After the Ravens traded for linebacker Roquan Smith in late October, coach John Harbaugh called the chemistry between the newly acquired tackling-machine and Ravens third-year linebacker Patrick Queen “love at first sight.” Five games in, Smith describes the duo as the best linebacker pair in the NFL. Queen says he is inclined to agree, but that they have more work to do.

Their job will continue Saturday when the Ravens (9-4), looking to stay atop the AFC North, face the run-heavy Cleveland Browns (5-8).

All in all, the trade deadline deal for Smith has worked out swimmingly for the Ravens so far. In exchange for a pair of 2023 draft picks and reserve linebacker A.J. Klein, the Ravens got one of the best all-around linebackers in football, who has provided an immediate impact to an at times leaky defense.

Since the Ravens acquired Smith from the Chicago Bears, Baltimore’s defense has allowed the NFL’s fewest rush yards per game (55), second-fewest points per game (13.4) and second-fewest touchdowns (6). Smith has kept up his furious tackling pace —making 37 stops — and his presence appears to have made everyone around him better, including Queen, who hasn’t developed into the kind of offense-killing inside linebacker the Ravens might have imagined when they drafted him in the first round out of LSU.

Playing alongside Smith, Queen definitely has less of a burden to carry in games. Smith can play both in the middle of the formation and on the weak side — and Queen has the same ability, making the pair interchangeable next to outside linebacker Tyus Bowser.

And Queen has been just as, if not more, productive than before. In the five-game stretch since Smith arrived in Baltimore, Queen has 38 tackles, one more than his new running buddy. In the five games before the trade, Queen had 34 tackles.

Smith, who had a messy ending in Chicago in pursuit of a new contract, has already endeared himself to many teammates in Baltimore with his work ethic and leadership. And Queen hasn’t shown the slightest indication of being territorial. Far from it. He’s picked up a few things from Smith, and says he’s been impressed by his game.

“He just has a great motor,” Queen said of Smith. “If you watch film, you see every play he runs to the ball nonstop with his hair on fire and really lights somebody up … I think we both know how great we can be, and I think that’s pushing us to be better.”

Harbaugh said their playing styles seem to fit well together.

“Patrick can really run around and explode and make some plays, and Roquan can do the same thing,” he said. “He kind of has a real good instinct and knack, and Patrick’s instinct is really growing tremendously.”

Having a pair of multitalented inside linebackers, who can play the run and drop into pass coverage — as they both showed Sunday with interceptions of Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky on back-to-back drives — is a luxury for any team. And it should come in handy against Saturday’s opponent.

The strength of the Browns offense is their running attack. They’ve averaged almost 150 yards on the ground this season, ranking fifth in the NFL. Browns running back Nick Chubb has 1,153 rushing yards, backfield mate Kareem Hunt has 423 and they’ve combined for nine touchdowns. Plus, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson — appearing in his third game after serving an 11-game suspension over numerous claims of sexual assault and sexual misconduct — is a running threat too, especially when pass plays break down.

“This will probably be our biggest challenge since the last time we played Cleveland,” Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald said, noting the Ravens close 23-20 win over the Browns in October. “Our guys know what’s at stake and the task at hand.”

Something will have to give. The Ravens are one of only four NFL teams that have yet to allow a 100-yard rusher in a game this season. (Chubb got close, with 91 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in the first meeting with the Browns.) And the Ravens are forcing turnovers, which have been a necessity to win close games while the offense has grinded out points. They have the league’s second-most interceptions (14) and second-most total takeaways (23).

“Anytime you get great players on the field, you let them try to do what they do,” Macdonald said. “That kind of augments itself, and just has an effect over the whole course of the defense. We can do a lot of things with those guys out there. They both know both spots, so they both can play both positions. It’s paying dividends for us right now.”

A pertinent question now is if Smith and Queen continue their relationship beyond this year. Smith’s contract is up after the season. That’s part of the reason the Bears traded him. He wanted a long-term deal and top dollar for his position, and negotiations fell apart before the season between Smith, who represents himself, and Bears general manager Ryan Poles.

It’s a similar situation to what the Ravens have with quarterback Lamar Jackson. So, the Ravens will have address the contract statuses of their top offensive star and arguably their best defensive player in the same offseason.

Extra points

Aside from the significant knee injury to Jackson — who won’t play Saturday — the Ravens are the healthiest they’ve been in weeks heading into a game day. Only right tackle Morgan Moses, right guard Kevin Zeitler and punter Jordan Stout are listed as “questionable” with knee issues, but they were all full participants in the Ravens’ walkthrough Thursday, their final practice of the week. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley is out of the NFL’s concussion protocol and is in line to start.

The Browns’ top wideout, Amari Cooper, is dealing with a hip injury. He practiced a small amount just one day this week, but plans to play in the game.

Ravens kicker Justin Tucker may set another franchise record. A week after becoming the club’s all-time points leader (with 1,473, topping Matt Stover’s longtime record of 1,464), Tucker can set a new record for field goals made as a Raven with one more kick. He is currently tied with Stover atop the Ravens all-time field goals made list with 354.

Ravens at Browns

Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

Watch: WBAL/NFL Network

Listen: WBAL (1090 AM), 98Rock (97.9 FM), SiriusXM (Ch. 82 or 226)