Primetime Primer: Browns, Ravens looking to maintain respectability

The Cleveland Browns host the Baltimore Ravens on Monday with both teams looking to maintain respectability. The AFC North rivals are essentially out of the playoff picture, and are playing for pride.

It's not an ideal situation for the Browns and Ravens to be starting Josh McCown and Matt Schaub, respectively, but the game represents an opportunity for the teams to evaluate the long-term viability of two veteran quarterbacks.

With Johnny Manziel relegated to third-stringer, McCown's first priority is to establish rapport with Travis Benjamin, who appeared to fare better with Manziel under center. Although the Browns receiver is having the best season of his career, Benjamin's been held without a touchdown in seven consecutive games.

Lardarius Webb will likely draw the task of shadowing Benjamin. Though no longer an elite corner, the veteran possesses the speed to stick with the speedy Benjamin on deep routes. To best utilize Benjamin, the Browns may need to get their dormant running game involved to open up play action and free their dynamic receiver.

If he can't hook up with Benjamin consistently, McCown is fortunate enough to be playing with one of the league's best safety valves in tight end Gary Barnidge, who is undergoing a breakout season with 48 receptions for 667 yards and seven touchdowns, proving to be a mismatch against any linebacker that attempts to cover him. Six of Barnidge's seven touchdowns were scored with McCown at quarterback.

It's likely the Ravens will deploy safety Will Hill against Barnidge as a false outside linebacker. Hill is known for his tendency to impede run plays, and the Browns may try to take advantage of his aggressiveness at the line.

As for the Ravens' offense, Schaub is a serviceable backup and, unlike his counterpart McCown, isn't playing for an opportunity to start full time in 2016. Schaub will be leaning on Kamar Aiken, who's been catapulted to the top of Baltimore's depth chart due to myriad injuries. The Browns will counter with veteran Tramon Williams, known for his outstanding ball skills. But Aiken possesses a notable size advantage and will need to box out the Browns' No. 2 corner.

Schaub should also be eyeing tight end Crockett Gillmore, who's been excelling on intermediate routes. However, the Browns will likely deploy free safety Tashaun Gipson as a spy to stop the Ravens from gaining any momentum.

Player to Watch

Daryl Smith, LB, Ravens

Smith is one of the last remnants of the once-great Ravens defense that's suffered rampant injuries. The 33-year-old leads the Ravens with 83 tackles, and remains a dynamic force in run support. With the Browns sporting the NFL's 31st-ranked rushing attack, Smith could be in line for an outstanding game against the AFC North doormat.

Did you know?

• Baltimore holds a 24-9 head-to-head advantage historically.
• The previous iteration of the Browns franchise relocated to Baltimore in 1996. As part of the stipulations, the NFL deactivated the "Browns" name for three years, giving rise to the current Cleveland franchise in 1999.