5 Browns players who showed up against the Ravens in the rematch

The Browns won a much-needed game against the Ravens on Sunday.

The Browns are second in the AFC North with a clear path to the title still. The team, who is 7-6 and has had their share of issues, remains in the playoff chase despite some struggles on offense due to the bug. The dreaded injury bug that is. The team hasn’t looked right since Jack Conklin got hurt, and his injury really exposed the fact the Browns have very little confidence running it off to the left side.

Because of this, the Ravens were able to negate the Browns rushing game in back-to-back games. For the Browns to muster just 100 yards rushing as a team is laughable. This is clearly an issue with the offensive line and frankly, I would push for the Browns to draft a tackle in round two this year.

Despite their inability to move the ball at times, the Browns had a great showing against the top team in the AFC North. The Browns handled Lamar Jackson for a fifth straight quarter and had the team not slacked off a bit in the second half, this wouldn’t have been a close game due to his injury. The offense still struggled to move the ball without throwing, but everyone did enough to knock off the Ravens and set the team up for a chance at the AFC North title still.

Five players how showed up in the Ravens rematch

Baker Mayfield

I’ve said my piece about Baker Mayfield in the last article. I think he had a great game, the Browns would not have won without his play, and the offense was nowhere to be seen unless they were passing the ball. None of this is disputable. He seems healed up, and hopefully, he can avoid any more big hits because if he’s healthy, the Browns offense is truly dangerous.

Donovan Peoples-Jones

I don’t think Donovan Peoples-Jones is a starting-caliber receiver, but he can be a good third or fourth option. So him having five receptions for 90 yards is very encouraging to me.

Austin Hooper

Maybe Austin Hooper’s issues have less to do with him and more to do with the fact he’s only getting one-third the number of targets that he got in Atlanta? Without David Njoku and Harrison Bryant, two far more athletic tight ends, Hooper had a decent game. Sure, he only had 30 yards, but he had five receptions and a touchdown. He’s among the slower tight ends in the league and the Browns lack speed on the offense, which could be a contributing issue for Hooper’s struggles. Defenses can bunch up if there isn’t a deep threat. In Atlanta, he was the slowest player by a mile, but everyone else stretched the field, allowing him to work in more space. In Cleveland, he’s faster than the Browns “best” receiver. So there are layers to Hooper’s struggles. So it was good to see him step up.

Myles Garrett

Myles Garrett had a sack, whoopie. That’s like saying Jarvis Landry caught something. Good, that’s your job (*Sarcasm*). But Garrett also had a defensive touchdown, the first of his career, and that…well that’s awesome. Seeing Garrett’s face and the excitement of the team as they swarmed him in the endzone harkened back to Kevin Love losing his mind on the sideline a few nights back as Cedi Osman went off.  Sure the Browns aren’t living up to their full potential but they’re still a great team and seeing plays like is exactly why I love sports so much.

Troy Hill

I truly think Troy Hill is the biggest difference-maker on the team; knowing full well Myles Garrett is the best player on defense. Hill doesn’t just affect the passing game, but he’s a heck of a run stopper. He had three tackles for a loss yesterday against the Ravens. As a cornerback. Most cornerbacks can’t be relied on to make a tackle, let alone be an impact player against the rush. That’s what Hill is. I would argue that he’s a better addition to the team than anyone, rookie or otherwise, as the team is less effective without him.