The Battle For the AFC North

The Battle for AFC North First Place

Welcome to Week 6, Browns fans. The 3-2 Browns return to Huntington Bank Field to host the 4-1 Baltimore Ravens in a high-stakes clash for first place in the AFC North.

As always, the ChicagoLand Browns Backers/Northside Dawg Pound will pack Burke’s Public House to cheer the team on to victory. Kickoff is set for 12:00 PM CST.

The Monken Factor & Injury Report

Sunday marks head coach Todd Monken’s first time facing his former squad. After serving as Baltimore’s offensive coordinator for the past three seasons, Monken’s inside knowledge of the Ravens’ roster could give Cleveland a massive edge.

  • Coaching Shift: Baltimore features a new staff led by former Chargers DC Jesse Minter.
  • Key Absences: The Ravens announced that All-Pro QB Lamar Jackson will miss the game with an ankle injury, leaving former Brown Tyler “Snoop” Huntley under center.
  • Browns Injury Outlook: RB Dylan Sampson and DT Mike Hall are ruled out, while DT Mason Graham, LB Carson Schesinger, RB Quinshon Judkins, DE Derek Barnett, and OG Teven Jenkins are listed as questionable.

Exposing Baltimore’s Record

Baltimore has rattled off three consecutive wins by seven points or less to reach 4-1, but a closer look exposes a soft schedule. This is the first time all season the Ravens are playing a team with a winning record.

  • Favorable Slate: Baltimore’s first five opponents combined for a meager 7-17 record. Their four wins came against the Colts, Cowboys, Falcons, and Titans, with their lone loss against the Saints.
  • Nail-Biter Wins: Their recent streak includes an overtime escape against Atlanta and a narrow victory over Dallas aided by a late-clock gaffe.
  • Trench Warfare: With Jackson out, everything hinges on a run game averaging 164.4 rushing yards per game (3rd in NFL) and 5.1 yards per carry.
  • The Derrick Henry Threat: Henry leads all running backs in carries, racking up 476 rushing yards (5th in NFL) and 7 rushing TDs. Change-of-pace back Justice Hill adds a terrifying 7.4 yards per carry.

Huntley Changes the Math

Switching from Jackson to Huntley completely flips the script for Jim Schwartz’s pass defense.

  • The Numbers: Huntley boasts a 78% completion rate (2nd among QBs), but his 6.4 yards per pass and 3.9-yard depth of target are way down compared to Jackson’s explosive metrics.
  • Quick Game: Over 80% of Huntley’s passes travel 9 yards or less, meaning Cleveland must tackle well in space and squeeze passing windows.
  • Dangerous Weapons: Pro Bowl WR Zay Flowers paces Baltimore with 26 catches for 15.6 yards per reception, flanked by deep threat Rashod Bateman and star tight end Mark Andrews.
  • Vulnerable Defense: Baltimore’s defense ranks 19th in points allowed (24 PPG) and 21st in sack rate, giving Cleveland’s struggling offense a prime opportunity to break out.

Where in the World is Jared Verse?

When the Browns pulled off the blockbuster trade sending Myles Garrett to Los Angeles in exchange for Jared Verse and draft capital, the front office insisted Verse was the cornerstone of the deal. Through five games, those returns are hard to swallow.

  • Staggering Stats: Despite logging the second-most pass-rush snaps on the team, Verse has 0 sacks and only 10 QB pressures (5th on the team).
  • The Wrong Kind of Record: Verse has more penalties (5) than sacks, QB hits, and batted passes combined.
  • Grim Rankings: PFF grades him 84th among pass rushers and 98th among defensive ends, a far cry from his 7.5 sacks and 27 QB hits with the Rams last year.

If the Browns want to control the AFC North, Jared Verse needs to flip the switch immediately.

See you Sunday. GO BROWNS…..GO GUARDIANS…..GO CAVS!

From the Editor/WebMaster: Thank you for reading and joining us again for this 2026 season – we hope to see you at Burke’s Irish Pub at 5401 N Broadway, Chicago IL for the games! Don’t forget to check out our Merch and our Socials. All Merch proceeds goes to charity!