Emily: He’s been waiting for this. For weeks, the narrative has been about who steps up when Lamar Jackson sits, but this week it’s personal. Tyler Huntley isn’t just starting against Cleveland; he’s walking into the lion’s den to face the man who helped build his offense.
Chris: And let’s be clear, Emily—this isn’t just about sentimentality. Todd Monken knows the Ravens’ playbook better than anyone because he wrote half of it. He told the team he wants to 'kick our tail.' That is not a subtle hint.
Emily: Let’s get right into it. Segment One: The Matchup. Chris, you’ve watched the tape. What is the single biggest storyline heading into Baltimore’s trip to Cleveland?
Emily: So does Huntley have an answer for that? Because last week in Atlanta, he went 24-of-32 for 201 yards and two touchdowns. That’s efficient, but was it pretty? Or did he rely heavily on check-downs to survive?
Emily: Right, and remember, the Falcons managed to sack Huntley once via Trenton Simpson? No wait, that was Simpson for Baltimore. Let’s get our facts straight. Samson Ebukam got one for Atlanta. So Huntley was relatively clean, but the scoring was low. Three field goals from Tyler Loop. That’s a game that should have been higher scoring.
Emily: So the key is speed of release. But here’s the thing, Chris—Derrick Henry ran for 102 yards on 24 carries in Atlanta. The run game worked. Is that the same story in Cleveland? Can Henry break through even with Cam Jurgens out at center?
Emily: That’s a tough ask for Henry, who thrives on vision and cuts. But if the Ravens can establish the run early, maybe they can force Cleveland to respect the ground game, which opens up those quick passing lanes for Huntley. It’s a chicken-and-egg problem.
Emily: We’ll see if that strategy holds up. Stick with us—we’re going to dive deeper into the injuries and the players who might make or break this game next.
Emily: Welcome back. Segment Two: Key Players and the Injury Picture. Chris, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Lamar Jackson is ruled out. Again. Kyle Hamilton said everyone has 'utmost confidence' in Huntley. Do you share that confidence?
Emily: What about the receiving corps? Rashod Bateman had five catches for 62 yards in Atlanta. Zay Flowers is healthy, right? He wasn’t listed in the injury report from last week.
Emily: Let’s shift to defense. Za'Darius Smith is questionable. If he’s out, who takes the edge rush snaps? And what about C.J. Henderson? He’s ruled out. That weakens the secondary significantly.
Emily: So the defense is taking hits across the board. Yasir Abdullah and A.J. Terrell Jr. are on IR. Da'Shawn Hand is also out. This is a thin defense. How do they contain Derrick Henry? Wait, wrong team. How do they contain Cleveland’s running game?
Emily: Starks is a tackle machine. But can he handle the double teams? And what about the linebackers? Jay Higgins IV and Teddye Buchanan—they need to be disciplined in coverage. Monken loves using running backs in the passing game.
Emily: It’s a lot of moving parts. Injuries piling up, a familiar coach, and a QB trying to prove himself. Before we get into our keys to the game, we need to take a quick moment to talk about how this show keeps running.
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Chris: It means the world to us. Now, back to business. Segment Three: Keys to the Game and Prediction. Emily, what’s the number one key for Baltimore to win this one?
Emily: Protecting Huntley. If the offensive line can give him even four seconds, he can make plays. Ronnie Stanley needs to hold up against Cleveland’s edge rushers. If Stanley gets pushed back, Huntley is in trouble.
Chris: I agree. But I’d add a second key: Control the turnover battle. Huntley didn’t turn it over in Atlanta. He needs to keep that streak alive. Monken will look for one mistake—a bad read, a fumble—and he will capitalize. If Huntley stays clean, Baltimore wins.
Emily: Okay, bold prediction time. Last week, we said the Ravens would win 20-17 against Atlanta, and we were close. The defense forced a turnover. Will they do it again in Cleveland? And what’s the final score?
Chris: I think the defense forces another turnover. Maybe a strip-sack on Cleveland’s QB. And I’m predicting the Ravens win 24-20. It’s going to be gritty. Henry rushes for 90 yards, Huntley goes 18-of-28, and the special teams—Tyler Loop—kicks two crucial field goals.
Emily: 24-20. I like it. I think Huntley proves he belongs in that start. He completes 21 passes, no interceptions, and the Ravens climb to 5-1. A huge statement win in the AFC North.
Chris: We’ll know soon enough. Sunday, 1 PM ET. Tune in.
Emily: Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with a fellow Raven fan. Go Ravens!