Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns: Three Things We Learned

Here are three things we learned from the Baltimore Ravens losing to the Cleveland Browns 12 to 9 in overtime at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The 3-2 Baltimore Ravens could not get it done in the red zone and did not capitalize on their defensive stops early as the Cleveland Browns kick their way to their first win at home and are 2-2-1. The missed extra point hurt the Browns early, but they overcame that by blocking one of the Ravens field goals. Greg Joseph redeemed himself by making the game-winning kick, even though it was not pretty.

The Ravens offensive struggles in the red zone and unbalanced offensive game plan hurt them in not taking advantage of their early defensive stops. With the defense gassed in overtime, they could not stop the Browns from driving and limit the big plays to win the game.

Rookie Baker Mayfield showed poise as he made big plays late in the game that rookie quarterbacks may have faltered in. The Ravens tried to send the house on him, sacking him four total times as the Ravens run defense (without Michael Pierce) stopped the run well enough but did let up big runs late.

Rookie Denzel Ward had himself a game, blocking a field goal and picking off Joe Flacco in the red zone helped the Browns defense as a field goal would have made a difference in this game. Penalties had huge implications in this game as it was not good for both teams on both sides of the ball as the refs have been the talking point this year with the new rules they have imposed this year.

The Ravens will head to Tennessee to face the 3-2 Titans as they lost to the Bills this week and the Browns will play the 3-2 Los Angeles Chargers (that beat the Oakland Raiders this week) at home in Week 6. Here are three things that we learned in the Ravens loss to the Browns.