An unfortunate Week 5 loss to the New York Jets took a little wind out of the Cleveland Browns sails after a surprising 3-1 start to the season. At 3-2, however, everything is still in front of them in terms of chasing what would be an unexpected playoff berth. 

That road continues on Sunday with the Baltimore Ravens coming to town for a game that will determine who's in first place in the AFC North. Whether or not the Browns are going to emerge as the division leaders this weekend, these three metrics could be why. 

Explosive plays are likely to decide who wins this football game. The Browns enter Sunday ted for 17th in plays of 20+ yards on offense with 17 of them. The Ravens, however, are tied for 3rd with 22, and they’re one of only four teams that have three or more plays of 50 yards or more as well. 

The key will be limiting the number of explosive plays the Ravens hit in this game, which might be easier said than done for a Browns defense that has given up the ninth most explosive plays so far this season (20).

On the flip side, though, Cleveland's offense may be able to find some success with explosives. Baltimore has surrendered the fifth-most explosive plays to begin the season (21) and 11 of those have come over the last two weeks alone. 

There may be some real opportunities to hit on some big plays in this game, but the Browns have to limit the Ravens' ability to do that too. 

It seems obvious, but especially in an AFC North football game, running the football and stopping the run is going to be key. The Browns have struggled severely to get their run game off the ground, averaging just 94.2 yards per game and 4.5 yards per rush. The most effective running threat in their offense right now has been Deshaun Watson as a scrambler. 

Meanwhile, the Ravens unsurprisingly boast one of the best rushing attacks in the league. Their 164.4 yards per game on the ground ranks third. Their 5.1 yards per attempt ranks third, as well.

Slowing Derrick Henry, who has gone over 100 yards twice this season already and scored seven times, will be crucial to Cleveland taking down their division rival, as will be getting their run game finally going. That may be easier said then done if Quinshon Judkins doesn't play. He's currently listed as questionable. 

The Ravens enter Sunday as one of the best teams in the NFL when it comes to finishing red zone drives with touchdowns. Of their 19 trips inside the opponents 20, they've scored touchdowns 14 times. That's a 73.7% clip, which ranks fifth. 

Conversely, the Browns defense has had a very bend but don't break mentality by allowing touchdowns to their opponents on just 42.9% of their red zone trips, a figure that ranks fourth overall. 

This is a classic case of something's gotta give. Baltimore is highly efficient in the red, but if Cleveland can continue it's trend of limiting the damage and holding opponents to field goals, it could go a long way in keeping this game close to then steal it late.