When the Browns' defense lines up against the Ravens on Oct. 18, they will be looking across the line at two of prolific offensive weapons. Both RB Derrick Henry and WR Zay Flowers have started the season off strong, and Cleveland will be focused on containing them and the rest of the Ravens' offense.
In his 11th season in the NFL, Henry has 476 rushing yards this season, the fifth most in the NFL. Flowers has been the Ravens' top option in the pass game, tallying 405 receiving yards this season, the eighth most in the league.
With uncertainty about who will be under center for the Ravens — due to QB Lamar Jackson's ankle injury — both Henry and Flowers will be a key part of Baltimore's offensive attack. The Ravens' offensive weapons have helped propel Baltimore to the sixth highest scoring offense in the NFL this season, averaging 29.2 points per game through the first five weeks.
On the ground, Henry's 6-foot-3, 252-pound frame makes him difficult to bring down, especially in the open field. Henry has recorded 262 yards after contact this season, the third most in the NFL, according to Pro Football Reference. He has been the catalyst for the Ravens' third ranked rushing attack this season, which is averaging 164.4 yards per game. On the defensive side, the Browns have allowed 117.4 rushing yards per game, the 15th most in the league.
"He's the size of a D-end. He's a very strong back and he has the speed of a running back," DE Jared Verse said. "We have to pursue the ball. He's probably going to break a tackle or two, so we have to keep pursuing the ball so we can bring him down after that."
As a perimeter weapon, Flowers has a unique skillset that separates him from other wide receivers. Head coach Todd Monken noted that Flowers possesses high-level balance and body control, which contributes to his elite route running ability.
The Ravens move Flowers around in their offensive formations, including in the slot, which the Browns' defense will be aware of entering the matchup. In four games, Flowers has tallied 318 receiving yards from the slot, the most in the NFL, per PFF.
"He's one of their go-to guys," CB Denzel Ward said. "So, we definitely have to keep an eye on where he's at on the field, whether he's inside in the slot or outside, and try to do as well of a job as we can eliminating him and taking him away. But he's definitely one of their go-to guys."
This season, the Browns rank 25th in the NFL in yards allowed to opposing slot receivers, according to PFF. Monken explained why effectively covering receivers out of the slot can be more difficult for defenses at times compared to outside receivers.
"You could argue that the distance between the throw and the player is easier," Monken said. "I mean, you're talking about the distance of a throw from a slot as a general rule. You're getting more and more choice routes out of those guys. You're getting more intermediate routes. Again, the distance is a part of that. I think at times your matchup gets created with nickels or safeties, that's a part of that. And I think you also have body types, that guys a lot of times in a slot create that type of separation. So, I think there's a lot more than just one thing. But off the top of my head, that's what hit my brain."
In addition to limiting Henry and Flowers, the Browns' defense understands the task at hand against the rest of the Ravens' talented offense in a battle for first place in the AFC North. Defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg explained that, despite the Ravens' uncertainty at quarterback, the Browns' defense will be ready to match up against Baltimore's entire offense.
"It's the great running backs of Derrick Henry and Justice Hill," Rutenberg said. "The tight ends, Mark Andrews has been doing it a long time. They've brought new guys in. They're doing it at a high level. They got really good receivers, the O-line. We've got to prepare for the Ravens."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 6 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
Wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. (1) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (0) and Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Vershon Lee (65) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zion Johnson (77) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (0) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Zion Logue (69) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Jaleel McLaughlin (38) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Devin Culp (82) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Nadame Tucker (60) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (6) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive Coordinator Travis Switzer during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end John FitzPatrick (87) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive Line Development Assistant LaRoy Reynolds during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (19) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Sam Williams (54) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive Line Development Assistant LaRoy Reynolds during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Michael Coats Jr. (39) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Vershon Lee (65) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Krys Barnes (43) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (0) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Daniel Thomas (24) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive Coordinator Travis Switzer during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Austin Barber (58) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Logan Fano (99) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Nadame Tucker (60) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Krys Barnes (43) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Devin Culp (82) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Donovan McMillon (31) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Vershon Lee (65) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Carsen Ryan (48) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Special Teams Coordinator Byron Storer during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Michael Coats Jr. (39) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Run Game Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach Jeff Blasko during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Audric Estime (36) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zion Johnson (77) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Taylen Green (15) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Audric Estime (36) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Krys Barnes (43) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Bub Means (81) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Vershon Lee (65) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Nadame Tucker (60) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (28) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (0) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Jaret Patterson (41) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Michael Coats Jr. (39) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive Quality Control Coach Sanders Davis during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Michael Coats Jr. (39) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
A helmet during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end John FitzPatrick (87) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Nadame Tucker (60) during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zion Johnson (77) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Director of Strength and Conditioning Larry Jackson during practice on October 14, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Zion Washington (30) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end John FitzPatrick (87) during practice on October 15, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
