Jameis Winston is the 10th quarterback to start a game in five seasons under coach Kevin Stefanski and the 39th in the Browns expansion era. (Cleveland Browns)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst of the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Four downs on Browns (1-6) v. Baltimore Ravens (5-2)
First down: Ch-ch-ch-changes … Turn and face the strange.
After weeks of changing very little as their season went sideways, the Browns made a lot of changes this week. First, Jameis Winston was named first man up to replace Deshaun Watson, who underwent season-ending Achilles tendon surgery on Friday. Winston is the 10th quarterback to start a game in five seasons under coach Kevin Stefanski and the 39th in the Browns expansion era. Dorian Thompson-Robinson was installed as QB2 and former Patriot Bailey Zappe was signed as QB3. The stunner came on Wednesday when Stefanski disclosed, in response to a season-long question that seemingly had been exhausted, that he would cede play-calling chores to coordinator Ken Dorsey. At the end of the week, the offensive line got right guard Wyatt Teller back from a four-week injury respite. Finally, it appeared the Browns would move Dawand Jones to left tackle – a risky move considering he started there only one time in his Ohio State career and had struggled in his second season at right tackle. Will these changes spark a turnaround after five consecutive losses? If not, you can only wonder what might be the next move at the team’s bye in two weeks.
Second down: Double trouble.
There is no more lethal one-two punch in the NFL right now than quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry. Truth is, the Browns have probably defended both of them as well as any team. Sure, Jackson has won seven times in 11 meetings against the Browns. But they have held him to an average of 165 yards passing and intercepted him eight times, including four in one game (which Jackson won, anyway). In five games as a member of the Titans, Henry has averaged 3.06 yards a carry and scored only two touchdowns on the ground. Henry did bust one game open with a 75-yard sprint to the end zone with a screen pass. The problem, of course, is trying to defend both in the same game. “They make you defend so much in the run game,” said defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. “You just can’t concentrate on taking a running back out. You have the quarterback keepers that you have to handle, you have the jet sweeps, the [Zay] Flowers that you have to handle, the jailbreak screens to Flowers and the other receivers. You have to defend all 11 on every single play. You just can’t focus on one person.”
Third down: And then there’s the tight end.
Mark Andrews has hurt the Browns more than any tight end in the NFL. In 12 games, Andrews has 50 receptions on 76 targets (65.8%) for 665 yards and nine touchdowns. There was one game I will never forget. The Browns intercepted Jackson four times. Each time Andrews was his intended receiver. And then Jackson throws the TD to Andrews to seal a 16-10 win in Baltimore. After that play, Jadeveon Clowney fired his helmet into the ground and Myles Garrett went up to Jackson and hugged him.
Fourth down: Waiting for something special.
It takes a win on defense and a win on special teams for the Browns to overcome their inept offense. That has happened only one time in seven games – the victory in Jacksonville. While the defense consistently has played well enough to win, the special teams have been a big letdown. Last week’s faux pas included giving up a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, missing a field goal and a PAT, and muffing a kickoff. The Ravens historically have fielded elite special teams and this year is no different.
The pick: Ravens 24, Browns 20.
My record: 5-2.