5 questions with a Browns reporter before Week 10 showdown vs. Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens (7-2) will try to add more distance between them and one of their chasers in the AFC North when they face the Cleveland Browns (5-3) inside The Bank on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

Baltimore has already beaten Cleveland once when they won the first game between the two back in Week 4, but that matchup came with an asterisk as the Browns couldn't count on starting QB Deshaun Watson, out with an injury back then.

To get more insight from the Browns' side of things, I spoke to Brad Ward of The Orange & Brown Report, 247Sports' site dedicated to the Cleveland Browns.

Brad touched on all topics you can imagine to give us a better picture of what waits for Baltimore come kick-off time next Sunday.

Check out Brad's answers below!

The Ravens caught a break in Week 4 when they faced rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson. What has changed since then, and since Watson retook the reins?

Since the DTR disaster, P.J. Walker went 2-1, including a surprise win over the 49ers when they looked like one of the best teams in the league. It was a shocking outcome with Walker under center.

Watson returned last week against the Cardinals and looked shaky at first but eventually made some encouraging throws in the second half.

I have no idea what to expect from him against the Ravens' defense, but I don't feel great about it.

Numbers tell me the Browns defense seems to be the unit carrying the team forward. Is that still the main reason for hope in Cleveland's chances at a deep postseason run?

They are an easy group to root for, and they have played well but also got exposed a bit by the Ravens' last meeting and by Indianapolis. They seem to have more trouble with RPO-heavy offenses.

Of course, there is hope for a postseason run, and the defense is a big part of that, but most realize that is only a real possibility if they start to get solid and consistent play from Watson.

The passing game seems to be awful in a league-wide context, but the team is rushing for the third-most yards per game! How is that possible with Nick Chubb out?

Kevin Stefanski and Bill Callahan always find a way to keep the run game going. They have found a nice mix in their running back by committee approach with Jerome Ford, Kareem Hunt, and Pierre Strong.

The issue now is that they have lost both starting tackles and rookie Dawand Jones, who has filled in for Jack Conklin at right tackle, is questionable for Sunday. It looks like the offensive line could be a patchwork group this week.

The Browns were 2-2 before their bye but have gone 3-1 since. Is that improvement real and promising, or just a fluke? Barring last week's, all games were razor-thin close...

I want to think it's real and promising, but their success is not sustainable without improved play at the quarterback position.

Where do you see Cleveland finishing the season? Can they get into the playoffs as the No. 2 team in the AFC North? Where is the postseason ceiling?

It's hard to say without seeing what Watson looks like after the shoulder injury. He had one good performance before getting hurt and looked okay against the Cardinals last week.

The crazy thing is the Browns likely would have beaten the Steelers and the Seahawks with average quarterback play.

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If Watson could provide some stability and fewer turnovers, they could probably get into the playoffs. However, they won't make any noise unless he can provide top-ten-caliber quarterback play.