The Baltimore Ravens are entering a heated matchup with the Cleveland Browns in Week 2. Not only will they be playing angry after a stunning Week 1 loss, but with Baltimore celebrating 30 years since Art Modell moved the Browns to Charm City, Cleveland may have their own score to settle.
Regardless of the storylines, the Ravens are trying to earn their first win of the 2025 NFL season. They are expected to be a top-tier Super Bowl contender this year, and many believe they could be representing the AFC by the time February rolls around. Still, there is a ton to prove after they looked incredibly flawed in Week 1.
Their matchup against Cleveland seems like an easy win, but nothing comes easy in the AFC North. Here are three key matchups that Baltimore must win if they want to defeat the Browns on Sunday.
3 key battles the Ravens must win to defeat the Browns in home opener
Derrick Henry vs. Grant Delpit
Ravens’ running back Derrick Henry versus Browns’ safety Grant Delpit has become the storyline to watch on Sunday. All week, Cleveland players have been calling out the Baltimore side, but Delpit may have provoked the wrong player.
On Thursday, Delpit called tackling Henry 'not hard.' In response, Henry is ready to let his play do the talking. Henry kicked off his 2025 campaign in an electric way, going for 169 yards and two touchdowns against the Bills. He is undoubtedly a top-two back in the league, which makes it all the more crazy to see Delpit call out the 31-year-old.
Delpit is an excellent player in his own right, but Henry owned Cleveland in 2024. In Week 8, he ran for 73 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Week 18 was even better, as Baltimore rode Henry’s 138-yard, two-touchdown game to an AFC North title. He seems to run wild on opposing teams every week, and all Delpit did was add more fuel to the fire.
If Henry can continue to find success, it should pave the way to a big-time win for Baltimore.
Ravens’ secondary vs. themselves
The Ravens beat themselves in Week 1. The defense folded in the biggest moments and let Josh Allen pick them apart in the fourth quarter. There is too much talent within that unit to see another meltdown like that happen again, but if they do not get on the same page, we could see them falter again.
All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey mentioned that guys were trying to make the game-winning play, rather than the right play in Buffalo. That kind of playstyle almost never wins football games, even against teams with lackluster offenses. With that in mind, they are approaching Sunday's game with a no-nonsense mentality.
Although the Browns do not have a star-studded group on offense, players like David Njoku, Jerry Jeudy, and Harold Fannin Jr. could be dynamic threats through the air. Baltimore’s secondary matches up well on paper, with Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton, and Nate Wiggins leading the group, but after giving up 394 passing yards in Week 1, there is no telling how good or bad things could be.
Ravens defensive line vs. Browns offensive line
The Browns have the pieces to dominate in the trenches. Their trio on the interior offensive line of Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, and Joel Bitonio is one of the best in the NFL, and tackle Jack Conklin provides reliable play, as well. They will be going up against a Baltimore defensive line that is also uber-talented.
While the unit did not find much success against Buffalo, they could be one of the more fearsome groups in 2025. Nnamdi Madubuike and Travis Jones control an impressive interior, and edge rushers Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, and Mike Green are expected to have strong seasons. They have a great chance to find their footing in Week 2.
Baltimore’s inability to contain and sack Allen in Week 1 was a leading factor that contributed to their loss. While Joe Flacco does not possess Allen’s type of escapability, the Ravens cannot afford to give him too much time to throw. Even at 40 years old, Flacco can still get it done, and Baltimore must make him uncomfortable on Sunday.
If Baltimore can win these three battles, a win on Sunday would look all the more likely.