Despite some success early throwing the ball, a play like this became more common as the Browns continued to ignore their running game. (BaltimoreRavens.com)
Browns make the mistakes at the end to lose fourth in a row
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
BALTIMORE, MD
Instant takeaways from Browns 23-20 loss to Baltimore Ravens …
1. Almost done: The Browns are on life support. They lost their fourth game in a row, 23-20, to the Baltimore Ravens to fall to 2-5 and, more importantly at this point, 1-1 in AFC North games. They squandered an improved – if not great -- performance – from their defense by falling in love with the pass again on offense and allowing Jacoby Brissett to commit another gut-wrenching turnover on a fumble. It happened not at the end but in the middle of the game with the Browns behind by 13-10. Other than that, Brissett had a real good game. The turnover prevented the Browns from wresting control of things with their running game. The Ravens committed their only turnover with 3:12 to go on a forced fumble by Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and recovery by Isaiah Thomas at the Ravens’ 16. But the Browns couldn’t capitalize. All they could muster was a 60-yard field goal try by Cade York with 1:59 to go, and it was deflected by Malik Harrison. The Browns got the ball back at their 20 with 16 seconds left. They ended the game on a fumbled by Donovan Peoples-Jones after a completion near mid-field. The Ravens maintained first place in the AFC North by moving to 4-3 and a commanding 2-0 in division games.
2. Self-destruction: The Browns made two mistakes to force the long field goal. First, Jacoby Brissett laid in a perfectly thrown pass to Amari Cooper for a 34-yard touchdown. But Cooper was called for pushing off on a questionable offensive pass interference call. On the next play, Brissett escaped a sack on third down and run for seven yards to the Ravens’ 37. That set up a 55-yard field goal attempt. But the Browns were called for a false start on Michael Dunn, and that moved it back five yards.
3. So easy: After the Ravens went ahead, 20-10, the Browns were almost shamed into running the ball with the Ravens expecting pass. They moved 75 yards in seven plays. Only one time did they throw. Chubb had runs of 12, 12 and 22 yards. Kareem Hunt finished it up with runs of 6 and 2 for the touchdown. That cut the Ravens lead to 23-20 with 9:00 to go.
4. Run da ball, mon: The Ravens got the second half kickoff and punted after three plays, two of them sacks of Jackson. After the punt, the Browns took the ball at their 40. They were down, 13-10. Grind the ball, right? Get Chubb some attempts, no? Of course not. Pass-happy Stefanski took over. On first down, Brissett was sacked for 5 yards. On second down, Brissett’s short pass to Chubb netted 2 yards. On third down, Brissett was strip-sacked and the Ravens recovered at the Browns’ 25. The Ravens scored the touchdown on eight plays. Gus Edwards scored from the 1 on fourth down to go up, 20-10.
5. Bungling another opportunity: The Browns are bad at situational football. But we knew that. Another example: End of first half, they got to the Ravens’ 40-yard line with 1:01 to play. Another, what, 5-10 yards, at most, would set up a half-ending field-goal attempt with a chance to tie the game. The Browns had two timeouts. A little screen pass? Maybe even a couple handoffs? No. Brissett is sacked on first down, forcing the second Browns’ timeout. On second down, Brissett is sacked again after a long dropback, fumbles, but Ethan Pocic recovers at the 50. Then on third down, Brissett flips the ball high for Kareem Hunt and and he’s brought down for a 4-yard gain. Punt. Ravens lead at halftime, 13-10.
6. Now that’s special: Baltimore’s fabled special teams could’ve turned the game in the second quarter, but the Browns’ defense limited the damage. First, Jordan Stout’s 69-yard punt pinned the Browns at their 12-yard line after a 6-yard return by Donovan Peoples-Jones. After the Ravens forced a 3-and-out, Corey Bojorquez punted from the end zone and David Duvernay returned it 46 yards to the Browns’ 21. The Ravens had to settle for a 34-yard field goal when Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah tipped a Jackson pass on third down.
7. Wills’ ills: In the first half, left tackle Jedrick Wills had false start on one drive and a holding call on another that negated a 14-yard completion to Pharaoh Brown. The Browns were able to kick a field goal on the first drive.
8. Great script: Stefanski’s opening script was so good that the Browns became the first team to score against the Ravens on its opening possession. The drive featured Chubb on handoffs and a screen pass, and short throws by Brissett. At the Ravens’ 9, the Browns faced fourth-and-1, and Brissett converted with a sneak. Two more handoffs to Chubb resulted in a 2-yard Chubb touchdown.
9. Clip and save: At halftime, the Ravens held a 13-10 lead. Jackson was 4 of 7 for 74 yards. Brissett was 12 of 14 for 165 yards. Justin Tucker had field goals of 32 and 34 yards. Cade York had one from 41. Mark Andrews had 0 catches. Corey Bojorquez was credited with a 76-yard punt when his boomer couldn't be kept out of the end zone by D'Anthony Bell.
10. Not a Hallmark day: Somebody designated Sunday as National Tight Ends Day. During the second half, the Browns lost David Njoku to an ankle injury and Pharaoh Brown to a neck injury. That left Stefanski with only Harrison Bryant among his bellowed tight end corps.
11. Pre-game notes: The only surprise on the Browns’ inactive list was wide receiver Anthony Schwartz, who was a healthy scratch for the first time. Through six games, Schwartz had one catch for 19 yards on six targets. As expected, Hjalte Froholdt started for right guard Wyatt Teller (calf) and M.J. Emerson started for Denzel Ward (concussion).
