Updated Standings:
- Baltimore Ravens 4-1
- Cleveland Browns 3-2
- Pittsburgh Steelers 3-2
- Cincinnati Bengals 3-2
Pittsburgh Steelers
Matchup: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 pm EST
The Steelers will look to string together consecutive wins for the first time this season after continuing to alternate victories and losses through five games. Pittsburgh is coming off a 12-point home win over the Indianapolis Colts, marking their first double-digit margin of victory so far in 2026. The Steelers showed more continued signs of offensive life, particularly in the run game led by Jaylen Warren (188 scrimmage yards and two
touchdowns).
Their opponent this week, the Buccaneers, have a much stingier run defense — allowing only 72.8 rushing yards per game (No. 2 in the NFL). Tampa Bay also ranks Top 10 in passing yards given up as well and, despite their 1-4 overall record, are coming off a strong win last Thursday night over the Dallas Cowboys. The Buccaneers will have a rest advantage and home-field advantage, so the Steelers will have their work cut out for them despite being favored to win. If the Steelers are stymied on the ground, the onus will turn to Aaron Rodgers and company in the passing attack. Rodgers has three passing touchdowns in three straight games.
Pittsburgh’s defense will be facing undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels, making his third start in-place of the injured Baker Mayfield. Daniels has been inconsistent as a passer and has thrown three interceptions but is a dynamic athlete. The Steelers will have to account for him in the run game in addition to running back Bucky Irving, who ran for 165 yards on 21 carries in Week 5. If the Steelers can key in on Irving in the backfield and force Daniels to beat them through the air, their defense should hold up well.
Baltimore Ravens
Matchup: @ Cleveland Browns, 1:00pm EST
The Ravens are coming off a third straight win, all by one possession, after securing a 30-23 overtime victory last Sunday night. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, starting in place of Lamar Jackson (ankle) led two consecutive touchdown drives late in the game to erase an eight-point deficit. Huntley is set to start again this Sunday as the Ravens look to start 1-0 in the division with a win over the Browns.
Baltimore has won three straight meetings against the Browns, two of which were 20+ point victories. However, the Browns have often played them tough, especially in Cleveland, so this won’t be a cakewalk by any means — especially without Jackson under center. Huntley will need to have another mistake-free performance and handle blitz packages well. The Browns will likely crowd the line of scrimmage and try to take away underneath passing routes, forcing Huntley to beat them with downfield throws. The Ravens are expected to get rookie wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane back from injury in this game, which will provide another pass-catching weapon.
Defensively, the Ravens will need to buckle down and limit points again. They allowed only 16 offensive points in last week’s win over the Atlanta Falcons. Quarterback Deshaun Watson has been at his best this season when blitzed and struggled more versus calmer pressure. That creates an interesting strategy dilemma for Jesse Minter. Regardless, the Ravens have done a good job limiting big plays in the passing game this year, which will come in handy against talented rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston. The Browns have other young playmakers that call for defensive attention as well.
Cleveland Browns
Matchup: vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1:00pm EST
The Browns’ winning streak came to a conclusion last week after they dropped a 17-12 contest against the New York Jets. It was a sloppy offensive performance from both sides, but the Browns were in position to win after taking a lead in the fourth quarter, which they failed to retain or recoup. With the loss, the Browns dropped out of first place in the division, a spot they’ll look to get back by beating the Ravens this Sunday.
This will be Todd Monken’s first game coaching against his former team, giving the Browns another source of extra motivation to win. Monken will look to attack a Ravens’ defense that ranks middle-of-the-pack in yardage and points allowed but is set to return a key piece in edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. The Browns’ offense has largely struggled this season, scoring the fifth-least points per game at just 18.6. Some of their most successful moments have come out of structure with Watson evading pressure and scrambling.
Cleveland’s defense will be facing Huntley instead of Jackson, making for a much easier matchup. However, the Ravens scored 30 points last week, proving that their offense is still capable of producing with Huntley under center. The key for the Browns will be limiting Derrick Henry’s damage on the ground and taking away short-yardage throws. Huntley has rarely connected on deep throws in his career. The Browns will also need to find a way to keep the ball out of Zay Flowers’ hands as much as possible.
