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Week 4 Game Recap: Baltimore Ravens 13, Cleveland Browns 27
What you need to know
| Baltimore Ravens |
The Baltimore Ravens lost their second game of the year in a very poor overall performance against the Browns. QB Steve McNair, playing with an injured groin, was not himself today, despite throwing for 307 yards. Often times, McNair appeared to be slow and limping slightly while he dropped back in the pocket. The timing on his throws was out of synch with the receivers and his ability to move out of the pocket was non existent. McNair's 307 passing yards on 53 attempts were largely a result of the Ravens having to play from behind for the entire game and the fact that by late in the third quarter, Baltimore had largely abandoned the running game.
The lone bright spot on the Ravens offense was RB Willis McGahee who had 104 yards on only 14 carries. McGahee was able to run effectively up the middle, and for most of the game the Browns defense was unable to contain his runs. RB Musa Smith did see some action, but only as a change of pace back, usually on third downs.
Derrick Mason led the Ravens receivers with 78 yards on ten catches. Mason was usually a second look in the passing game, as second year receiver Demetrius Williams was the primary receiver on most passing plays. TE Todd Heap saw some action during the game, but left in the second half with a hamstring injury and was replaced by backup TE Quinn Sypniewski.
While the Ravens top ranked rush defense was effective in shutting down Jamal Lewis and the rest of the Browns rushing attack, the pass defense was vulnerable. Baltimore gave up two big pass plays, one a 78 yard touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards and another 49 yard pass to Kellen Winslow that resulted in a field goal. Furthermore, the Ravens did not record one sack in the game, and Browns QB Derek Anderson usually had more than enough time to work through his progressions and find an open receiver.
| Cleveland Browns |
The Cleveland Browns played one of their best games of the season, led by a strong offensive effort and a solid overall showing from the defense. The Browns were determined to run the ball, and although the Ravens were able to hold the Browns to 99 yards on 30 total carries, running the ball allowed the Browns wear down the Ravens defense and open up some bigger plays in the passing game. QB Derek Anderson played a very good, conservative game looking calm and composed throughout. He was able to connect on a 78 yard touchdown pass with Braylon Edwards and big 49 yard pass play with Kellen Winslow that ultimately resulted in a field goal.
Both Edwards and Winslow led the Browns receivers with 97 and 96 yards respectively. They were both key, first look targets for Anderson and the three have developed a good working chemistry. Joe Jurevicius added a touchdown early in the first quarter and is making his mark as the possession receiver the team needs.
Jamal Lewis was unable to get the Browns running game going, only rushing for 64 yards on 23 carries. Of those 64 yards, 28 came on one rushing play and without this carry, Lewis' line would have been 22 carries for 36 yards or a 1.6 yard average.
The Browns defense played with a successful bend but do not break approach. While the Browns did not generate much of a pass rush, and did allow RB Willis McGahee to rush for over 100 yards, they were able to make key stops in the first half and limit the Ravens to only scoring two first half field goals. They did allow a touchdown in the second half, but this came late in the fourth quarter while the Browns were in the prevent defense.
What you ought to know
| QB Steve McNair, Pass: 34 - 53 - 307 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0 |
McNair came into the game nursing a groin injury that clearly took its toll on him. Twice he had Demetrius Williams open in the corner of the end zone and on both times, McNair threw off of his back foot and missed Williams. While the Browns did not have much of a pass rush working, the few times they did hit McNair he came up limping. For most of the game, his throws were short patterns, and he did not attack deep downfield. The longest pass play of the day was a dump pass in the flat to Willis McGahee, one that ultimately went for 30 yards thanks to McGahee's running ability. Kyle Boller was spotted warming up on the sideline late in the third quarter but the Ravens decided to stick with McNair for the whole game.
| RB Willis McGahee, Rush: 14 - 104 - 0, Rec: 2 - 32 - 0 (2 targets) |
McGahee found a lot of success running the ball straight at the Browns. He had a great 28 yard run late in the first half when, on a counter play, he nearly outran the entire Browns defense. Despite his success on the ground, McGahee was largely a non-issue in the passing game.
| RB Musa Smith, Rush: 5 - 5 - 0, Rec: 3 - 19 - 0 (4 targets) |
Smith was brought in mainly to spell McGahee for a play or two and as a change of pace back in the running game. The Ravens ran Smith in the same manner as McGahee, largely up the middle with the occasional run off tackle. His three receptions were largely a factor of the other receivers being covered and him being used as a safety valve.
| WR Derrick Mason, Rec: 10 - 78 - 0 (13 targets) |
Mason became McNair's go to receiver late in the game when the Ravens were trying to play catch up. For the first half of the game, Mason was a non-issue and was targeted only four times. While not showing break-away speed or being a deep pass threat, Mason did go over the middle for some tough catches in the second half.
