Cleveland Browns 3 Duds (and 2 studs) in upsetting Week 4 loss to Ravens

This was a huge contest for the Cleveland Browns as they hosted the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4. But just ahead of kickoff, it was announced Deshaun Watson would miss the game, and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson was set to make his first career start. This development made an already tough rivalry game even more concerning.

Cleveland still had faith they could get it done on the strength of their defense, which had surrendered just six points at home in two tries. This time, however, they gave up 21 before halftime and never really had a shot. The defense doesn't deserve all the blame since the offense was anemic but they're still going to be tough on themselves after their worst performance of the year against the run.

With all that being said, let's look back over the game and identify three duds and two studs from the Week 4 loss.

Cleveland Browns Dud: Jerome Ford, RB

In Cleveland's first loss of the year against Pittsburgh, they saw Nick Chubb go down with a knee injury which altered the course of their season. Chubb was capable of carrying the offense on his shoulders in a game like this but with him out, they've been relying on Jerome Ford.

So far, Ford has been stellar as a receiver but he's left a lot to be desired as a runner. And he's also had some whiffs when it comes to pass protection. On Sunday, he was unable to pick up a blitz when Patrick Queen bowled him over and unloaded on Thompson-Robinson for a huge sack.

Ford finished with just 26 yards on nine rushes and with Pierre Strong going for 49 yards on five attempts, it could be time to make a move at running back.

Cleveland Browns Stud: David Njoku, TE

Deshaun Watson wasn't the only player who entered the weekend as questionable. Tight end David Njoku joined him following a freak accident at home when he burnt his hands, arms, and face while lighting a fire pit in his backyard.

Njoku ended up having some fun with it, showing up to the stadium in a mask and then warming up with another. That was a sign he would suit up and that's what happened. It was also huge for rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was making his first career start.

In the first half, Njoku proved to be a security blanket for Thompson-Robinson, hauling in all three of his targets for 27 yards. Each of those receptions came on third down and two moved the chains for the Cleveland offense.

His first catch of the second half was good for nine yards but it also helped move them out of a dangerous spot. On first-and-12 (thanks to a Jedrick Wills penalty), the Browns were on their own two-yard line but Njoku found a soft spot in the defense and hauled in a nine-yard pass which set them up with a second-and-three.

The veteran tight end finished with a team-high six receptions for 46 yards. He was a solid security blanket for DTR but sadly, that wasn't enough to carry them to a win.

Cleveland Browns Dud: Elijah Moore, WR

Right after an interception gave the Ravens a short field and a 7-0 lead, the Browns offense responded with their best drive of the game. Starting from the 25, they moved the ball down to the Baltimore 19 thanks to a couple of strong runs from Kareem Hunt and a 37-yard pass interference. But then, they went in the wrong direction.

Cleveland went with a receiver reverse and Elijah Moore ended up with the ball. Baltimore was ready for this and had Moore in their sights. Instead of taking the hit and going backward for a five-yard loss, Moore decided to try and escape danger by running backward.

That led to disaster as Moore was taken down at the Baltimore 39 for a loss of 20 yards. They lost another five yards when Thompson-Robinson had an ill-advised penalty for an illegal forward pass and before long, a potential touchdown drive came down to Dustin Hopkins attempting a 53-yard field goal.

Thankfully, Hopkins continued to shine and knocked the ball through the uprights but this was a missed opportunity thanks in large part to the poor decision from Moore. With Deshaun Watson out, the Browns needed their veterans to do their job and help the rookie quarterback, which is far from what Moore accomplished here.

Cleveland Browns Stud: Myles Garrett, EDGE

Looking at a 28-3 loss could make it seem as though the defense failed to do their part. However, that wasn't the case in this one.

Jim Schwartz had his unit doing all they could and while they gave up 28 points — after surrendering just six in the first two home games — 14 of those points came off interceptions from DTR. Despite being put into poor situations, the defense deserves praise, especially Myles Garrett.

He was firing off the line of scrimmage early in the game and helped the team force a three-and-out on the first two series of the game. Garrett ended up with just two tackles but he was pressuring Lamar Jackson all night and had a sack, which also resulted in a fumble. Cleveland was unable to get the ball on that play but Garrett nearly had a momentum-swinger.

Garrett was injured later in the game and had to head to the blue tent. He had an opponent fall on his left leg and that led to trainers checking on him on the field. He got up and was visibly limping before being looked at on the sideline.

Thankfully, he returned to the field so it's (hopefully) nothing to worry about going forward — especially since the entire D-line lacked pop when he wasn't firing off the line as he was before the injury.

Cleveland Browns Dud: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB

This preseason, Dorian Thompson-Robinson became a star. The rookie fifth-round pick from UCLA was electric with both his arm and legs. He did enough that the Cleveland front office decided to trade Josh Dobbs to the Arizona Cardinals for a mid-round pick.

Of course, the hope is that you never need your backup but the Browns were banking on DTR being able to guide the offense should Deshaun Watson go down. Sunday was the first time he was called upon and it didn't take long to start asking if trading Dobbs was a mistake.

The former Cleveland backup has been good with Arizona and even led them to a win over Dallas in Week 3. As for DTR, he struggled mightily in his first start.

Thompson-Robinson was praised for his poise and confidence but didn't show either in Week 4. Instead, he made some bad decisions and threw an interception in the first half that led to the Ravens first points. The only positive thing to say in this regard was that he could have easily thrown three, so one wasn't as bad as it could have been.

When all was said and done, DTR had just 121 yards on 19-of-36 passing. He finished with no touchdowns and had three interceptions. It was far from the game anyone expected and could have the coaching staff wondering if they need to consider making P.J. Walker the No. 2 quarterback in the future.

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