The Baltimore Ravens are set for an AFC North clash with the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. After defeating them in Week 2, 41-17, Baltimore has a chance to make it two in a row against Cleveland in Week 11. It is a road matchup, and the Ravens have struggled in Cleveland over the past four seasons, dropping three of their last four road matchups against the division rival.
This is not necessarily a must-win game for Baltimore, but they have to capitalize against an inferior opponent. They have a light two-game stretch against the Browns and New York Jets coming up, posing a massive opportunity to climb over .500 for the first time all season by the time they face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13. They could also be leading the AFC North if all goes well when the Thanksgiving game comes.
It starts in Cleveland, though. Here are three keys to the game that would certainly give Baltimore the edge in Week 11.
Three keys for Ravens’ matchup with Browns
Do everything it takes to limit Myles Garrett
This is obvious. It is easier said than done, but the Ravens must throw the kitchen sink at Myles Garrett to limit his pressure rates on Sunday.
You simply cannot stop the four-time All-Pro, who has tallied 11 sacks in 2025, but tackles Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten showed the ability to make life difficult for Garrett last season. In their two matchups, Garrett did not record a single sack against Baltimore last year.
With the Ravens’ offensive line struggling this year, they may look to double or even triple-team Garrett to keep quarterback Lamar Jackson out of harm’s way. Given Garrett's exceptional talent, you can live with other Browns’ defensive linemen getting more favorable matchups if it means ensuring they handle Garrett up front.
Stop Quinshon Judkins, force the game into Dillon Gabriel’s hands
Last time the Ravens faced the Browns, rookie running back Quinshon Judkins made some impressive runs. He finished his NFL debut with 10 carries for 61 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. While he has not been as efficient as he was to kick off his professional career, he has still tallied 561 rushing yards and five touchdowns through eight games.
Sunday’s contest will likely be more run-focused than pass-focused for Cleveland’s offense. Their offense has been dreadful, but their rushing attack seems to have more life to it. Judkins had at least 22 carries in two of the Browns’ last three games. He only had nine in Week 9 against the New England Patriots, but that was largely due to it becoming a blowout by the third quarter.
If Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr’s defense can keep Judkins in check and allow the Ravens’ offense to take over early, that should force the game into Cleveland rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s hands. Gabriel has been erratic through his first five career starts, and as he faces a defense that has forced turnovers in each of their last four games, and six in their last two, Baltimore should be making the rookie see ghosts throughout the day.
Make a splash play in the return game
The Ravens’ return game has not been anything crazy in 2025. Rookie LaJohntay Wester has returned a few punts for substantial gains, and the team's various kick returners have set up shop relatively nicely for the offense, but there has been very little electricity. That needs to change on Sunday.
Going up against a defense like Cleveland’s, which ranks second in the NFL in yards allowed per game, yards, and points, will not come easily. Baltimore scored 41 points in Week 2, but a significant portion of that was assisted by the defense forcing turnovers and the special teams getting the fire started.
Wester almost broke one for a score the last time the two sides squared off, before being tripped up across midfield for a 23-yard gain. Whether it is Wester, running back Keaton Mitchell, or someone else who possibly gets involved on returns, that splash play on special teams needs to come.
Maybe fans will finally see Baltimore’s first touchdown on a return this week. Wester did it in Week 1 of the preseason against the Indianapolis Colts, and the time may be now for him to make another house call.