The Baltimore Ravens suffered a heartbreaking loss at home to the Cleveland Browns in Week 10 of the 2023 NFL season, losing 33-31. The Ravens were expected to win this game, but instead, they collapsed in the second half. They just allowed the Browns to come back and steal the victory. In this article, we will examine the reasons behind the Ravens' collapse and identify the personnel who are most to blame for this devastating loss.
Week 10 Collapse
Baltimore might never fully comprehend how they lost this one. After all, they did have several big moments. These included a pick-six by Kyle Hamilton on the game's first play. They also held the Browns to an 0-for-3 record in the red zone during the first half and scored touchdowns like a 39-yard run by Keaton Mitchell and a 40-yard catch-and-run by Odell Beckham Jr. And then there was an unfortunate fumble by former Raven James Proche II that set up Gus Edwards' touchdown run. These provided the Ravens with a 14-point lead less than four minutes into the fourth quarter.
In truth, Edwards' touchdown should have sealed the victory. However, things took an unexpected turn. Baltimore's top-ranked scoring defense allowed Browns QB Deshaun Watson to complete three significant passes during Cleveland's next drive, resulting in a clever touchdown pass to Elijah Moore. That narrowed the score to 31-24. The Ravens' offense failed to produce any points during their subsequent drive after Greg Newsome's interception, allowing the Browns to win the game in regulation, which they ultimately achieved.
Here we will look at the four Baltimore Ravens who are most to blame for their Week 10 collapse vs. the Cleveland Browns.
Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson experienced moments of success, particularly with short to intermediate throws like the 40-yard touchdown pass to Odell Beckham Jr. in the third quarter. However, when under pressure, Jackson committed turnovers. We saw this when he threw his first interception just before halftime. Throughout this season and his career, his inability to connect on deep passes remains a weakness. Additionally, Jackson struggled to read the field for most of the game, and his fourth-quarter pick-six was inexcusable. In all, Jackson completed 13-of-23 passes for 223 yards with two INTs and one touchdown. He was also sacked thrice. He finished with a sub-68 passer rating.
Defensive Line
The Ravens might have been overly confident in their abilities, but the defensive line, along with the entire defense, failed to stop the Browns when it mattered most. The Browns consistently ran the ball up the middle, accumulating 178 rushing yards. Even when tackles Broderick Washington and Justin Madubuike applied pressure from the outside (resulting in one sack and three quarterback hits), Watson managed to run up the middle. He kept drives alive with eight carries for 37 yards. While nose tackle Michael Pierce had a solid game with four tackles, the Ravens needed more from the defensive line.
Overall, the Ravens' defense played a significant role in their second-half collapse. This contrasted with their earlier success in the game. They allowed a season-high 27 points and 373 total offensive yards to the Browns in the final two periods, giving up big plays both through the air and on the ground.
Todd Monken
In a game where Jackson struggled, offensive coordinator Todd Monken continued to entrust him with the ball instead of relying on the running game. That was a decision that proved costly. Defensively, despite discussing Watson's running and scrambling abilities throughout the week, the Ravens failed to effectively respond to his mobility. On a positive note, the Ravens have an opportunity to overcome this disappointment quickly as they host the Bengals in a prime-time matchup on Thursday night.
Justin Tucker
Future Hall of Fame kicker Justin Tucker attempted only two kicks on Sunday. While he successfully converted a 37-yard field goal in the first quarter, his 55-yard attempt in the second quarter was blocked by Browns defensive lineman Jordan Elliott. Tucker maintains a perfect record on kicks from 50 yards or less but is now 0-4 on attempts from beyond midfield.
Looking Ahead
The Baltimore Ravens' loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 10 of the 2023 NFL season was a big blow to their hopes of staying atop their division. The Ravens had a 17-9 lead at halftime but collapsed in the second half, allowing the Browns to score 24 points. The Ravens' defense, which had been dominant in the first half, was unable to stop the Browns' offense in the second half. Meanwhile, the Ravens' offense eventually struggled to move the ball. Lamar Jackson, Todd Monken, Justin Tucker, and their defensive line are all to blame for the Ravens' collapse. They must take responsibility for their mistakes. If the Ravens hope to make the playoffs this season, they will need to learn from this loss and make the necessary adjustments to avoid similar collapses in the future.
Follow Us
Subscribe