Cleveland Browns offseason hype still intact

Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens remained even-keeled all week despite criticisms from every angle possible. Maybe now the fans and media alike will follow suit.

With a less than ideal start to the season, the once full bandwagon of the Cleveland Browns seemed to be slowly emptying. After a 40-25 win against the Baltimore Ravens, the Browns now sit atop the division.

For the first time all season the offense and defense played equally as well. Baker Mayfield stood in the pocket and made big-time throw after big-time throw. Mayfield went19-28 for 315, with one touchdown and interception.

Sure, Odell Beckham didn’t have a big day yielding only two receptions but Jarvis Landry reminded Baltimore and all other NFL secondaries that he too is elite with eight receptions for 167 yards before exiting as he was checked for a concussion. Nick Chubb ran for 20 carries, 165 yards, and three touchdowns against the Ravens’ stout run defense.

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Speaking of defense, boy did the Browns show why all every member of the team could talk about during training camp was how little attention the defense was getting. After shutting down an offense averaging 37 points and 512 yards per game, this defense is sure to get much more love.

The Browns defense has held a potent Los Angeles Rams offense to 20 points, and now the Ravens get just 25 after a garbage-time touchdown to Willie Snead. Lamar Jackson entered this game with zero interceptions on the year, but he threw two today, and the Browns added four sacks.

The defense has done played this well without their starting secondary versus the Rams and three of the four starters being inactive against Ravens.

This was a complete game for Cleveland and illustrated why the Browns received so much offseason hype. Head coach Freddie Kitchens dialed up great play after great play.

Even getting creative with a double reverse pass that should have been caught by Damion Ratley and a reverse triple-option play involving Beckham and Landry that setup Chubb’s second touchdown.

Chubb’s third touchdown, an 88-yard run, helped break a 39-0 run for the Browns in the fourth quarter scoring on the season. Dontrell Hilliard got into the action adding a touchdown of his own.

Even the special teams units played well with the highlight being Austin Siebert going 2-2 on field goals and 3-3 on extra points. Siebert is now 7-7 on field goals this season.

Cleveland amassed 531 total yards and 40 points — eclipsing their season highs by 156 yards and 17 points.

Kitchens and the players said all week that they’re close. Kitchens also said we’re not pushing the panic button, they sure didn’t, and neither should their fans still on the wagon.

This win should put this first quarter of the season into perspective. The Browns are now 2-2, tied atop the division with the Ravens and every preseason goal still ahead of them. Now is the time to stay just as even-keeled as Kitchens and the rest of the team.