Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson remains questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the Cleveland Browns due to a left ankle injury. The Ravens (4-1) will face off against the Browns (3-2) in a key AFC North division contest at Cleveland, with both teams vying for the divisional lead.
The Browns will be led by first-year head coach Todd Monken, who spent the past three seasons as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator. Monken, 60, acknowledged the unique dynamic of facing his former team but expressed mixed feelings about how much advantage his familiarity with the Ravens’ personnel and systems might provide.
“I don’t know about that,” Monken said when asked if knowing the Ravens players would be beneficial. “Gets offset by what we do on offense I guess. Got a lot of respect for their players. What you see is what you get from them.” He also reflected positively on his time in Baltimore. “Did I enjoy my time there? Of course. A lot of really good memories. Got a lot of good friends and people there. Other than that, no, it’s a divisional game.”
Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey noted the intensity expected from Monken’s team, saying, “If I know Todd the way I think I know Todd, he will want to kick our tails.”
This game represents the first division rivalry matchup for Ravens head coach Jesse Minter, who took over in January after serving as the Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive coordinator. Minter emphasized the heightened significance of division games. “I’ve always felt like the division games mean a little bit more. It’s just really an intent and a focus when you play division teams. It’s our first crack at that,” he said.
Sunday’s slate also features other crucial clashes involving 4-1 division leaders. The AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills (4-1) travel to face the Las Vegas Raiders (3-2), while the AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1) take on Houston Texans (1-4) in London. These matchups could have significant implications as the NFL season progresses and teams compete for playoff positioning.