Cleveland Browns: Winners and losers from statement win over Ravens
The Cleveland Browns needed to make a statement against the Ravens in Week 4 and did so with a huge win. Who were the Browns’ winners and losers?
After three weeks of stumbling out of the gates, the Cleveland Browns needed to show signs of life in their first AFC North matchup of the 2019 season. That wouldn’t be easy, of course, as Baker Mayfield and the Browns headed to M&T Bank Stadium to face the 2-1 Baltimore Ravens. Yet, if the Browns were going to start turning things around, they needed to show it against a good team.
Freddie Kitchens’ team did just that on Sunday in Baltimore. Led by Nick Chubb going off for three touchdowns and Mayfield bouncing back for a great game, in addition to a supremely good defensive effort against Lamar Jackson and co, the Browns picked up an emphatic 40-25 victory over their division rivals.
This was a hugely important win for the Browns as they try to get their much anticipated 2019 season back on track. We shall see if that continues but it was a good start in Baltimore on Sunday. And here are the winners and losers for Cleveland in the big win over the Ravens to make a statement in Week 4.
Winner: Nick Chubb
Through the first three games, Nick Chubb was the most consistent piece on the Cleveland Browns offense. And while he was largely stifled through the first two quarters on Sunday and had under 40 yards on 11 carries early in the third quarter, Chubb kept grinding and finally started running right through the Baltimore defense, including an emphatic 88-yard touchdown run to answer a Ravens second-half score.
At the end of the day, Chubb finished with 20 carries for 165 yards and three touchdowns, even adding three catches for 18 yards. The Browns running back is, without question, a true workhorse with big-play ability and, also, the ability to wear defenses down. The whole repertoire was on display in Week 4 as he enjoyed a monster hand in the victory.
Winner: Baker Mayfield
Deservedly so, second-year quarterback Baker Mayfield had been under heavy criticism for the Browns’ slow start. Not only did he have five interceptions through three games but he was looking rattled in situations where he shouldn’t have been. Thus, he needed to take a big step forward if this offense was actually going to have success.
The 2018 first overall pick did exactly that in the first AFC North matchup of 2019. He was far more comfortable and stable within the pocket — thanks partially to the offensive line — while also benefitting from more quick passes that then helped open up things down the field.
On top of that, the one interception Mayfield threw wasn’t wholly his fault as Jarvis Landry should have and could have made a play. On the whole, though, the quarterback looked like the player many hoped he’d be this season.