Enjoying towards the Cleveland Browns with out OT Morgan Moses on Sunday was once now not an excellent state of affairs for the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens would pass directly to lose their different bookend offensive take on — Ronnie Stanley — within the fourth quarter and best cornerback Marlon Humphrey within the 3rd. Whilst that is a long way from an excellent state of affairs, the Ravens’ offense did organize 24 issues towards the most productive protection within the league, however nonetheless misplaced to the division-rival Browns at house.
The Ravens fell into an outdated addiction of blowing an early lead. They have been up 24-9 at halftime, scored yet one more time the remainder of the sport, and would pass directly to lose 33-31. That ultimate Ravens’ offensive landing was once scored in a while after a muffed Browns’ punt deep in their very own territory.
Then again, this Ravens’ loss can’t be blamed on conservative playcalling. Nor can it’s blamed on that pick-six that Lamar Jackson threw within the fourth quarter that was once because of a batted ball. What took place was once the Browns performed like a Tremendous Bowl contender on each side of the ball in the second one half of.
Offense was once thought to be the Browns’ deadly flaw going into the 2023 season. When Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending damage in Week 2, a questionable offense perceived to grow to be dangerous with proper take on Jack Conklin additionally out for the yr. Left take on Jedrick Wills Jr. went on injured reserve final week.
On best of all the ones issues, since Deshaun Watson returned to NFL motion in 2022 following a suspension for what the league concluded was once serial sexual misconduct, he had proven no resemblance to the quarterback who was once final a celeb in 2020.
He had already neglected 3 video games because of a shoulder damage and left early after handing over a stinker of a efficiency towards the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7. Watson was once on his strategy to an ordinary disappointing efficiency towards the Ravens on Sunday after going 6-for-20 on go makes an attempt within the first half of and throwing a pick-six at the opening power of the sport. He additionally went to the locker room for halftime early with an ankle damage.
Watson didn’t leave out a play, nor did he throw an incomplete go in the second one half of, alternatively, and would finish the day with 213 passing yards. The Browns ran a balanced assault that led to 2 touchdowns and a game-winning area target. On that ultimate power, Watson made one of the most performs of the sport with a 16-yard run that put the Browns close to field-goal place.
On offense, the Browns trudged alongside, however their explosive protection had the Ravens flummoxed after halftime. Myles Garrett lived within the Ravens’ backfield. Jackson is likely one of the maximum slippery athletes to ever play within the NFL, however he struggled to escape from that agile mountain of a person. The Ravens QB finished simplest 5 passes in the second one half of, and as a crew, they ran for 44 yards.
The Browns’ passing assault remains to be a weak point. A large receiver corps this is headlined through Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, and Cedric Tillman is a long way from what a high-octane squad such because the Miami Dolphins convey to the desk. Additionally, Watson has nonetheless now not proven the playmaking talent that his present crew determined was once value a completely assured, five-year contract.
All of that being stated, Cleveland knocked off a crew at the street that, in line with overall DVOA, the one groups in historical past higher thru 9 weeks have been the 2007 New England Patriots and 1991 Washington. The Browns did so through scoring on each and every second-half ownership towards a protection this is virtually as excellent as theirs.
Even with out their best possible offensive participant, the Browns obviously have sufficient ability to get to heights that the franchise hasn’t ever reached.
