Photo credit: cbssports.com
The Browns are in first place in the AFC North for the first time since 2014.
Sunday, the Browns superseded many people with how they played by destroying the Baltimore Ravens 40-25. The Ravens entering the game were playing great football the first three weeks of the season, but the Browns were the better team on the football field in Week 4.
The Browns defense has been carrying much of this team so far this season even with most of their secondary players out such as cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams. Safety Damarious Randell made his return to the field Sunday after missing the last two weeks, and his presence was felt all over the field, I said on Thursday on Pass the Mic with Fitz and Enzo I had faith that the Browns defense was going to shut down the Ravens offense, and I was right.
Lamar Jackson, who has had an impressive start to the season, did not look good against the Browns pass defense. He was sacked four times in this game and at halftime, he threw for less than 100 yards. By the end of the game, he only passed for 247 yards, which is the lowest amount of yards he threw so far this season.
In my opinion, In my opinion, Jackson does not play well against good NFL defenses. This could also go for the Ravens running back Mark Ingram, who only ran for 71 yards. The Browns defense also forced three Ravens turnovers.
Entering the game, the Browns offense had been struggling for most of the season, but they found their spark against the Ravens. It was the best game so far for quarterback Baker Mayfield this season as he passed for 342 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Wide receiver Jarvis Landry led the team with 8 receptions for 165 yards while his best friend Odell Beckham Jr. only had one catch the whole game. Landry did go out later in the game with concussion-like symptoms.
Mayfield found a target he liked to throw to in this game, and that person is Ricky Seals-Jones, who was with the Cardinals the last two years. Seals-Jones had three receptions for 82 yards and one touchdown.
The main man for the Browns offensive in this game was running back Nick Chubb. Chubb ran for 165 yards and three touchdowns, including an 88-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. He looked to be unstoppable when the ball was in his hands.
Overall, this was a great win for the Browns as they destroyed a division rival that looks to be a playoff team.
Next week , the Browns travel out west to play against the San Francisco Niners on Monday Night Football. The Browns have an overall record of 2-2 and are tied with the Ravens for first place in the AFC North with the Browns right now holding the tie-breaker thanks to the head-to-head victory Sunday. In my opinion, when the Ravens come to Cleveland on December 22, that will be the game where the Browns will win the AFC North and end their 17-year playoff drought. Mark my words; Cleveland will be going crazy, and the Browns are just getting started!
Enzo Orlando is a member of the BSR Sports Department. He co-hosts Pass the Mic with Fitz and Enzo every Thursday from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. on blacksquirrelradio.com. Follow him on Twitter @JohnnyEnzo2, and the show @pass_the_mic_.