Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns: Three Things We Learned
By Andrew Kim
Baker Mayfield showed grit in his first win at home.
Rookie Baker Mayfield had his first game against the Baltimore Ravens at home in an AFC North divisional game for the first time in his career on Sunday. Even though Mayfield threw an interception early, he showed poised late in the game (especially on the touchdown drive and the drive that led to the game-winning field goal in overtime) and gave the Browns a chance to win the game. Coming from a loss in overtime last week against the Oakland Raiders, Mayfield was not going to let the Browns lose again in overtime this week.
The Browns leading receivers in this game were David Njoku (six catches for 69 yards) and Jarvis Landry (five catches for 69 yards), while Rashard Higgins (three catches for 66 yards and a touchdown) and undrafted rookie Derrick Wiles (three catches for 61 yards) set up the Browns in field goal range with big catches in overtime. The Browns attack the middle of the field as the Ravens are susceptible to giving up yards to the tight ends/ slot receivers. Rookie Antonio Callaway (three catches for 22 yards) was limited but he has upside with the connection with Mayfield as the big play deep threat teams have to account for.
Even though the run game with Carlos Hyde (17 carries for 63 yards) and Duke Johnson (five carries for 35 yards) was not anything special; they did gash the Ravens on a few run plays late in the game when they needed to. I think the Browns will be a thorn on their side for many teams with playoff aspirations as they cannot overlook the Browns like the Ravens did.