The Browns head to Baltimore for their first road game of the season, and their second divisional matchup in Week 2.
The Ravens present challenges on all three sides of the ball for the Browns, as head coach Kevin Stefanski described the special teams unit as "top notch," highlighting their coverage and return phases. Offensively, Baltimore is led by dual-threat QB Lamar Jackson, has threats in the run game with RB Derrick Henry and the pass game with WR DeAndre Hopkins, WR Zay Flowers and TE Mark Andrews. Defensively, Stefanski said they play a physical brand of football and have threats at all three levels of the defense.
"Great team, division champs from last season," Stefanski said. "I have a ton of respect for Coach (John) Harbaugh and this entire group. They present significant challenges with how they play offense, defense and special teams."
Here are three burning questions for the Browns' matchup against the Ravens.
How do the Browns' limit Lamar Jackson's dual-threat ability?
In order for the Browns to limit Lackson's success in Week 2, all three levels of the Browns' defense have to prepare for the different elements of Jackson's game. With Jackson's ability to scramble and extend plays, as well as use designed quarterback runs to his advantage, it adds another gap that the defense must account for. CB Denzel Ward said the coaching staff has also emphasized the need to keep rushing and covering until the whistle is blown because of how Jackson can extend plays.
In Week 1 against the Bills, Jackson ran for 70 yards on six carries, including a 10-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. His longest run of the game was for 19 rushing yards.
"It puts greater responsibility on everybody, because you add another element to the run game that doesn't need a blocker," defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. "You need to tie in your secondary a little bit more. You need to double duty some people. They got to be able to scrape some gaps and things like that. It just adds another layer to it. And, I mean, Baltimore's really good at it, and Lamar Jackson's really good at it."
In the pass game, Schwartz also highlighted how Jackson is a successful deep ball thrower – which Jackson displayed in Week 1 against the Bills. Jackson completed 14 of 19 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns against the Bills, and his longest pass of the game was a 39-yard completion to Flowers.
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 2 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) and Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Defensive Assistant Zach Dunn during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger (52) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Tight end Brenden Bates (82) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Tight end Brenden Bates (82) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Assistant Offensive Line Coach Ben Wilkerson during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger (52) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Defensive end K.J. Henry (58) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
How will the Browns build on their successful elements in the pass game?
The Browns found success in moving the ball down the field through the air in Week 1, finishing the game with 278 net passing yards. The two longest catches of the day went to WR Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman for 25 yards each, and Jeudy led the team with 66 receiving yards. RB Dylan Sampson played an integral role in the pass game as well, leading the team with eight receptions for 64 receiving yards.
As the Browns prepare to take on a Ravens' defense that gave up 389 net passing yards to the Bills in Week 1, they have to build on the elements that worked in the pass game. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said they were able to attack certain areas of the field well, as well as create some explosive plays and third down situations. The Browns converted 9 of 16 third down attempts and totaled 22 first downs in Week 1. He also felt that they put players in the right spots offensive to make plays based on their skillsets, which as an offense, they must continue to do so against the Ravens.
"Baltimore presents a whole different level of challenges, just not because they're any different, but just how they approach the game is a different scheme, a different aggressiveness on defense," Rees said. "So, we got to do a great job of understanding their coverage techniques. They have really good players in the secondary at all spots – inside, deep part of the field, outside. They have a good rush plan, which impacts the passing game more than people probably realize. So, we got to own those opportunities, own those situations. And again, we have a lot of belief in those guys to put them in the right spots to make the plays."
How does the Browns' secondary limit the Ravens' pass catchers?
While one of the biggest tasks in Week 2 will be in limiting the run game of the Ravens with both Jackson and Henry, they also have to account for the pass-catching threats of Jackson.
With Jackson's ability to find his receivers and pass catchers for deep throws down the field, the secondary must be strong in their coverage of players like Flowers and Hopkins. Schwartz highlighted how the Browns have to tackle their playmakers in order to limit the gains of the receivers. Hopkins recorded 35 receiving yards on two catches in Week 1– including a 29-yard touchdown pass from Jackson, while Flowers finished with seven receptions for 143 receiving yards and one touchdown in Week 1. His longest reception of the day was for 39 yards.
"They get him the ball a lot of different ways," Schwartz said.
In Week 1, the Browns succeeded in limiting the Bengals' pass game to a net total of 95 passing yards. The longest reception of the day was a 20-yard gain by WR Ja'Marr Chase. Both Ward and CB Greg Newsome II provided tight coverage of Chase and WR Tee Higgins, limiting their ability to make plays. Higgins finished with a team-high 33 receiving yards on three receptions, while Chase totaled 26 receiving yards on two receptions.
Now in Week 2, if the Browns can take away the pass game, it will confine the Ravens' offensive success and limit scoring opportunities for Baltimore.
