The Cleveland Browns got here into the Week 4 recreation towards the Baltimore Ravens as an necessary early-season divisional matchup. Each golf equipment have been 2-1-0 and in a three-way tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers for first place.

It appeared the Browns have a superb crew earlier than kickoff. However a more in-depth look reveals that they beat a mediocre Tennessee Titans squad and an ailing Cincinnati Bengals crew but misplaced to a foul Steelers roster that Cleveland gave away with too many errors to rely. And everybody is aware of, you may’t win video games whenever you flip over the ball repeatedly. So, they need to have been 3-0-0 towards mediocre groups.

The Ravens are as soon as once more an excellent soccer crew. Earlier than kickoff, Baltimore had the Eleventh-ranked offense whereas Cleveland’s protection was ranked #1. A minimum of Cleveland can say their protection was ranked No 1 this yr as a result of Baltimore shellacked their run protection and put up massive numbers in each class en path to a 28-3 beatdown.

Ultimately, the Browns’ offense couldn’t transfer the ball whereas their protection couldn’t cease
QB Lamar Jackson nor cowl their tight finish. With beginning QB Deshaun Watson sidelined, it was predicted that this Cleveland offense couldn’t operate appropriately.

So who performed nicely for the Browns? Who didn’t?

BROWNIES

Particular groups – Ok Dustin Hopkins nailed his 53-yarder prefer it was simple. P Corey Bojorquez was distinctive at this time with an astounding eight punts for 373 yards. When your punter outdistances your offense by over 100 yards, it’s a unhealthy day. Bojo’s common was 46.6 yards per kick and boomed one for 67 yards plus one kick contained in the 20 which landed on the seven. The kickoff protection crew was wonderful with D’Anthony Bell, Charley Hughlett, Anthony Walker, Pierre Sturdy, Mike Ford, and Cam Mitchell doing the soiled work.

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LB Sione Takitaki – Had a number of good performs at key moments. Nailed RB Gus Edwards for a brief acquire within the first quarter when he seemed like he was going to get a big acquire. With 6:01 left within the second quarter, Ravens RB Justice Hill darted by way of the road and tried to juke Takitaki who nabbed him after a seven-yard acquire. He bought Edwards for a three-yard loss halfway the fourth quarter which arrange a third-and-nine.

The primary 5 Ravens offensive possessions – The primary two weren’t solely three-and-outs however spectacular for the protection as they gained simply 10 yards mixed. Baltimore scored a landing after the DTR interception, however the recreation resumed because the protection pressured one other three-and-out earlier than forcing a fumble. After three punts in 5 possessions, the sport appeared to be nicely in hand.

LB Anthony Walker – Gave the impression to be all over the place at this time. Led all tacklers with 9.

FROWNIES

No quarterback, no offense – In his first NFL begin, Dorian Thompson-Robinson proved one factor: he’s a rookie, and subsequently performs like a rookie. Little or no about his recreation was good. What number of overthrows have been counted? A minimum of one as a result of he tossed it 12 yards over the pinnacle of WR Donovan Peoples-Jones into the ready arms of Ravens’ security Geno Stone who returned it to Cleveland’s 38. Six performs later, Baltimore upped the rating to 21-3. The sport began off nicely for DTR when he hit TE David Njoku for a primary down on a third-and-five on their opening drive. Then, DTR tossed an unlawful ahead move.

4 minutes later he was intercepted when his throw was behind WR Amari Cooper then tipped by nickel again Arthur Maulet to which CB Brandon Stephens caught it and returned it to the Browns’ 10. One play later, Baltimore scored their first factors. With 2:52 left within the first half, DTR overthrew on a third-and-six and was nearly intercepted. Early within the third quarter, LB Patrick McQueen dropped a certain interception. With 7:05 left within the third quarter, DTR hit CB Ronald Darby within the arms, however he mishandled the errant move. Early within the fourth quarter on a move meant for Cooper, Ravens’ LB Roquan Smith nearly had him a choose on a third-and-12. His third interception was in mop-up time. Completed going 19-36 for 121 yards with three picks with zero touchdowns. Additionally had 4 rushes for twenty-four yards and was sacked 4 occasions. He was the preseason darling, however now he isn’t enjoying towards second-teamers.

Third-and-long – When the Browns wanted a superb drive, abruptly a penalty or a loss would push them again and put the offense in third-and-long often. 11 of 15 third downs have been for 5 yards or higher. Some, are a lot higher like 15, 21, and 31 yards. Eesch….

LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – With 1:58 left within the first quarter, JOK had RB Edwards for a loss however slid off the runner’s pads for some constructive yardage. Then early within the second quarter, he missed one other sort out for lack of RB Justice Hill who then gained seven yards. On a third-and-six at Baltimore’s 42, JOK missed RB Melvin Gordon on the security valve move who then sped down the sideline for 23 yards. On that third-and-nine to the Ravens’ FB Patrick Ricard with just below eight minutes left within the recreation, that was JOK’s man who rumbled previous the primary down marker. Three performs later Baltimore scored once more. It was JOK who missed the sort out on TE Mark Andrews on the three-yard line earlier than he scored.

Protecting the tight finish – Baltimore had a number of playmakers out of this recreation. Irrespective of. Their high two guys have been WR Zay Flowers and TE Mark Andrews. Understanding this, Andrews was open principally all recreation. His landing catch behind the tip zone, he was on their own however made an incredible catch level seize with a wonderfully positioned move. With 5:56 left within the recreation, as Jackson rolled out to his left, Andrews had a seven-yard buffer, caught the ball in full gallop, dodged S Juan Thornhill’s tried sort out on the seven, then juked JOK on the three earlier than jogging into the tip zone for his second TD catch. Had solely 5 catches, however all he was doing was getting open. Did the memo not get despatched out about this weapon?

CB M.J. Emerson – Not a superb day for the gifted cornerback. With 2:11 left within the first quarter, Emerson missed a sort out on Flowers. With 36 ticks remaining within the first half, as Jackson scrambled behind the road on a second-and-29, he discovered Flowers large open after Emerson deserted him after which needed to get better for a Ravens first down at Cleveland’s 11. Two performs later was Andrews’ back-of-the-end zone catch. Had simply 4 tackles.

Premature penalties – Simply because the Browns have been beginning one thing productive, right here got here the yellow flags. Unlawful shift, holding, false begin, move interference, extra holding, backward move, and extra false begins. 4 different penalties have been refused.

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Offensive line – Similar to within the Pittsburgh recreation, the quarterback had little or no time to throw and nearly by no means went by way of his progressions. What has occurred to the Browns’ move blocking? And gaining simply 93 yards on the bottom is not going to get this crew very far. Had 13 dashing yards within the first half. OG Wyatt Teller didn’t play nicely as did LT Jedrick Wills. Higher get this mounted over the bye week. This group had two holding calls plus two false begins, of which one was refused.

Second-half offense – Punt, punt, punt, interception, punt, interception. Any questions?

Milk Bones – Earlier than you marry an individual, you must first make them use a pc with gradual web to see who they are surely

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DE Ogbo Okoronkwo – Had a superb move rush in intervals. His sack was halfway by way of the third quarter when he sped previous LT Daniel Faalele and caught Jackson earlier than he may course of the warmth. Ogbo made a number of inside dashing tackles, one for a loss.

DE Myles Garrett – Had his moments, however was not a dominant participant. His one sack got here proper earlier than halftime as he beat LT Patrick Mekari who had zero probability. Garrett did nearly have three different sacks, however the elusive Jackson managed to get free or was in a position to toss the ball away.