I ran the numbers once between my cleric and a paladin I have as an alt. The paladin, without smites could, on average, get the cleric down in about 8 turns. The cleric could down the paladin in 6.

Spirit guardians + spiritual weapon + 19 AC!

I would use total defense and tie up the most dangerous thug while the rest of the party picked off the lesser threats. Most of the time I'd never get hit at all. Then once they finished them off after a few rounds I'd step back and let them pound away while I did the real clericing.