The Ravens are headed to Cleveland for a Week 5 AFC North matchup against the Browns, and they will have to do it without Lamar Jackson for a second straight game.
That changes the shape of the matchup right away. Baltimore’s offense has to adjust again, while the Browns are dealing with their own issues on the defensive line. Mike Hall and Kalia Davis are not playing Sunday, and Mason Graham seems more likely to join them. That leaves Cleveland thinner up front in a game where stopping the run will matter.
How Baltimore will approach the offense
Without Jackson, the Ravens are expected to lean on Tyler Huntley again. That means Baltimore’s approach is likely to look different from the version that usually builds around Jackson’s mobility and ability to stress defenses in multiple ways. Todd Monken also brings familiarity with Huntley from his time in Baltimore, which could help shape how the Ravens try to move the ball.
The Ravens’ offense already showed some of the challenges last Sunday against the Falcons in Atlanta, when they struggled on third-and-long. That is the kind of situation Baltimore will want to avoid again, especially on the road against a divisional opponent.
Cleveland’s run defense is short-handed
The Browns entered the 2026 season with a bottom-10 run defense, and the injuries on the defensive line make that area even more important to watch. With Mike Hall and Kalia Davis out and Mason Graham trending toward sitting out as well, Cleveland is trying to piece together a front that can handle the Ravens’ run game.
That matters because Derrick Henry gives Baltimore a direct path to controlling the game if the Ravens can create manageable situations for Huntley. If Cleveland cannot hold up at the point of attack, the Ravens may be able to keep the offense on schedule even without Jackson.
So while the headline is Jackson’s absence, the deeper question is how both teams handle the trenches. Baltimore needs enough consistency from Huntley and the run game to stay balanced. Cleveland needs whatever remains of its defensive front to hold up against it. In a division game like this, that could decide the outcome.
