{"id":161231,"date":"2022-12-18T09:49:09","date_gmt":"2022-12-18T09:49:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/ravens-fall-to-browns-13-3-drop-out-of-afc-north-lead\/"},"modified":"2022-12-18T09:49:09","modified_gmt":"2022-12-18T09:49:09","slug":"ravens-fall-to-browns-13-3-drop-out-of-afc-north-lead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/ravens-fall-to-browns-13-3-drop-out-of-afc-north-lead\/","title":{"rendered":"Ravens fall to Browns, 13-3, drop out of AFC North lead"},"content":{"rendered":"
CLEVELAND \u2014 The Ravens’ offense didn’t save its worst for last Saturday, not quite, but it came close. For three quarters, the Ravens had stopped and started, thrown away points, dropped balls, squandered momentum, done everything but put a real scare into one of the NFL’s worst defenses.<\/p>\n
Midway through the fourth quarter of a dispiriting 13-3 loss to the Browns, though, the Ravens authored a fitting masterclass in ineptitude, replete with all the markings of a wasted and wasteful afternoon.<\/p>\n
With nine-plus minutes left, the Ravens (9-5) faced fourth-and-4 in their own territory, a 10-point deficit and swirling Cleveland snow. They’d run all over the Browns for most of the afternoon, but they weren’t going to pass. They were barely going to get the ball snapped in time. the whole operation looked rushed \u2014 the hurried claps from quarterback Tyler Huntley; the slight pauses of uncertainty as he scrambled to his right; the pass to wide receiver James Proche II, who landed out of bounds without the ball, another flop of a drive ending with a thud.<\/p>\n
The Ravens could take solace afterward in knowing they remain heavy favorites to make the playoffs (97% odds, according to FiveThirtyEight’s projections). But with quarterback Lamar Jackson sidelined, the defense losing key players to injuries, and their normally reliable special teams faltering, Saturday’s loss was not an advertisement for their postseason prospects.<\/p>\n
Big problems will follow the Ravens as they head home for a Christmas Eve game next Saturday against the Atlanta Falcons. Their offense has scored just two touchdowns in the 11 quarters since Jackson’s Week 13 knee injury. Their defense took two potential significant hits with injuries to cornerback Marcus Peters (calf) and defensive lineman Calais Campbell (knee).<\/p>\n
And their AFC North lead, maybe most importantly, is gone. They’re now looking up at the Bengals, who could take a one-game lead in the race for a top-four seed with a win Sunday over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With a loss, Cincinnati (9-4) would fall back into a tie with the Ravens, who won their Week 5 meeting and will travel to Paycor Stadium for next month’s regular-season finale.<\/p>\n
\u201cDisappointing loss, a tough loss for us,\u201d coach John Harbaugh said after only the team’s second loss in the past eight games. \u201cDid not play well. Have to put up more points, bottom line. We have to do things better in terms of moving the ball through the air, making plays in the red zone, not turning the ball over. Those are things that will cost you a game in December, and that’s what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Ravens’ first AFC North loss of the season cast a spotlight on everything their offense does well and everything it does not. Running backs JK Dobbins (9.6 yards per carry) and Gus Edwards (7.9 yards per carry) combined for 180 yards, bouncing through and around a Browns defense that entered Week 15 as the NFL’s sixth worst, according to Football Outsiders’ efficiency metrics.<\/p>\n
They could’ve had more, too, if not for Dobbins’ limited long speed, still returning after arthroscopic knee surgery, and an abandoned approach from offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who ran the ball once in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n
Entering the season, the Ravens were 8-0 all time when rushing for at least 195 yards on at least 7 yards per carry. They’re 0-2 this year, with losses to the New York Giants and the Browns. The Ravens’ 198 rushing yards are the most by a team that’s scored no touchdowns since the 2013 Los Angeles Rams, according to ESPN Stats & Information.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome days, you are able to get a ton of offense and you cannot score,\u201d right guard Kevin Zeitler said. \u201cThe ball just did not roll our way today. Obviously, it is on us. You should not rush for 200 yards and have three points.\u201d<\/p>\n