CLEVELAND, OH — The stakes couldn’t be higher as brothers Marcus and Anthony Sahagun lead their respective teams into battle in this Week 6 Game of the Week. The Cleveland Browns (3-2) will host the Baltimore Ravens (4-1) at FirstEnergy Stadium, reigniting a rivalry that has become one of the most compelling in the league.
A Family Feud with History
Last season, these teams met three times, with the Browns holding the edge thanks to a dominant 37-9 victory in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. That game saw the Ravens struggle without quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was sidelined with a broken collarbone suffered late in the regular season. Despite Jackson’s absence, the Browns showed no mercy, with quarterback Jeremiah Milton III throwing for three touchdowns and star tight end David Njoku leading the charge offensively.
However, the regular season told a different story. The Ravens and Browns split their series, with neither team managing to defend their home turf. This year, both teams have shown they’re among the AFC’s elite, making this matchup even more critical.
What’s at Stake?
The Ravens enter the game ranked second in the league in points per game (31.6), with Jackson looking every bit like the MVP candidate he was before last year’s injury. Jackson’s favorite target, wide receiver Danny Gray, has emerged as a deep threat, leading the team with 442 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, the ground game is powered by Derrick Henry, who has 293 rushing yards on the season.
The Browns boast the league’s top-ranked offense, averaging 346.8 yards per game, thanks to the stellar play of Milton III. Milton has thrown for 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, with Njoku and running back Nick Chubb providing consistent firepower. Cleveland’s defense has also been stout, ranking seventh in points allowed per game, a testament to their ability to stifle high-octane offenses.
Keys to Victory
For the Ravens, the dynamic duo of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry will be critical. Jackson has thrown for 1,270 yards and 12 touchdowns while completing 65.4% of his passes. His ability to stretch the field is complemented by Henry’s bruising running style, as the veteran back has rushed for 293 yards and two touchdowns this season. In the passing game, wideout Danny Gray is averaging 88.4 receiving yards per game with five touchdowns, making him a key target for Jackson.
On defense, the Ravens will rely on Odafe Oweh, who has already recorded seven sacks in five games, and Roquan Smith, who leads the team with 13 tackles and two forced fumbles.
For the Browns, quarterback Joe Milton III has been stellar, throwing for 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns. Milton’s ability to distribute the ball effectively has elevated the play of tight end David Njoku, who leads the team with 338 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Wideout Jerry Jeudy has also been a consistent target, averaging 58.3 receiving yards per game with four scores.
Defensively, the Browns’ front seven is anchored by Myles Garrett, who has five sacks, and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who has added two sacks and an interception. Cornerback Greg Newsome II has been a standout in coverage, recording three interceptions and a defensive touchdown.
More than just bragging rights
This game isn’t just about bragging rights for the Sahagun brothers—it’s about AFC supremacy and playoff positioning. Will the Ravens avenge last year’s crushing playoff defeat, or will the Browns continue to assert their dominance? Tune in this week to find out.
