Browns Lost On Blocked Field Goal With No Time Left

In the most Cleveland Browns way possible, a blocked field goal with no time left led to a game winning score for the Baltimore Ravens. FoS breaks down the loss and wonders what’s ahead for the Browns.

Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) scrambles away from Baltimore Ravens defensive end

(99) during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Rapid Reaction: First Half

Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown reassumed the starting role and looked every bit like the quarterback he was prior to the multiple injuries that allowed Johnny Manziel to start. 16-26 for 189 yards and a touchdown pass was a great start.

His scrambling touchdown pass to wide receiver Marlon Moore was an impressive play, which showed the patience and game IQ McCown has. Additionally, he took advantage of the few match up advantages in this game with tight end Gary Barnidge and running back Duke Johnson matched up on the Ravens linebackers. Barnidge himself had 5 catches for 77 yards and Johnson had 2 catches for 28 yards.

Ravens running back Javorius Allen‘s 13 yard touchdown catch capped off a drive that showed everything bad about the Browns defense this season. After a 48 yard pass from quarterback Matt Schaub to wide receiver Chris Givens corner back Tramon Williams was burnt in the process. Allen then took an underneath pass from Schaub and broke through four different Browns defenders en route to the end zone.

Blown man coverage, missed tackles, and a running back in the end zone– it’s an all too familiar sight. To make matters worse, that pass to Allen was Schaub’s first touchdown pass since 2013.

Unfortunately for the Browns, kicker Travis Coons was the only red zone threat on the roster. All due respect to Barnidge, but there’s a reason the Browns are dead last in red zone conversions in the entire NFL. With little run game to speak of, the field got awfully tight inside the 20 for a group of receivers built for wide open spaces. Luckily, Coons set an NFL record for hitting his first 18 field goal attempts to start his career.

Either way, the Browns scored on drives of 14, 9, and 9 plays, but only netted 13 points on those drives. Need more to make you cringe? The Browns had the ball for a whopping 20:48 in the first half.

Next: Rapid Reaction: Second Half