5 Browns players who need to step up in the Ravens rematch

The Browns need some guys to step up in the Ravens rematch.

The Browns were bad offensively on Sunday. Not having Nick Chubb to lean on has exposed philosophical issues within Kevin Stefanski‘s system. While still at .500 and in no danger of being fired, he should lose his play-calling duties, so he can have more time to devise the game plan and keep his players in line. As the most penalized team in the league, that’s on him. That said, credit to Joe Woods, as I’m removing him from the hot-seat after this season’s play on defense.

Stefanski is the only one who needs to step up. He’s been awful all year at play-calling and his issues aren’t just from this season. Losing Jack Conklin early in the year exposed a lot of issues this team has beyond the offensive line, then losing Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt exposed others. Too many fans felt this team was a “next man up” unit, but it’s not.

This team needs its best players to play, and that’s beyond obvious. So Stefanski needs to be the one who steps up the most following their return from the bye week. That said, here are five players who need a big game.

Five players who need to step up in the Ravens rematch

The offensive tackles

The offensive line hasn’t been great since Jack Conklin got hurt, and the team maximized their play against the less impressive defenses in the league following it. Against The Ravens, without Conklin, the team ran left far more often, which isn’t their usual Modus Operandi. Jedrick Wills is nearing bust territory, and with no tackle to rely on, the team’s running game fell apart.

Baker Mayfield

Two things can be true at the same time. I believe Baker Mayfield did everything he could against the Ravens this past Sunday. I also believe that he can do more. His receivers are going to average around five drops a game, not sure if that’s league average but it’s where we are currently. If that’s the case, then Mayfield needs seriously talk to Stefanski about getting different guys in the lineup.

Ronnie Harrison

This dude. If he’s not causing one bone-headed penalty after the other, he’s blowing his coverage assignments. Sure, he picked off Lamar Jackson. So did three other cats, that’s not impressive. He needs to be far more reliable and not just with his play but with his decision-making.

Malik McDowell

What a disappointment Malik McDowell has been all season long. With a PFF grade of 49.5, he has shown time and time again he has no business being on the field. It isn’t bad enough that his play is bad, he’s also the most penalized player on the team. He’s tied for fourth in the NFL for most penalties this year. Shocker, five are for unnecessary roughness and roughing the passer. Two very avoidable penalties. He also has another four for breaking the line of scrimmage. One for encroachment, one for being offsides, and two for neutral zone infractions. If the Browns defensive tackle

Chase McLaughlin

Gotta account for the wind, especially in Cleveland. Chase McLaughlin didn’t account for the wind in Baltimore and had an easily made shot blow off to the left. Considering the rematch in two weeks will be equally as close, in theory, McLaughlin can’t afford to miss a second kick this year against the Ravens.