July 20, 2026, 2:25 p.m. ET

The Cleveland Browns haven’t consistently challenged the Baltimore Ravens in the standings, but that doesn’t mean Jesse Minter’s team can overlook them. Baltimore has dominated the rivalry, winning 39 of the 54 all-time meetings, including each of the past three contests. While the Browns‘ offense enters 2026 with plenty of questions, the defense presents a different challenge altogether.

Cleveland fielded one of the NFL’s more productive defensive units last season despite receiving little help from an offense that frequently struggled to sustain drives or protect the football. That doesn’t mean the Browns are without weaknesses. Baltimore’s offense, led by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, possesses the personnel to capitalize in several key areas when these division rivals square off in Weeks 6 and 16.

The Browns occasionally struggled to finish defensive possessions

For as well as Cleveland played between the 20-yard lines, finishing drives remained an issue. The Browns allowed touchdowns on 58 percent of opponents’ red-zone possessions, slightly worse than the league average of 55.4 percent.

While that number isn’t alarming on its own, it represents an area where Baltimore’s offense has consistently excelled under Jackson’s leadership. The Ravens have built one of the NFL’s more difficult red-zone attacks to defend thanks to Jackson’s mobility,

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Henry’s physical running style and Baltimore’s willingness to attack defenses in multiple ways. If the Browns can’t tighten up near the goal line, the Ravens could turn lengthy drives into touchdowns instead of field goals.

The Ravens must avoid third-and-long situations

One statistic illustrates just how disciplined Cleveland’s defense became last season. The Browns ranked fourth in the NFL in third-down defense, holding opponents below a 37 percent conversion rate.

That ability to consistently get off the field helped offset many of the problems created by an offense that routinely lost the time-of-possession battle. For Baltimore, the objective is clear. Staying ahead of the chains with productive early-down runs and efficient passing concepts will be critical to preventing Cleveland from forcing obvious passing situations.

The pass rush remains dangerous even without Myles Garrett

Replacing a player like Myles Garrett isn’t realistic. Replacing his production collectively, however, is the challenge Cleveland now faces after moving in a different direction. Even with Garrett no longer anchoring the defense, the Browns still have reason for optimism after adding Jared Verse, the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and a two-time Pro Bowl selection.

Verse may not immediately replicate Garrett’s impact, but he possesses the athleticism and pass-rushing ability to develop into one of the league’s premier edge defenders. Baltimore’s offensive line will have to account for him from the opening snap.

Cleveland’s defensive front remains one of its biggest strengths

Garrett’s departure shouldn’t overshadow what Cleveland accomplished as a defensive front last season. The Browns finished third in the NFL with 53 sacks, ranked fourth with 113 quarterback hits and posted the league’s third-best sack percentage at 9.8 percent.

Those numbers reflect a defensive scheme capable of generating consistent pressure rather than relying solely on one superstar. Fortunately for Baltimore, few teams are better equipped to counter an aggressive pass rush. Jackson’s mobility, combined with one of the league’s better rushing attacks, has often forced opposing defenses to hesitate before fully committing to pressure packages.

Baltimore can test an otherwise stingy defense

Overall, Cleveland’s defense played well enough to win more games than it did. The Browns surrendered just 283.6 yards per game, the fourth-fewest in the NFL, while allowing 22.3 points per contest, good for 14th in the league.

Unfortunately for Cleveland, those efforts were frequently undermined by an offense that struggled to sustain drives, protect the football and consistently flip field position. That’s where Baltimore can seize control.

The Ravens don’t necessarily need to overwhelm Cleveland with explosive plays. Instead, long, physical drives built around Jackson’s decision-making and Henry’s punishing running style can wear down a defense that too often found itself back on the field because its offense couldn’t provide relief.

The Browns have assembled a defense capable of keeping games competitive, making this far from an easy matchup for Baltimore. Still, if the Ravens protect the football, stay out of difficult third-down situations and capitalize on red-zone opportunities, they’ll once again put themselves in position to maintain their recent dominance in one of the AFC North’s most one-sided rivalries.