By Jeff Zrebiec, Zac Jackson and Rebecca Tauber
The Baltimore Ravens’ defense played like it had something to prove in Week 2 — which of course it did — bouncing back from last week’s collapse against the Buffalo Bills and helping secure a win over Cleveland on Sunday, turning a 10-3 first-half struggle into a 41-17 blowout.
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The Ravens’ defense held the Browns to a field goal and 120 total yards in the first half until the offense could get the ball rolling, led by Tylan Wallace, Devontez Walker and DeAndre Hopkins, who combined to catch four touchdown passes from Lamar Jackson.
Browns quarterback Joe Flacco struggled in his Baltimore homecoming, going 25 for 45 for 199 yards, with an interception and a fumble that led to a Ravens touchdown. Cleveland replaced him with rookie Dillon Gabriel in the fourth quarter.
This week, Baltimore’s defense led the way
From players-only dinners to harsh words from teammates and coaches, it was a long week for the Ravens defense. The group certainly didn’t shy away from its poor performance in a 41-40 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. The defense needed a bounce-back effort, and it got it on a day where it took the offense the better part of three quarters to break from its malaise.
Middle linebacker Roquan Smith had three tackles for loss in the first half alone. He only had four all last year. Nate Wiggins had an interception that set up another Baltimore touchdown. Smith then put the finishing touches on a strong defensive performance by picking up a Flacco fumble and returning it for a touchdown. The Browns’ offense is abysmal and the Baltimore defense will face much bigger challenges in the weeks ahead. This, however, was a much-needed step forward for a Ravens defense that was embarrassed last week. — Jeff Zrebiec, Ravens staff writer
The Ravens got some unlikely offensive contributors
Jackson didn’t look comfortable throughout, nor did he look like he had much interest in running the ball. Derrick Henry never got on track as the Browns loaded up at the line of scrimmage and focused on taking him away. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman and tight end Mark Andrews were pretty much nonfactors. Three of the Ravens’ biggest plays were delivered by their fourth and fifth receivers.
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Wallace, the team’s fourth receiver and more known for his special teams work, gave Baltimore an early 10-0 lead by catching a 15-yard touchdown pass. Walker, the team’s No. 5 wide receiver who didn’t play a single offensive snap last week in Buffalo, then caught touchdown passes of 2 and 24 yards in the second half. The Ravens believe they have the deepest group of skill position players, perhaps in franchise history. On Sunday, that was on full display. — Zrebiec
What went wrong for Cleveland
The Browns can’t really run the ball. Their receivers struggle to get open. Flacco is painfully slow when he needs to avoid traffic. And the offensive line is a mess.
That might not be the full list of issues facing the Browns’ offense, but there don’t seem to be many easy fixes. It was never going to be easy in Baltimore, but the Browns didn’t help themselves with dropped passes, third-down mistakes and turnovers. It went from semi-competitive to ugly in a hurry, but it was always obvious that the Browns weren’t going to score many points in this one. — Zac Jackson, Browns writer
Browns need more on offense
The Browns have an experienced and talented defense, but their lack of cornerback depth was exposed when Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward was forced out of the game due to cramping. Cameron Mitchell was beaten for touchdowns three times, and slot cornerback Myles Harden was beaten in the fourth quarter on Walker’s second touchdown. Walker’s second came on the same corner route Jackson and the Ravens had been trying to hit since early in the game.
The Ravens only averaged 3.0 yards per play in the first half and let the Cleveland defensive line have its way for a while, but Jackson kept his composure and the Baltimore pass offense had a different urgency in the second half.
Eventually, the Cleveland defense is going to need a little help from the offense. Because right now, it’s hard to imagine this Browns team winning many at all. —Jackson
(Photo: Mitch Stringer / Imagn Images)
