Close again, but . . . 

There is no question the Browns' defense is statistically the best in the National Football League after three weeks, racking up otherworldly numbers. But just how good are they? They are about to find out.

The Browns' two victories this far were recorded against an injured quarterback who should not have played and an aging signal-caller who has clearly seen his best days. The one loss was a total domination by that side of the ball against a second-year quarterback in a game given away by the offense.

All that changes Sunday afternoon at home against the Baltimore Ravens, who arrive tied with the Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers atop the AFC North with a healthy -- and still exceedingly dangerous -- Lamar Jackson at the offensive helm. 

Until now, the Browns have enjoyed little success against Jackson, whose athletic exploits when not throwing forward passes has left a boatload of defenders flailing in vain while trying to get him on the ground. 

He is a running back playing quarterback; a much better runner than thrower, although he has connected on 73% of his passes this season. In eight career starts against the Browns, he has thrown for 11 touchdowns, averaged just 186 yards passing, been picked off six times and sacked 18 times. 

As a runner, he averages six yards a carry against Cleveland with four more scores. He has booked games of 90, 103 and 124 yards. He extends plays in eye-disbelieving, highlight-moment fashion. And with all the injuries in the Baltimore running backs room, he is the Baltimore offense

The Browns have yet to solve him, dropping six of the eight meetings. But on Sunday, Jackson will face a Cleveland defense he most likely will not recognize. 

The passive and somewhat bewilderingly passive defense of Joe Woods the last three seasons is history, replaced by Jim Schwartz's eye-pleasing, in-your-face, nasty, attitudinal and wildly aggressive way of shutting down opposing offenses.

Although beset by numerous injuries, the Ravens are still a huge threat, especially against the Browns. That's because Jackson is extremely capable of making plays just when it appears he has no chance.

Wide receivers Rashod Bateman and former Browns Odell Beckham Jr. won't play. Neither will cornerback Marlon Humphrey, outside linebackers Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo, while offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley is listed as doubtful, which means he probably won't play.

The Browns are hurting a little, too. Midway through this past week, Deshaun Watson stopped throwing with what is being called a throwing-shoulder contusion, picked up in last Sunday's victory over Tennessee. 

Watson says he will play, but if pre-game warmups dictate otherwise, Dorian Thompson-Robinson gets his first National Football League start with recent signee P. J.Walker moving up from the practice squad to back him up.

If it's DTR, look for head coach Kevin Stefanski to dumb down the offense, making certain the rookie keeps mistakes at a minumum with a variety of screens, misdirection plays and high percentage, chain-moving possessions. 

It was also reported Saturday that tight end David Njoku suffered burn injuries to his face and hands in a household accident trying to light a fire pit. Like Watson, Njoku says he'll play with warmups being the deciding factor. The good news is cornerback Greg Newsome II returns to the secondary.

The secondary's prime targets Sunday will be rookie Zay Flowers, Nelson Agholor, Devin Duvernay and tight end Mark Andrews, who is having a down year but always seems to play well against the Browns.  Wonder if Schwartz plans to spy Jackson with someone or rely on gang tackling.

And then there's Justin Tucker, the best kicker in NFL history and a shoo-in first-ballot Hall of Famer. In 22 games against the Browns, he has missed just one extra point, is 40 of 48 on field goals and amassed 168 points. He has kicked the longest field goal ever in the league, a 66-yarder to beat Detroit in 2021.

This one is close enough where a field goal could decide who rises to 3-1 and retention of the division lead or falls to 2-2. The Browns are clearly the better team. They've been the better team in every game this season. But there are factors that fly in the face of that boast. The Pittsburgh loss, for example.

The Ravens almost always come up with something different against the Browns. Whether it's a busted play by Jackson that lasts 10 or 15 seconds and somehow winds up in the Ravens' favor. Or Tucker kicking something like a 67-yard field goal on the last play of the game. 

By the way, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh isn't 35-13 against the Browns by accident. So until the Browns can completely undo that hex, or whatever you want to call it, I'm thisclose to believing what I'm seeing. Not quite there yet. Make it:

Ravens 17, Browns 14