Browns defense gets torched in Ravens loss and it should’ve been far worse

The Browns offense flexed their muscles and proved they were elite, their defense on the other hand forgot their job was stopping the Ravens.

The Cleveland Browns lost to the Baltimore Ravens 47-42 in a game that was as wild and crazy as an overbooked pro wrestling match. The game was a must-win if they wanted to keep pace for the AFC North crown. Raven’s quarterback, Lamar Jackson was the story of the game, being unable to move in the first-half due to his cleats, then leaving the field due to cramps. Only to have Trace McSorely come in, and blow his knee out at the two-minute warning of the 4th quarter. All just in time for Jackson to return to the game, to lead them down the field twice on a game-tieing and game-winning drive.

It was bonkers.

The offense, mostly, played well. Save for one player but that’ll get addressed in the Good and Bad from Week 14. The Browns offense had issues in the first half related to play calling, but Baker Mayfield really put on a show, captivating the crowd with several late-game drives against the Ravens-fourth best pass defense. The Browns have also seen success against the third-best pass defense this year, in the Washington Football Team.

The Browns defense on the other hand was atrocious. This game may have been out of hand if Jackson hadn’t had on bad cleats in the first half, and then had cramping issues for nearly a full quarter in the second half. The defense couldn’t stop a toddler, let alone Jackson. This was Jackson’s best day as a runner for the year, and he didn’t even play the whole game, nor did he play with the proper equipment and he still gashed the Browns. If Jackson didn’t have these issues, the nightmarish thoughts of what he would’ve done to this defense will haunt this unit for the rest of the year.

The defense was supposed to be better, at least that’s what so many in the fanbase and media claimed. With players like Joe Schobert, Christian Kirksey, and Damarius Randall all being replaced this year, and with the Browns focusing heavily on defense in the early portions of the draft, the team was supposed to be better.

They aren’t. Berry has/had cap space to make moves, even if for just a year-rental, but opted not to. The defense isn’t good enough to get the Browns deep into the playoffs. Not unless the Browns offense plays picture perfect and keeps the opposing team off the field as the Browns did against the Titans.

There are too many individuals on the defense to lambast, but it’s mostly the usual suspects in the corners and linebackers. It should be noted that Myles Garrett was largely ineffective in this game. Now you can blame him for having COVID-19 all you want, but if he can’t play well enough to keep up with Jackson, then let the man keep healing. If he’s still dealing with issues of the virus, then he shouldn’t be playing. His health has to be first. If he isn’t still dealing with lingering issues; then there’s no excuse for him disappearing in the biggest game of his career.

The Browns have two cakewalks coming up, with back to back games in New York as the team moves on to take on the Giants and Jets in games that should secure them their playoff spot.