The Cleveland Browns suffered a devastating 41-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2, a game marred by crucial turnovers and defensive breakdowns. While the final score tells a tale of defeat, a closer look reveals the key players and units that emerged as winners and losers.
One of the biggest losers was Browns quarterback Joe Flacco. His two interceptions and a fumble directly led to 21 Ravens points. His ill-advised throw to a covered David Njoku resulted in an interception that set up Baltimore's first touchdown. Even worse, Flacco's fumble, recovered for a 63-yard touchdown by Roquan Smith, effectively sealed the Browns' fate. The lack of protection from the offensive line contributed, but Flacco's decision-making under pressure was undeniably a major factor. His post-game admission of a failure to throw the ball away underscored his critical mistakes.
In contrast, the Baltimore Ravens' defense was a clear winner. Their ability to capitalize on the Browns' turnovers and shut down Cleveland's offensive momentum was a game-changer. Roquan Smith's fumble recovery and return were a highlight, but the consistent pressure applied to Flacco throughout the game speaks volumes.
Another winner was Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson had a stellar performance, throwing for 224 yards and four touchdowns. Remarkably, Myles Harden and Cameron Mitchell were the primary defenders covering his targets on each touchdown, highlighting the vulnerability of the Browns' secondary. The absence of starter Martin Emerson Jr. due to an Achilles injury clearly exacerbated the problem.
The Browns' defense, however, showed surprising success in limiting Ravens running back Derrick Henry. Henry, despite his previous dominant performance, was held to just 23 yards on 11 carries. This performance is a testament to defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's strategies and suggests the team may have found a formula for neutralizing Henry's threat. This should be a significant factor for future game planning against powerful running backs.
However, this defensive success was overshadowed by the special teams' failure. A blocked punt by the Ravens, resulting from a missed block by Ronnie Hickman Jr., gave Baltimore excellent field position and an easy touchdown. This single play illustrates the ripple effect of special teams errors, impacting the momentum and overall outcome of the game.
Cedric Tillman redeemed himself after last week’s dropped pass with a crucial catch on a fourth-and-2, but this was not enough to make up for a disappointing day for both the offense and defense. Ultimately, this game exposed several critical vulnerabilities within the Browns' organization, highlighting significant areas needing immediate attention and improvement.
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Originally published at: https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2025/09/winners-and-losers-from-the-browns-41-17-loss-to-the-ravens.html
