The Ravens enter Sunday’s AFC North matchup with a stronger offense than Cleveland, averaging 29.2 points and 394.2 yards per game in their 4-1 start. The Browns are scoring 18.6 points per game and averaging 273.6 yards, but their defense presents a more competitive matchup. Cleveland has allowed fewer points per game than Baltimore and recorded six more sacks, giving Tyler Huntley and the Ravens’ offensive line a significant test.

With Lamar Jackson ruled out with an ankle injury, Huntley will make his second straight start. Baltimore’s season-long offensive averages include games with Jackson and Huntley and should not be treated as Huntley’s individual production.

Ravens vs. Browns statistical comparison

Figures reflect the teams’ first five games, using Baltimore’s Week 6 statistics and the Elias league comparison, with Cleveland’s official statistics as a cross-check.

Net passing yardage accounts for yards lost on sacks. Cleveland’s 179.4-yard average comes from 897 net passing yards over five games.

Baltimore’s rushing efficiency provides its clearest advantage

The Ravens are averaging 164.4 rushing yards per game and 5.1 yards per attempt, compared with Cleveland’s 94.2 and 3.7. That gives Baltimore a strong foundation to support Huntley with Derrick Henry and Justice Hill.

Cleveland is allowing 117.4 rushing yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry. The opportunity is to create manageable passing situations through efficient early-down runs, rather than relying on volume alone.

Huntley completed 24 of 32 passes for 201 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions against Atlanta. Another productive ground game would help him avoid repeatedly facing long-yardage situations against Cleveland’s pass rush.

Cleveland’s defense makes protection a priority

Baltimore ranks fifth in net offense, while Cleveland ranks 29th, but the defensive yardage gap is considerably smaller: 325.6 yards allowed per game for the Ravens and 334.0 for the Browns. Cleveland has recorded 16 sacks, averaging 3.2 per game. Baltimore has allowed 11, or 2.2 per game, and will again be without center Cam Jurgens.

The challenge runs both ways. Deshaun Watson and the Browns have taken 19 sacks, averaging 3.8 per game. Baltimore’s defense has recorded 10 sacks, and Trey Hendrickson’s expected return gives the Ravens another option for attacking Cleveland’s protection.

Finishing those opportunities matters. Watson can extend plays when rushers lose containment, turning a potential negative play into another chance for Cleveland.

Third downs and penalties could narrow the scoring gap

Cleveland has converted just 19 of 62 third downs, a 30.6% rate. Baltimore has chances to end drives, but its defense has allowed opponents to convert 41.5% of third-down attempts.

The Ravens cannot assume Cleveland’s offensive struggles will produce stops without better execution. Keeping the Browns behind the sticks and finishing tackles would help Baltimore turn its yardage advantage into more possessions.

Discipline also deserves attention. Cleveland commits more penalties per game, 9.8 to Baltimore’s 8.8, but the Ravens lose more penalty yardage: 73.8 per game compared with 65.4. Counting penalties alone misses their cost.

Baltimore’s plus-3 turnover differential provides another advantage over Cleveland’s minus-1. Protecting the football and avoiding drive-killing penalties would help Huntley preserve the benefits of the Ravens’ rushing game.

A Baltimore win would give the Ravens a two-game lead over Cleveland and an early head-to-head advantage. To get there, the Ravens need their efficient rushing attack to travel and their third-down defense to improve against an offense struggling to sustain drives.