet 868, Cleveland)

Live Streaming Audio: NFL.com Audio Pass ($29.99 for year, $27.99 team specific, $9.99 a month)

Betting Line: Baltimore (-7)

What's at Stake?

For the Browns this game is mostly about pride and trying to build for the future, but for the Ravens this game is huge for playoff positioning. If the season ended today, Baltimore would win the AFC North, but there is still over a month remaining, meaning the Ravens can't afford to take anyone lightly.

When a winnable game presents itself, the Ravens have to take advantage. That is something they haven't always done this season with the Jaguars and Seahawks being prime examples. Baltimore needs to prove that it is equally capable of beating inferior opponents as it is beating teams on the same level. A convincing win over Cleveland on the road would accomplish just that.

Ravens Injury Report

Questionable: RB Ryan Mahaffey (concussion), RB Anthony Allen (thigh), DL Arthur Jones (head), LB Ray Lewis (foot), LB Dannell Ellerbe (thigh), DB Chris Carr (back)

Browns Injury Report

Questionable: RB Montario Hardesty (calf), RB Owen Marecic (head), DL Jayme Mitchell (ankle), DL Kaluka Maiava (knee), LB Quinton Spears (hamstring), DB T.J. Ward (foot, finger)

Probable: QB Colt McCoy (elbow)

Fantasy Start 'Em, Sit 'Em and Sleeper

Start: RB Ray Rice (BAL)

Ravens running back Ray Rice hasn't been his explosive self over the past several weeks, but he has a great opportunity to return to form against the Browns and their 29th-ranked run defense. Rice has just one 100-yard game over the past six weeks, but he should get that and then some against Cleveland.

Sit: RB Peyton Hillis (CLE)

After missing several weeks with a nagging hamstring injury, Browns running back and Madden 12 cover boy Peyton Hillis returned to action last week against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hillis fared quite well against the Bengals' stout defense, picking up 65 yards on 19 carries. I wouldn't expect anything better than that against Baltimore's defense this week.

Sleeper: WR Greg Little (CLE)

It's true that the Ravens have the league's fifth-ranked pass defense, but that doesn't mean that Browns rookie receiver Greg Little is a must-sit candidate. He has really heated up lately with at least five grabs in three consecutive games, and if Cleveland is playing from behind, Little will likely be a popular target of quarterback Colt McCoy.

What They're Saying

Despite the fact that the Baltimore Ravens currently sit in first place in the AFC North with an 8-3 record, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has often been criticized. The offense has been an enigma of sorts and was a big reason for each of the team's three losses. Regardless of public perception, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh thinks Cameron has done a good job this season, according to Edward Lee of The Baltimore Sun.

"

Cam has done a great job with leading that side of it. We’ve had to kind of search for – week to week – ways to find a way to do the best we can to win football games. Sometimes we’ve done better than other times – all of us. So that’s where we’re at.

 

"

Ravens Player To Watch: RB Ray Rice

The Ravens offense has been up and down this season as a unit and much of that is due to the inconsistent play of running back Ray Rice. While Rice has shown the capability to take over a game, he has also completely disappeared on more than one occasion. That is something that simply can't happen on Sunday.

Cleveland has one of the league's worst run defenses, meaning a huge game is there for the taking for Rice. I'm not sure quarterback Joe Flacco can be trusted in big moments yet, so it is absolutely imperative that Rice gets going prior to the playoffs. This could serve as the jumping-off point in a late-season tear.

Browns Player To Watch: QB Colt McCoy

Browns quarterback Colt McCoy is far from the sexiest quarterback option in the NFL, but if nothing else he is consistent. He isn't normally going to go off for a huge game, but he does just enough to help the Browns hang around. He will have to do just that on Sunday if Cleveland is going to have any chance to pull off the upset.

McCoy likely won't be able to rely on the running game due to Baltimore's stout run defense, so it will likely be up to him. They key against the Ravens defense is sustaining drives and keeping them on the field. If McCoy can execute the short-passing game to perfection, then the Browns could surprise the Ravens.

Key Matchup: WR Anquan Boldin vs. DB Joe Haden

While most casual observers aren't aware, the Browns have the top-ranked pass defense in the NFL. Perhaps the biggest reason for that is cornerback Joe Haden. It hasn't taken long for Haden to develop into an elite corner and he very well may be approaching the echelon of the New York Jets' Darrelle Revis.

Making Baltimore's offense one-dimensional could really help the Browns in this game, and Haden could be just the guy to do it. The Ravens' top wide receiver is clearly Anquan Boldin, so Haden will likely be shadowing him for the majority of Sunday's game. If Haden locks Boldin down like he does most other receivers, the Baltimore offense could have a tough time.

On the Hot Seat: RB Peyton Hillis

With his contract up at the end of the season, Browns running back Peyton Hillis is playing for a fat new deal, possibly with Cleveland. Hillis' proneness to injury and perceived bad attitude may not have endeared him to the organization, though, so he will need to play well down the stretch in order to earn that contract.

It won't be easy against the Ravens defense, but if Hillis can excel on Sunday, then it may be enough for the Browns to consider re-signing him. Perhaps the front office already has its mind made up one way or the other, but Hillis is essentially auditioning to remain a starting back in the league.

Prediction: Ravens 24, Browns 13