It became clear almost immediately on Sunday that the Ravens blowing past the 2-7 Browns was not going to happen. All week long the conversation focused on how Baltimore should roll, how the gap in talent was too great, and how the Ravens could use this game as a tune-up before tougher matchups ahead. History, of course, had a different opinion. And as is usually the case in divisional football, history was right.
If you ever need a reminder that divisional games operate on a different wavelength, take a look at the Bills last week. A contender on paper, a roster stacked with talent, yet they were overwhelmed by a Miami Dolphins team fighting for oxygen at the bottom of the standings.