The Baltimore Ravens cannot afford to overlook the Cleveland Browns or look too far ahead. They've struggled to find consistency, but in the always-competitive AFC North, being too casual can be costly.
Cleveland has playmakers who can change a game. Some are banged up. Quinshon Judkins' health is worth watching, but time will tell. We're days away from being offered a status report. Still, Baltimore will need to account for threats on both sides of the ballwhen these AFC North rivals meet in Week 6.
Deshaun Watson is coming off a difficult outing against the New York Jets, but the Browns have other players who can create problems. This team has playmakers, and regardless of their results so far, they've looked more organized under first-year
head coach Todd Monken.
Baltimore's challenge is identifying where Cleveland's biggest threats can do the most damage and limiting their opportunities to influence the game. Cleveland has contributors who can stress a defense in different ways, from creating explosive plays to winning critical downs and forcing turnovers. The Ravens must be prepared for all of it, especially if the Browns find ways to put pressure on both sides of the ball.
1. Deshaun Watson, quarterback
Despite Watson's rough week at MetLife Stadium, he completed 15 of 33 passes for 155 yards and took eight sacks against the Jets; his ability to extend plays and capitalize on defensive breakdowns makes him a key part of Cleveland's game plan. The Ravens must maintain their rush lanes and keep him from escaping the pocket, particularly when coverage forces him to hold the ball.
Baltimore's pass rush has shown progress, but it still has plenty of room for improvement. This matchup will test whether the defense can turn pressure into disrupted drives instead of letting Watson recover and find an open receiver.
The Ravens need to make his pocket uncomfortable without allowing him to escape pressure and create plays downfield. If Baltimore can generate pressure while keeping its coverage assignments intact, it could force the Browns into another difficult passing performance.
2. Denzel Boston, wide receiver
Denzel Boston has emerged as a productive option in Cleveland's passing game. The second-round selection earned third-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2025 and has rewarded the Browns' investment with 330 yards on 16 catches — 20.6 yards per reception. Twelve of those catches have produced first downs, and he has scored three touchdowns.
He was limited at Wednesday's practice with a foot injury. Time will tell whether that affects his ability to play. Make no mistake. Baltimore will more than likely prepare as though he will.
A lengthy Ravens-Browns injury report... pic.twitter.com/OnFnGOAbGn
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) October 14, 2026
Baltimore's secondary must identify Boston's role in high-leverage situations, especially when Cleveland needs to move the chains or finish a red-zone drive. If he can win consistently on third down, Watson will have a reliable outlet and the Browns can sustain drives.
3. Harold Fannin Jr., tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. presents another challenge for the Ravens, particularly if Cleveland uses him to attack the middle of the field. His 18 receptions tie him for the team lead, and he has matched Boston with three touchdown receptions. That production makes him more than an occasional underneath target.
Baltimore must be disciplined with its linebacker and safety assignments when Fannin enters the pattern. If the Ravens devote too much attention to Boston on the outside, Fannin could exploit the space underneath and become a reliable option on crucial downs.
4. Quincy Williams, linebacker
Williams is a disruptive presence around the football, with 34 tackles, three tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and three forced fumbles this season. His ability to attack ball carriers and create turnovers makes him a player the Ravens must locate before plays develop.
Baltimore's offensive players need to protect the football through contact, especially when runners fight for extra yards, and receivers try to turn short catches into bigger gains. A loose ball could give Cleveland a momentum swing it might otherwise struggle to create.
5. Ronnie Hickman, safety
Hickman has 26 tackles, one sack, and two pass breakups, showing he can affect plays near the line of scrimmage and in coverage. His presence gives Cleveland another defender who can disrupt Baltimore's passing game, especially if Huntley is forced to work through tight windows.
The Ravens should watch Hickman's positioning before committing to throws over the middle or intermediate routes. Sound decisions and precise timing will matter against a defense that can turn a misread into a turnover opportunity.
6. Denzel Ward, cornerback
Denzel Ward remains one of Cleveland's most important defensive playmakers. A five-time Pro Bowl selection who has spent his entire career with the Browns, he has recorded 24 tackles, one pass breakup, one interception, and two forced fumbles this season.
Ward's ball skills make him a threat beyond his coverage assignments. With Huntley potentially leading the offense, Baltimore must avoid forcing throws into contested windows simply to generate explosive plays. Taking what the defense gives him and protecting possession could be more valuable than gambling against one of Cleveland's most accomplished defenders.
The bottom line: The Ravens must respect Cleveland's threats without letting the matchup dictate their approach. Watson's protection, Boston's and Fannin's scoring production, and the Browns' ability to create turnovers all deserve attention. If Judkins is limited or sits out, Baltimore must also prepare for a possible change in Cleveland's rushing rotation, with Raheim Sanders among the players to monitor.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 6 Browns who could threaten Ravens' bid for a fourth consecutive win
