Baltimore Ravens

Ravens at Browns: 3 things we learned

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Josh McCown showed he can drive the Cleveland Browns in the absence of injured starter Robert Griffin III. But the Browns still couldn’t handle the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.

Cleveland lost 25-20 to the Ravens, despite putting up 20 points in the first quarter. McCown used his playmakers well, particularly rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman.

But he also took many hits in the pocket, as the Cleveland offensive line struggled to keep a vicious and well-crafted Ravens defense at bay.

As for their own defense, the Browns can be happy about the way they shut down a limp Baltimore ground game. But Cleveland’s linebackers did struggle to stay with receivers over the middle, with tight end Dennis Pitta enjoying a particularly strong day.

Here are the three most notable things we learned about the Ravens and Browns in Week 2.

1. Browns have enough playmakers to be prolific offensively

Even without Griffin under center, the Browns learned they have enough weapons to light up a few scoreboards this season. Specifically, rookie Coleman Cleveland looks like a dynamic receiving threat who can beat coverage in a variety of ways.

Coleman tallied over 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns off only five catches. The one blot on his copybook came from a lack of discipline. Clearly a fiery character, the former Baylor man was drawn into a costly spat with Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith. It led to a penalty which killed a promising drive.

Still, it was only a minor blemish on what was an otherwise eye-opening display from Cleveland’s top rookie. But he wasn’t the only skill player to impress.

Pass-catching running back Duke Johnson completed a 28-yard catch and run in the first quarter, the highlight of his four-catch, 44-yard effort.

Yet, it was the play design that really stood out. Browns head coach Hue Jackson had split Johnson wide in a flanker positions pre-snap. The alignment showcased the back’s flexibility in space and keen understanding of pass concepts.

Johnson’s fellow runner Isaiah Crowell rushed for 133 yards on 18 carries, including an 85-yard score. Meanwhile, tight end Gary Barnidge and slot receiver Andrew Hawkins, both talented intermediate targets, each caught a hat-trick of passes.

The Browns were shut down in the second half, but there are enough weapons for Jackson to quickly shape a very useful offense.

2. Cleveland offensive line must improve

One reason McCown and Co. were closed for business after the opening quarter was how often the Ravens got to the 37-year-old passer. McCown was sacked three times and hit many, many more by a rampant pass rush.

The punishment led to a shoulder problem, although McCown has played it down, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com:

#Browns Josh McCown on shoulder: "unless it's going to fall off, let's try to make it work"

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 18, 2016

McCown has guts, but Jackson will know the men up front need to do better. He also saw Griffin take three sacks in Week 1.

Jackson needs to see his quarterback kept clean in Miami next week.

3. Ravens running game stalling

Head coach John Harbaugh wasn’t impressed with the Baltimore ground attack in Week 1. He’s likely to be less impressed after the Ravens managed a meagre 80 yards on 26 attempts in Cleveland.

The numbers may not look so bad, but remember this is the Browns, a defense soft against the run for years. Cleveland was ranked 30th against the run last season.

The Ravens would have expected to find joy on the ground against the Browns. Yet, every yard was gained the hard way, while big runs were merely the stuff dreams are made of.

It doesn’t help when the committee approach between veteran Justin Forsett and youngster Terrance West clearly isn’t working. Both runners look as if they are craving the rhythm that comes from being the lead workhorse of choice.

A tough Philadelphia Eagles defensive front awaits the Ravens in Week 3, and Harbaugh doesn’t have long to decide who his primary runner is.