The Cleveland Browns try to rebound following a loss to the hapless New York Jets, but are about to run into the buzzsaw that is the Baltimore Ravens with Lamar Jackson once again. Here are three key matchups to watch on Sunday.
Myles Harden Vs. Baltimore's Wide Receiver Room
When these two teams faced off in Week 2, the Ravens scored three touchdowns by picking on slot corner Cam Mitchell, who gave up scores on three of his four targets. Mitchell was cut following the game, and since then the slot has been manned by second-year player Myles Harden, who has done a solid job overall. The Ravens will certainly look to exploit matchups with him, though, as the outside CB tandem of Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell is quite solid. Devontez Walker, who caught his first two NFL touchdowns against the Browns, hasn't been active for a game since Week 4, due to both injuries and coaching decisions. If he is once again not involved in the gameplan, expect more opportunities for Rashod Bateman, Tylan Wallace, and DeAndre Hopkins, the latter two of which hauled in scores against the Browns.
That group of three has been targeted a total of 28 times since Week 4, and only Bateman has scored or surpassed 50 yards in a game during that timeframe. The Ravens went through a very rough patch while Jackson was on the sideline, but they are coming out of it now and are considered by many to still be the favorite to win the division, despite being a game under .500 right now.
Dealing with Zay Flowers will be difficult enough on its own, but Cleveland must ensure that a repeat of the coverage busts from Week 2 does not occur if they want to have any hope of pulling off the upset. Harden has a big chance to stake his claim to the slot job for 2026 if he can play well under pressure.