Big first quarter lead becomes end of game bust as Browns lose 25-20 to the Ravens
By Mark West, @Markw2112
Different coaches, different players, same result. The Cleveland Browns, who always seem to find a way to lose, did it once again against the Baltimore Ravens with a 25-20 loss that saw the Browns start out with 3 quick touchdowns in the first quarter. Those would be the only points the Browns would score for the rest of the game. The Ravens would come back and score 25 unanswered points to win the game. The 2 point safety was from a blocked extra point that was taken back.
Josh McCown started once again for the Browns and was extremely accurate in that first quarter. But he was hit very hard throughout the game and appears to have hurt his left shoulder, which would be the same injury that Robert Griffin III suffered in week 1. But he continued to play the entire game, going 22-of-33 for 260 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Both touchdowns went to Corey Coleman, first one on a 31 yard bomb and the second, on a shorter one from the red zone that he scrapped and fought for.
Isaiah Crowell had a big day with 133 yards and an 85 yard touchdown. Terrelle Pryor had 3 catches for 32 yards. In the fourth quarter, with the Browns down 5 and needing a touchdown, McCown threw a bullet on the sideline to Pryor who caught it and went out of bounds. As he was delivering the ball to the ref, it bounced off the defenders head and the ref coming in threw a flag for taunting. It was offset due to a penalty by the Ravens. The next throw was an interception to end the game.
Joe Flacco was his effective self against the Browns, going 25-of-45 with 302 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, both by Haden. Dennis Pitta lead all Ravens receivers with 102 receiving yards. Mike Wallace lead with 2 touchdowns. Justin Tucker had 3 field goals including a 52 yard bomb which could have gone over 60 yards.
My thoughts: Browns tank continues. While growth can be seen, especially with Corey Coleman, the Browns just couldn't keep the lead and lost it in the worst possible way. Josh McCown will more than likely be out for a while after getting hit hard multiple times on his left shoulder. McCown is a true pro's pro, but this might have been his only game this season. The Browns defense did somewhat better this week, with Joe Haden getting 2 picks. But Joe Flacco was able to pick apart the Browns secondary. They didn't record a sack and it appears that Carl Nassib may miss some time with injury. The way the game ended was just another typical Browns ending. So close yet so far away.
Player of the game: Josh McCown, who soldiered on with a bad left shoulder. If only he was 10 years younger.
Play of the game: A 35 yard bomb from McCown to Corey Coleman in the back of the end zone. The first of his career.
Play of the game 2: Isaiah Crowell's 85 yard touchdown run.
Next: at Miami, against the Dolphins at 1 PM.
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