Super Bowl champion Flacco returns to Baltimore with Browns

BALTIMORE — Two seasons ago, Joe Flacco nearly made his return to Baltimore under pressure-packed circumstances. If the Cleveland Browns had beaten Houston in the first round of the playoffs, they'd have faced the Ravens next.That didn't happen, so Flacco and Ravens star Lamar Jackson had to settle for a reunion at NFL Honors, when the former won Comeback Player of the Year and the latter was MVP."I was like, 'Man, I thought we were going to have to see you in the playoffs,'" Jackson said. "He was on a roll. He had those guys in a good position."This weekend, Jackson and the Ravens host Flacco and the Browns. It's the 40-year-old Flacco's first chance to play at Baltimore since Jackson supplanted him as the Ravens' starter in 2018. He did face Baltimore when he was with the Jets in 2022, but that game was in New Jersey."I got to play them a couple years ago, but going back to Baltimore is definitely a little bit different story," Flacco said. "I've been gone a decent amount of time so the fact that I haven't had a chance to go back is a little surprising."Flacco spent the first 11 years of his career with Baltimore, leading the Ravens to a Super Bowl title during the 2012 season. After the Ravens took Jackson in the first round of the 2018 draft, Flacco made nine starts that season and then was traded to Denver."I mean, for sure it's one of those things in the NFL, there's a business side of it and things happen," Flacco said. "I'm fortunate to be where I am today and be in this position, but I have nothing but love for that city and for that organization. I mean I was a small-school guy that they took a little bit of a chance on early on in the draft and I have so many good memories with those people in that city and that stadium." Coming off lossesThe Browns (0-1) are looking to avoid their first 0-2 start in Kevin Stefanski's six seasons as coach. The last three times the Browns lost their opener, they bounced back with a win in Week 2.Baltimore started 0-2 last season but still went on to win the AFC North. But after losing at Buffalo in their opener, the Ravens could really use a win this week. Their next four games after this are against the Lions, Chiefs, Texans and Rams.Takeaway droughtThe Browns allowed only 141 yards against Cincinnati last week, including only seven in the second half. While the defense is doing a solid job stopping opponents, it isn't forcing turnovers. Cleveland has gone three straight games dating to last season without a takeaway and has gone seven straight without forcing multiple turnovers."As good as we play, still more things that we could get better at and that's one of the areas is takeaways," cornerback Denzel Ward said. "So we played well, played decent on this past game, but we got to take that ball away."Playing to strengthsThe Browns were in 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) on 36 of their 71 offensive plays against Cincinnati last week, their highest usage since Week 16 in 2020.That's partly because of the selection of tight end Harold Fannin Jr. in the third round this year. Fannin was in for 55 plays while lining up at tight end, slot receiver, running back and even quarterback one play. David Njoku was in for 64 snaps. Fannin and Njoku combined for 10 of the Browns' 31 receptions and 100 yards.Baltimore allowed seven receptions to Buffalo's tight ends for 97 yards and a touchdown. According to the NFL's Next Gen Stats, opponents targeted tight ends 127 times against Baltimore last season, 10th-most in the league.Keep an eye on...Both teams have rookie kickers who missed extra points last week, and the Ravens and Browns both lost by one point.Baltimore's Tyler Loop made both of his field goal attempts while Cleveland's Andre Szmyt was 1 of 2, including a 35-yard attempt that went wide right late in the fourth quarter that would have given the Browns the lead.--- CLEVELAND (0-1) at BALTIMORE (0-1) Time/TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. CBSSeries record: Ravens lead 37-15Last meeting: Ravens beat Browns 35-10 on Jan. 4 in BaltimoreLast week: Browns lost to Bengals 17-16; Ravens lost to Bills 41-40Browns player to watchQB Joe Flacco remains the Ravens franchise leader in yards passing (38,245) and touchdown passes (212). He is 0-1 against the Ravens despite throwing for 309 yards with the Jets in loss in 2022. Flacco completed 31 of 45 passes for 290 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions last week. Ravens player to watchRB Derrick Henry picked up where he left off a season ago, rushing for 169 yards and two touchdowns against Buffalo. But he also had a fumble late in the game that helped the Bills come back. He's emblematic of Baltimore's need to combine its overall dominance with better care of the ball. Key matchupBaltimore's offensive line against Cleveland's defensive front. The Ravens had little trouble moving the ball at Buffalo, but it's possible the Browns could provide a stronger test after holding Cincinnati to 141 total yards last week. Key injuriesBrowns: RT Jack Conklin (eye, elbow) is expected to be back after he left the first half of Sunday's game after being poked in the eye. DT Mike Hall (knee) is on track to make his season debut after missing last week.Ravens: FB Patrick Ricard (calf) and TE Isaiah Likely (foot) missed last weekend's game and missed practice time this week. DT Nnamdi Madubuike (ankle) and CB Jaire Alexander (knee) were also on the injury report this week. Series notesBaltimore beat Cleveland in the 2024 regular-season finale to wrap up the AFC North title... The Ravens are celebrating their 30th year in Baltimore at this game, which is their home opener. That move to Baltimore, of course, remains infamous in Cleveland... Although the Ravens have dominated the overall series, the teams have split their two games in each of the past four seasons. Stats and stuffCleveland coach Kevin Stefanski is 4-6 against the Ravens... RB Dylan Sampson had 93 scrimmage yards in his NFL debut last week. His eight catches were tied for the fourth most by a rookie running back in his first game. ... WR Jerry Jeudy has at least five catches and 60 yards receiving in 10 of his past 11 games... TE Harold Fannin's seven catches were tied for the second most by a rookie last week... Rookie LB Carson Schwesinger led the Browns with eight tackles... DE Myles Garrett had his 22nd game with at least two sacks. He has 8 1/2 sacks in 14 games against the Ravens... CB Denzel Ward has three interceptions in nine meetings vs. Baltimore... Henry needs two more rushing TDs to tie Walter Payton (110) for fifth on the career list... Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has led the team in yards rushing and passing 39 times. The record is 40 by Cam Newton... Jackson has produced at least two TD passes and a passer rating of 90 or higher in nine consecutive games, including playoffs.