In his last appearance at home, Quinshon Judkins ran for three TDs. The Browns need an encore performance to have a chance against the Ravens. (Cleveland Browns)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Four downs on Browns (2-7) v. Baltimore Ravens (4-5)
First down: 6-6-6.
Dillon Gabriel is the sixth different Browns quarterback to face the Ravens in their last six meetings following Joe Flacco (loss), Bailey Zappe (loss), Jameis Winston (won), Deshaun Watson (won), and Dorian Thompson-Robinson (loss). That’s got to be aggravating to the defense. “I always say, whoever’s out there, that’s who we’re competing with,” shrugged cornerback Denzel Ward. Safety Grant Delpit added: “That doesn’t affect me, so … I feel whatever the circumstance is, I feel we have to get the offense the ball back.” This will be Gabriel’s sixth start. They are 1-4 in his starts. The Browns were minus-6 in turnover differential when Gabriel took over for Flacco. Now they’re at plus-1. They averaged 11.75 points per game in four games with Flacco when the offensive line was suffering injuries and instability at the tackle positions. The Browns are at 16.6 ppg with Gabriel. So while progress has been extremely nominal, it has been noted by the coaches. They have no intention at this point of handing the quarterback reins to anyone else. “Nobody’s going to bat a thousand in really anything they do,” said offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. “But I would say [Gabriel] grades out where we want him. Dillon’s prep and where he is mentally for a rookie is really well beyond. He’s mature in that way and we want to make sure that those things that are happening during the week, we go ahead and execute them on Sundays.”
Second down: It’s always something.
In the first meeting in Baltimore in Week 2, the Browns held Derrick Henry (23 yards) and Lamar Jackson (13) to a total of 36 yards rushing – and the Ravens racked up 41 points. Jackson hit the Browns with three touchdown passes in the second half, to go with one in the first half, in a walkaway win. All four TDs were given up by backup cornerbacks as Ward was in and out with cramping and Greg Newsome hadn’t yet been traded for Tyson Campbell. That’s the thing with Jackson. When you think you’ve got their vaunted run game under control, Jackson kills you with his arm. That’s what the threat of their run game does. “It’s annoying man, very annoying,” Delpit said. To be running everywhere across the field and you’re expected to plaster [the receivers] until it’s incomplete. He’s gonna make a play or two. Lamar’s gonna do some crazy stuff that we’ve all seen. We just have to do our best to stay close.”
Third down: Is Jackson now a sitting duck?
Jackson missed one day of practice with a sore knee, which could exacerbate his line’s shortcomings in protecting him this season. Jackson has been sacked 18 times in six games, which is a higher rate than in any of his previous seven NFL seasons. He is also running about 40% less than ever before. All of which turns attention to Myles Garrett, who has seven sacks in his last three games and is on pace for 21 for the 17-game season. Garrett’s 1.5 sacks of Jackson in the first meeting were his most in a game against the Baltimore QB. How much do the Ravens respect Garrett? “Myles Garrett, I don't think there's been [anyone] better,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “[There has] never been a more talented, more dangerous player that you have to block, who can single-handedly wreck any play – any play. And that's really what you have to kind of keep your eye on. So yes, you have to be conscious of where he is at all times.”
Fourth down: Q formation.
By any measure, running back Quinshon Judkins has had an outstanding rookie season. He leads all rookies with 561 yards (4.0 average), matches two others with five touchdowns, and is tied with Baltimore’s Henry and Miami’s De’Von Achane with four 30+ yard runs – second to Jonathan Taylor’s five. But it feels like it’s time for a signature Judkins game, something like 150+ yards and multiple TDs. You know, a Nick Chubb kind of game. This week, Rees acknowledged he’s a fan of the fullback position and Adin Huntington in particular. Pairing Huntington and Judkins in the backfield together – in situations beyond short-yardage and goal line – would challenge Baltimore’s Kyle Hamilton, in-the-box defense and could relieve some pressure off the rookie quarterback. It could also grind the game clock, keeping Jackson and Henry off the field. I mean, why not? Has anything else worked?
The pick: Ravens 23, Browns 17.
My record: 4-5.