DawgTalkers.net Forums Thread Like Summary - Ravens @ Browns Recap

As usual, I would like to keep the conversation in thread to be specific about this game only rather than season long or organizational topics. Thanks.

This was a hard-fought game that was pretty clean as each team had only 3 penalties. The Browns did not show an ounce of quit. They played w/energy, passion, and determination. It's great that they have not quit on each other and the team. I think it was huge that we won the turnover battle 2 to 0 and that we were 2 for 2 on 4th down while the Ravens were 0 for 3.

Some observations:

--Watson is improving each game, but he still isn't close to where he was in past years. It was nice to see him run a bit, but I think he should be running a little more. His legs are a real asset. He protected the ball and made some plays. Overall, it was a solid effort.

--Cade York frustrates me. After his tantrum last week, he misses two relatively easy kicks on Saturday.

--J. Johnson had an excellent game. I've been critical of him, but he was all over the field until he got hurt. Yes, he made some highlight plays, but he also made a ton of solid plays where he was in the right spot at the right time.

--Ward had an excellent game, as well. The Browns ask a lot of him and he was in perfect position so many times.

--Clowney was usual no-show self. He's overrated. He also left w/yet another injury.

--The interior played better.

--The biggest difference in my mind was that are LBers were in better position than our usual guys were. We played a ton of different combinations and they were around the ball most of the day.

--Delpit still is lost in coverage, but he did make some nice run stops.

--DPJ and Cooper were solid. I was expecting to see Njoku go off in this game. It did not happen, but his athleticism was on full display.

--Chubb and Hunt had nice games. I think Hunt actually ran a bit better, but both were good. We kinda wore the Ravens down. They have a good run D and stuffed us for much of the game, but we got yards when we needed them late.

--Dobbins had 125 yards on 13 carries. Chubb had 99 yards on 21 carries. What does that tell you?

--Folks won't want to admit it, but Stefanski and his staff clearly outcoached Harbaugh and his staff. In-game decisions, clock management, scheme, play calling, etc.

--I might have imagined this, but the crowd looked different to me. It seemed like there were a lot of fans there who typically don't get to go to games and they were doing a great job of cheering on their team and having a lot of fun doing it. That warmed my heart.

Good recap, Vers.

I did not see the entire game. And I do not have much to add to what you stated. I also agree that we seemed to be the better prepared, and better coached team.

- There is a lot of talk about how Baltimore lost the game, we did not win it. That's not how it works. Not to mention, we have shot ourselves in the foot many, many times over the years. It's a win.

- We swept the division at home. When did that last happen?

- Tucker with two misses (yeah, one was a block) in a game. Wow.

- I do not know why teams bother throwing on us. We can get decent pressure, and our DBs are playing well as a unit. We have been having a lot of success defending the pass game, but not at all the run.

As I said in the post game thread the Browns looked prepared and focused. And they kept that fire for all four quarters. As I expected watson once again improved over his second start in this game. I certainly agree with you that he's not there yet but I don't think anyone with realistic expectations felt it was going to be something that came right away but would instead be a process. Thus far we can see that process unfolding.

For the third week in a row it was the defense that were the heroes of the game. I have no idea why Harbaugh would have Huntley throw 30+ passes in this game but none the less he did. It certainly played into the Browns hands. The most concerning part for me is for as much as watson has improved they can't seem to turn that offensive production into TD's. I certainly understand that more points would have been scored had York made those FG's. But on 30+ offensive possessions in the last three games, the Browns O has only managed to find the end zone twice.

With the remaining schedule being comprised of the Saints, the Commanders and the Steelers it would seem there is certainly an opportunity for the Browns to work on finishing off drives and finding the end zone more efficiently. A very real chance of putting up more W's. Both would go a very long way in giving this team momentum and reasons to feel positive going into the off season.

If Saturday was any indication of the direction the team is headed for the rest of the season it was very positive. Hopefully this trend continues.

Memphis posted this in the Post Game thread. I think it is relevant in this thread, as well.

And those are the top 5 you want to see on there every week (though you would hope Watson would be in there too).

As for the game, I unfortunately didn't get to see the whole game as I was flying back from Guam. I did catch the replay of the first half when I landed and now watching some full game highlights.

- first or second Ravens drive in the red zone. Jones with a big hit on Ricard that stopped his momentum for getting the first down on 4th and 1. Damn, that was a big boy stuff. Great gang tackling after the hit.

- there were a couple beautiful PA dump off passes to Njoku that I would love to see happen a few times a game.

- Baldwin with a couple nice catches for his first NFL game. Great catch and holding onto it while taking the hit on his second catch. The second was a beautiful play design with Cooper clearing out the left side while Baldwin came across wide open filling in that midrange area for the catch.

- Jones had a nice play on a first and 10 from around the 15. Huntley rolled to his left trying to find a receiver, and decided to run it. Jones closed quickly for what looked to be a loss of 1 or 2. His speed was a big factor as that should have been a big run down the sideline.

- there was some big plays due to YAC after the catch. This is one of the things I stated at the beginning of the year that I was hoping would happen once DW took over as QB. With our previous QB last year and Brissett as QB (though he played solid for us this year) my view was seeing it was more station to station passing. What I mean, is the the QB diagnosing the open receiver was a second or two too slow and also where the ball is placed. An elite QB will get more YAC out of a receiver by placing the ball in a better spot in stride, diagnosing it quicker, and also for Watson; his threat to run on rollouts/buying time will open windows up. I hope this becomes the norm.

- Nice INT by Ward! Great break on the ball and fighting for the ball to get the takeaway

- Dear John Johnson...i know it's one game, but your play today is what we expected from you for two seasons now. Nice game dude, please keep this up for 3 more games.

side note: while watching full game highlights...sure it doesn't show all the negative or no gain plays. But just watching Watson run on some of these plays and some of his passes are just a thing of beauty to watch.