The Ravens (4-5) are in Cleveland to face the Browns (2-7) in an AFC North matchup that sees the rivals heading in opposite directions. Jim Harbaugh's team has won three straight games and sits one game behind Pittsburgh for the division lead with two matchups looming. Kevin Stefanski's team has lost two games in a row and would have the No. 5 overall pick if the season ended today.
Baltimore is 38-15 all-time against the Browns, with a 27-8 record under head coach John Harbaugh, which includes a 41-17 win in Week 2 this season. Under Harbaugh, the Ravens are 12-5 in Cleveland, where the Browns have won three of the past four meetings.
With kickoff fast approaching, we're looking at ten matchups to watch in Week 11.
Ravens' OC Todd Monken vs. Browns' DC Jim Schwartz
The Ravens’ offensive coordinator and longtime college and NFL coach, who has also worked with the Browns, does a great job of creating favorable matchups for his team. Schwartz wants to bring immense pressure off the edge and make things uncomfortable for Lamar Jackson without utilizing the blitz. In the running game, look for Monken to use multiple traps, whams, and counters to create running lanes. Monken will use receiver Zay Flowers in motion to create eye conflict and indecision from the second-level defenders. With Justice Hill injured, Monken could utilize Keaton Mitchell in the passing game.
Lamar Jackson vs. Browns LB Devin Bush
In his last outing, Jackson completed 17 of his 29 pass attempts for 176 yards with a touchdown, while adding nine carries for 36 yards in the Ravens' Week 10 win over the Vikings. With Cleveland looking to pressure Jackson, Bush could be tasked with playing the spy.
CB Nate Wiggins vs. WR Jerry Jeudy
Wiggins wants to face the opposition's best wide receiver, and with Marlon Humphrey out, the former Clemson star will likely draw Jeudy on the outside. In two career games against the Browns, Wiggins had an interception in each, including one in Week 2 that was nearly a pick-six. Jeudy is coming off the best game of the season last week when he caught six passes for 78 yards and a touchdown.
OLB Dre'Mont Jones/Kyle Van Noy vs. Browns offensive tackles
With Mike Green's status in jeopardy due to an ankle injury, Jones is in line for an increased workload after a dominant debut. Jones had four pressures and two quarterback hits. Browns offensive tackle Jack Conklin gave up two sacks and 11 quarterback pressures last week against the Jets, per Next Gen Stats.
Teddye Buchanan/Roquan Smith vs. RB Quinshon Judkins
Smith had one of his best career games against the Browns in Week 2 with 15 tackles and a 63-yard fumble return for a touchdown. In that matchup, the rookie running back ran for 61 yards on 11 attempts in his career debut. Since then, Judkins leads all rookies in rushing yards. Ravens rookie linebacker Teddye Buchan has 69 tackles, and he'll be a factor in base defense situations.
RB Derrick Henry vs. LB Carson Schwesinger
The Browns held Henry to a season-low 23 yards on 11 carries in the Ravens' home opener. Schwesinger has been one of the bright spots for the Browns this season, leading the team in tackles as a second-round pick.
LT Ronnie Stanley/RT Roger Rosengarten vs. DE Myles Garrett
Stanley will meet a familiar face in Garrett, who is tied for the league-high in sacks with 11. Garrett had 1.5 sacks and four quarterback pressures against Baltimore in Week 2, per Next Gen Stats.
Ravens tight end vs. Browns safeties
Mark Andrews has 29 catches for 244 yards, while Isaiah Likely has 10 grabs for 103 yards. For Cleveland, Ronnie Hickman has 54 tackles, one tackle for loss, three passes defended, and two interceptions. Grant Delpit has 44 tackles, one sack, and four passes defended.
Zay Flowers vs. Denzel Ward
With Rashod Bateman out, Flowers should draw the attention of star Browns' cornerback Denzel Ward. Flowers leads Baltimore with 50 catches for 625 yards and one score. Cleveland's Denzel Ward has recorded 26 tackles, one interception, and five passes defensed this season.
Ward's 52.2 overall grade is 90th in the NFL.
Ravens' safeties vs. Browns' tight end
Cleveland rookie tight end Third round pick TE Harold Fannin Jr. is leading the Browns with 42 receptions, the most by any Browns rookie in the first 10 weeks. He is third among all NFL rookies in receptions and fifth in receiving yards (396). David Njoku is 99 receiving yards away from the ninth-most career receiving yards by a Brown. He would pass Brian Brennan (4,148). Trading for former Chargers safety Alohi Gilman has allowed the Ravens to put fewer true safety reps on Kyle Hamilton's plate and let the 6-foot-4, 218-pound 2022 first-round draft choice to play his majority of snaps closer to the line of scrimmage, either as a nickel corner or in the box as a safety-linebacker hybrid as Baltimore tries to maximize Hamilton's chess-piece abilities. Gilman and Malaki Stars will be tasked with slowing down the Browns' tight ends.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: ravens vs. Browns: 10 key matchups to watch in Week 11 matchup