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Cleveland Browns: Grades from home opener vs. Ravens

By Jonathan Goehring

Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (11) runs the ball for a first down against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Browns 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (11) runs the ball for a first down against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Browns 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns punter Britton Colquitt (4) holds as kicker Patrick Murray (2) kicks a field goal Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns punter Britton Colquitt (4) holds as kicker Patrick Murray (2) kicks a field goal Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Special Teams: F

Special teams always seems to be a difficult group to grade, and a controversial one at that. Unfortunately for the Browns though, it seems clear what the unit deserves this week.

Strangely and eerily similar to last season’s home game against rival Baltimore, the turning point of the game may have very well been one of the more bizarre plays of the season. After the third touchdown of the game which opened Cleveland’s lead to 20-0, a Patrick Murray extra-point attempt was blocked and returned for Baltimore’s first two points of the afternoon. Though seemingly insignificant at the time, the momentum turned on this play, a play which marked the beginning of 25 unanswered points for the Ravens.

Furthermore, a similar instance occurred later in the game. A Murray 52-yard field goal attempt was tipped and fell short as a result later in the game. Though this too did not seem to have an overwhelming impact on the game, it was a drive in which the Browns had a first down at the Baltimore 15-yard line before a penalty. This gave the Ravens good field position, and once again turned the game’s momentum following a brief, short-lived stint which was in favor of the Browns.

Clearly, the Browns are having issues on field goal protection. They are also having trouble covering punts and kicks, as Devin Hester had a solid game returning.

Evidently, the Browns special teams play has been a severe issue, one that must be corrected as soon as possible. Normally, this would be an overshadowed aspect of a game, but in this case the struggles on special teams proved to be costly for the Browns.

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