| WR Demetrius Williams, Rec: 5 - 63 - 0 (8 targets) |
Williams was the go to receiver in the first half, being targeted twice in the end zone and on a variety of other pass plays. Unfortunately for Williams, McNair's accuracy was lacking throughout the game, especially on the end zone passes.
| WR Mark Clayton, Rec: 3 - 43 - 0 (6 targets) |
Clayton's three receptions came late in the game, when the Browns were playing prevent defense. He was quiet for most of the game and was used largely as a third option in the passing game.
| TE Quinn Sypniewski, Rec: 6 - 34 - 1 (6 targets) |
Sypniewski was called into the game following Todd Heap's hamstring injury. He was used as a safety valve in the passing game, but did manage to catch his first career touchdown pass.
| TE Todd Heap, Rec: 4 - 36 - 0 (8 targets) |
Heap was used primarily as a secondary option in the passing game but he did provide some semblance of a deep vertical passing game for the Ravens. He left the game in the second half with a hamstring injury and did not return.
| PK Matt Stover 2 - 4 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 7 points |
Stover had a rough day going two for four in field goals, missing kicks of 41 and 46 yards. Both misses were ugly kicks, both going far wide of the goalposts.
| BAL Rush Defense |
The Ravens rush defense shut down the Browns rush attack, holding Jamal Lewis to 64 yards on 23 carries, for a 2.8 yard average. For most of the game, the Ravens shut down the interior rushing lanes and were successful in taking the off tackle runs away from the Browns.
| BAL Pass Defense |
The Ravens pass defense was caught on a 78 yard touchdown pass from Derek Anderson to Braylon Edwards in the first quarter. Edwards beat Chris McAllister on the play, and neither safety responded to the blown coverage. Kellen Winslow beat the Ravens DB's later in the second half on a 49 yard pass play to set up a Cleveland field goal. The Ravens did not account for any sacks today and did not bring much pressure on the Browns passing attack.
| QB Derek Anderson, Pass: 10 - 18 - 204 - 2 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 3 - 0 - 0 |
Anderson had an excellent game, only throwing one interception and making the most of his 18 pass attempts. Most of Anderson's passes were crisp, on target throws that allowed his receivers room to run after the catch. He moved through his receiver progression well but still used Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow as his primary targets. The one time Anderson threw downfield, he hit Braylon Edwards in stride on a 78 yard touchdown pass. Anderson's 49 yard pass to Kellen Winslow was a perfectly thrown ball to the Winslow's outside shoulder, which allowed Winslow to break away from the defender and get downfield. The Browns did not ask Anderson to do a lot during the game and chose to stick with the running game
| RB Jamal Lewis, Rush: 23 - 64 - 1 |
Lewis ran the ball a lot, but was largely ineffective. He found no rushing lanes open between the guards and did not have the speed to turn the corner on the Ravens linebackers. He was a non-factor in the passing game, and was spelled by Jason Wright on passing downs.
| WR Braylon Edwards, Rec: 3 - 97 - 1 (5 targets) |
Edwards is clearly the go to wide receiver in the Browns offensive scheme. He was willing to go over the middle of the field but also demonstrated his speed and agility as he faked out and then burned past Chris McAllister on a 78 yard touchdown pass.
| WR Joe Jurevicius, Rec: 2 - 10 - 1 (3 targets) |
Jurevicius played a possession receiver and downfield blocker role for most of the day. He did get underneath the defensive zone coverage for a touchdown reception in the first quarter. He was a third option in the offense for most of the game.
| TE Kellen Winslow Jr, Rec: 4 - 96 - 0 (6 targets) |
Winslow, playing with a shoulder injury, still made a huge impact in the game. Aside from his 49 yard reception, he played a key role in the Browns blocking scheme. Along with Braylon Edwards, Winslow is Anderson's favorite target.
| PK Phil Dawson 2 - 2 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 9 points |
Dawson had a modest day, going two for two on field goals.
| CLE Rush Defense |
The Browns rush defense was unable to contain Willis McGahee and Ravens rushing attack. The Browns 14 point first quarter lead largely took the Ravens out of their game plan and forced them into more passing situations. As such, the Browns rush defense wasn't continually tested by Ravens rushing game. When they did rush, the Ravens were able to get a good push on the Browns defensive line and often times Willis McGahee was able to easily get to the second level of the defense.
| CLE Pass Defense |
The Browns pass defense benefited from an injured Steve McNair, who struggled to find timing and rhythm with his receivers. The fact that the Ravens didn't take any deep passes downfield is a testament to both McNair's injury and the maturation process that a young Browns secondary in undergoing. Rookie CB Eric Wright was not burned for any deep touchdown passes and lead the team in tackles with nine. The Browns did allow McNair to throw for 307 yards, but most of these came later in the game, with the Browns in prevent defense and holding on to the lead.
