Browns beat Ravens in overtime, 33-30
Oct 11, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) shambles during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
505 total yards.
That is the number put up by the Cleveland Browns offense today as they went to Baltimore and defeated the Ravens in a game that went into overtime.
The game looked like it may become out of reach after the Ravens built a 14-3 lead after the first quarter, but the Browns kept it close and went into halftime down 14-9.
After a 21-point second half by the offense, a Travis Coons field goal gave the Browns their second win of the season, and sent the Ravens to the bottom of the AFC North.
Josh McCown finished with an astonishing 457 passing yards, silencing those still calling the name of Johnny Manziel.
Gary Barnidge remained McCown’s favorite target with eight catches for 139 yards and one circus catch of a touchdown, where he caught the ball between his legs on a pass thrown up for grabs by a pressured McCown.
Gary Barnidge used his legs & taint to make the catch! pic.twitter.com/RGYoerkx8A
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) October 11, 2015
The offense was the story of the day, but there are still plenty of problems on defense.
Joe Flacco was held to 210 passing yards, but the Ravens gained 181 rushing yards. This lack of stopping the run will not be as heavily discussed because of the win, but nothing has seemed to improve in that department since Week 1.
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As has been noted on this site and by also looking at the schedule, things will only get tougher as the weeks go on.
But the Browns won today so let’s talk about something positive. The run defense can wait until tomorrow.
How about Josh McCown leading three, second half touchdown drives? Yeah, let’s look at those.
Down 21-9 in the third quarter, the Browns got the ball desperately in need of a touchdown. Travis Coons is a major asset and the hero of today’s game, but I would prefer to see him coming on for extra points instead of field goals.
Following a 90-yard Ravens touchdown drive, McCown led a 13-play, 75-yard drive finished off on a 10-yard run by McCown to put the Browns down 21-16.
A Ravens punt followed, and a Browns touchdown drive ensued. The highlight of the drive was the opening play, which was a 56-yard bomb to Taylor Gabriel. This kind of play had only been seen with Travis Benjamin this season, so it was nice to see another receiver be part of a big play on offense.
The drive finished with the Barnidge catch made between his legs, in a play often seen going against the Browns. Perhaps the Ravens took some Browns luck with them to Baltimore all those years ago.
The touchdown put the Browns up 22-21, but it would have been foolish to expect the Browns to hold that lead with this defense. It’s fun to dream, it really is.
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The Ravens, of course, scored but the Browns were able to answer once again with a drive ending on a 22-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Crowell.
This offense is so stable it is almost surprising to watch. The wonders of having a competent quarterback are new in Northeast Ohio. So new, some “fans” still complain even when he does well.
The Browns were up 30-27 when they stopped the Ravens on third down to force a punt with 2:32 left. That was until K’Waun Williams was called for unnecessary roughness on a blown call. I can admit when the Browns commit a penalty, I’m not that crazy, but this was a bad call by the ref. The hit came a split second after the play could have been considered live, and gave the Ravens a chance to win the game.
When the Ravens had a first and goal at the Browns 10-yard line, I thought the game was lost. The Ravens were driving on the defense all game, and it seemed like a matter of time before last week’s result became this week’s.
But somehow the defense held and forced a field goal. I’m still not sure how.
Cut to overtime and following a Ravens three-and-out, Coons won the game with a comfortable 32-yard field goal.
The Browns still have plenty of problems to deal with, but it will be nice to celebrate a win before facing the reality of a game against the Denver Broncos.