Riding a five-game winning streak, the Ravens (5-2) travel to Cleveland to face the Browns (1-6) in an AFC North matchup.
Basics
Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m., Huntington Bank Field
TV: WJZ Channel 13 (Baltimore), WUSA Channel 9 (Washington) and more. CBS crew Tom McCarthy (play-by-play), Jay Feely (analyst), Ross Tucker (analyst), Amanda Balionis (sideline)
Radio: WBAL (101.5 FM/1090 AM), 98 Rock (97.9 FM), SiriusXM Radio Ch. 161 or 380. Ravens crew: Gerry Sandusky (play-by-play), Rod Woodson (analyst). WLZL FM Spanish Radio El Zol (107.9), David Andrade (play-by-play), Allen Gutierrez (analyst)
History
The Ravens hold a 36-14 lead over the Browns in the all-time series, but Cleveland has won three of the last five.
Their last meeting was in Week 10 of last season, when the Browns defeated Baltimore, 33-31, at M&T Bank Stadium. Cleveland rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter and Deshaun Watson was 14-of-14 in the second half. Kyle Hamilton batted Watson's first pass of the game into the air, caught it, and ran untouched into the end zone for a pick-six. However, after the Ravens built a 31-17 lead, Watson threw a touchdown pass to Elijah Moore and Greg Newsome II had a 34-yard pick-six off Lamar Jackson.
Stakes
The Ravens are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) atop the AFC North and want to maintain at least a share of the division lead. Baltimore is 1-0 in the AFC North, and finishing with the best record in divisional play could be an advantage in possible tiebreaker scenarios. The Browns have lost five straight and are looking for momentum with Jameis Winston starting at quarterback and Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey taking over as their play caller.
Key Storylines
Will Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry keep dominating against an aggressive Browns defense?
Since Week 4, either Jackson or Henry has been AFC Offensive Player of the Week. They've been the catalysts in the Ravens' five-game winning streak, and Baltimore enters Week 8 leading the NFL in total offense. The Ravens have scored at least 30 points in four straight games, while the Browns haven't scored more than 18 points and are ranked last in total offense. A Cleveland victory is unlikely if Jackson and Henry aren't slowed down, but the blitz-happy Browns defense can be tough.
Will Winston and Dorsey spark Cleveland's offense?
Winston has 144 career touchdown passes, and while he's also thrown 99 interceptions, he's capable of getting hot and doesn't mind taking chances. That could be dangerous against a Ravens defense that enters the game ranked last in the NFL against the pass. Dorsey may also have an aggressive mindset in his first game as play caller, taking the reins from Head Coach Kevin Stefanski.
Can the Ravens' defense play consistently for 60 minutes?
The Ravens surrendered 21 points in the fourth quarter in Week 7, making their victory over the Buccaneers closer than it had to be. The Browns are tied for the worst record in the NFL at 1-6. However, the Ravens have had breakdowns in coverage and Winston will be hunting for chunk plays that could help the Browns pull off an upset.
Here are five matchups to look out for in Baltimore's second AFC North game.
QB Lamar Jackson vs. LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
The Browns drafted Owusu-Koramoah in part because of his speed in the middle, knowing they face Jackson at least twice a year. He has often operated as a spy and could do so again. Owusu-Koramoah has turned into one of the game's better linebackers but will face a red-hot Jackson who is coming off a five-touchdown game and looks like the best quarterback in the league.
LT Ronnie Stanley vs. DE Myles Garrett
Stanley is back to his All-Pro form and has allowed zero sacks in 224 pass blocking snaps this season, according to Next Gen Stats. Last week, he allowed zero pressures against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he has a tough matchup Sunday facing Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
ILB Roquan Smith vs. RB Nick Chubb
Chubb made his return from a serious knee injury last week and gives the Browns a bonafide runner who can swing a game, but he will face a stout Ravens defensive line with Smith behind it. Smith is coming off maybe his best game of the season where he posted 18 tackles, the second most in his career.
WR Rashod Bateman vs. CB Denzel Ward
Everything is starting to click for Bateman, who is fully healthy after dealing with injuries in the early years of his career. Bateman set a career-high with 121 yards last week and will face a strong cover corner in Ward, who has a league-leading 12 passes defended on the season.
S Kyle Hamilton vs. TE David Njoku
With Amari Cooper now on the Bills, Njoku might be Cleveland's new No. 1 target. Jameis Winston, who is making his first start of the season, will surely look Njoku's way Sunday. Hamilton has consistently delivered massive hits this season, so look for some sparks when he collides with Njoku, who is one of the league's most jacked tight ends.
Players to Watch
LT Ronnie Stanley
Stanley hasn't allowed a sack in 224 pass blocking snaps, according to Next Gen Stats. Part of Jackson's elite play is due to Stanley protecting Jackson's blindside so well. Stanley will be tested by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who should be in a nasty mood after going the last two weeks without a sack.
RB Derrick Henry
Henry already has 10 carries of at least 25 yards this season, and he's most likely to break loose in the second half if the Browns' defense begins wearing down. Henry needs just 127 yards to reach the sixth 100-yard season of his career.
S Kyle Hamilton
The All-Pro safety will be one of many defenders focused on keeping Browns' running back Nick Chubb in check. It will be Chubb's second game since returning from a serious knee injury, and the Ravens expect his workload to increase. Hamilton has delivered big hits on a consistent basis this season, and his versatility as a run stopper, pass defender, and blitzer is critical to Baltimore's defensive game plan.
682: Pat Ricard Talks About Blocking for Derrick Henry, Wearing Down Defenders, Lamar Jackson's Drive + Previewing the Browns
Ravens FB Patrick Ricard joins team insiders Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing to discuss how his job has changed blocking for Derrick Henry, finding his role in Todd Monken's offense, breaking the will of opponents, and more. Plus, Ryan and Garrett break down Sunday's matchup in Cleveland.
