Expert predictions for Ravens vs. Browns: Who will win Week 6 clash?

The Ravens (4-1) will face the Cleveland Browns (3-2) at Huntington Bank Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. Here are game predictions from The Banner’s sports staff and a guest picker.

The Ravens were favored by 3.5 points as of Thursday, according to DraftKings.

Matchup mismatch

Kyle Goon, columnist (3-2): Is Derrick Henry standing behind me as I make this pick? No? Well, either way I was going to pick the Ravens here — I swear. Henry has a ton to do with this pick. The Browns are mediocre at stopping the run. Whether Lamar Jackson or Tyler Huntley makes the start, I have a ton of confidence in Baltimore after it bashed Atlanta’s top-ranked run D on “Sunday Night Football.” The Browns should be having nightmares about Henry running them over.

Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson’s resurgence, in my view, has been greatly exaggerated. With Trey Hendrickson back, the Ravens’ ability to pressure should be stronger. The biggest threat to the defense is a group of pass catchers that is very good after the catch. But Baltimore’s performance in Atlanta suggests it is improving at tackling and getting assignments right. I’d worry about wrinkles from Todd Monken on the play sheet, but the Ravens’ talent wins this one.

Ravens 27, Browns 20

Tyler Huntley keeps it rolling

Giana Han, reporter (3-2): I said I’d be open to Declan Doyle changing my mind, and he did. There’s something to be said for finding offensive success when everyone knows what’s coming. Everyone knew the Ravens would lean on Derrick Henry heavily and that Tyler Huntley would use his legs against what was one of the top run defenses in Atlanta. And now they face a once-great run defense that has lost its bite without Myles Garrett.

The Browns’ starting quarterback will have to prepare for a pass rush that looked like it was starting to click — and that’s getting Trey Hendrickson back. The secondary is the Ravens’ weakest area right now, but the Browns’ passing offense is mediocre.

And let’s not forget this is a Browns team that cut Huntley and has a former Ravens coach who chose to use Josh Johnson and Cooper Rush as the backup over him. I don’t think Huntley is the type to hold a grudge, but he proved the doubters wrong last week and I think he’d enjoy doing it again.

Ravens 27, Browns 20

Throw logic out the window

Jonas Shaffer, reporter (4-1): If Lamar Jackson is healthy enough to play Sunday without too many limitations, the Ravens should win comfortably. Even if he’s not available, the Ravens could win comfortably. The Browns’ run defense was already shaky, and now Cleveland could be without star linebacker Carson Schwesinger (ankle).

Then again, how often do AFC North games really make sense? Especially when these teams have so much familiarity with each other? The Browns have the pass rush and cornerback talent to bottle up a Tyler Huntley-led passing attack. Rookie wideout Denzel Boston is a big-play threat. If Cleveland gets the Deshaun Watson who impressed during its three-game winning streak, the Ravens will be on upset watch. But they have too much veteran talent to lose in Cleveland.

Ravens 20, Browns 17

The Ravens outrun Browns

Childs Walker, contributor (2-3): Even with Lamar Jackson likely out, the Ravens deserve to be solidly favored over the Browns, who haven’t played as well as their record indicates. Give Todd Monken props for breathing spirit into a moribund team and for getting functional quarterback play out of Deshaun Watson. But Cleveland’s offense entered the week 27th in yards per play, with a blah running game. Watson has a legitimate downfield target in rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston, so Jesse Minter will tailor his game plan to avoid being beaten over the top, trusting that the Browns will be unable to string together long drives.

Cleveland’s defense is banged up and has not been as stout against the run as it was a few years ago, so Tyler Huntley should be able to move the Ravens as he did against Atlanta’s formidable front. Declan Doyle’s creative play calling means that loading up against Derrick Henry can’t be an opponent’s only answer. The Ravens’ trips to Cleveland never seem to go as smoothly as logic would dictate, so it won’t be a surprise if they’re sweating this one out in the fourth quarter. In the end, the Browns won’t keep up.

Ravens 27, Browns 17

You come at the King, you best not miss

Brandon Weigel, editor (3-2): Apologies to Derrick Henry! He called out media types who picked against the Ravens last week, and I was one of many who thought the game would go the other way. The Atlanta Falcons have the best run defense in the league, I said. The Ravens’ interior line is struggling, I suggested.

None of it mattered. Henry ran 24 times for 102 yards against the Falcons — and he was more dominant than his counterpart, Bijan Robinson, who was coming off two straight outstanding performances.

Cleveland offers no such concerns with its anemic run game and middling defense. The Browns allow 117.4 rushing yards per game (18th in the NFL) and 4.5 yards per carry (23rd). If two of the Browns’ best defenders, linebacker Carson Schwesinger (ankle) and defensive tackle Mason Graham (knee, ankle), are unable to go, expect another Henry-heavy attack and a fourth straight win.

Ravens 23, Browns 17

Guest pick

Ashley Bastock, cleveland.com: The injury reports for both of these teams are long, and I feel like it’s setting up to be a weird week. Assuming Lamar Jackson does not play, I think the Browns defense can have success against Tyler Huntley. Even with a depleted middle of the defensive line, they are in a very similar position to last week. The Ravens’ offensive injuries ultimately leave me with more questions than the Browns’ defensive injuries.

Browns 17, Ravens 13