Baltimore Ravens 28, Cleveland Browns 7
Here are the top-graded players and biggest takeaways from the Ravens' 28-7 win over the Browns:
Quarterback grade: Joe Flacco, 51.3
More of the same from Flacco
The forced go route to Steve Smith. The “what was he thinking?” interception by Joe Haden in the back of the end zone on a forced throw. Flacco did his best to give away this game at times, but was saved by the efforts from his playmakers. Shallow crosses and slants accounted for 166 of Flacco’s 296 yards on the day, and his lone deep completion was the result of a great adjustment from Breshad Perriman.
Top offensive grades:
Kyle Juszczyk, 82.8
RT Ricky Wagner, 81.0
RB Kenneth Dixon, 78.8
RB Terrance West, 78.3
WR Mike Wallace, 77.2
Running backs both prove worthy
It was tough sledding for the Ravens' backs for most of the game, as the offensive line struggled mightily to open holes. Most of the yards that came on the ground were solely the creations of Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon. 78 of their combined 103 yards came after contact. Dixon was particularly impressive, albeit on limited touches. On his six carries, Dixon broke two tackles and had another long run called back by a penalty. His 26 snaps were a career-high.
Top defensive grades:
CB Jerraud Powers, 85.3
CB Tavon Young, 85.0
OLB Terrell Suggs, 83.6
CB Jimmy Smith, 82.5
LB Albert McClellan, 80.7
Cornerbacks shut down Cleveland offense
All three of the top cornerbacks for the Ravens had impressive games. Jerraud Powers had a pass defense on the only pass targeted into his coverage, as well as an interception on a ball that was off-target due to the quarterback being hit. Tavon Young allowed four receptions for a measly 10 total yards, and had a pass defense of his own. Jimmy Smith was the only corner to allow a reception over 10 yards, which went for 18. The other four receptions went for a combined 30 yards, and Smith also broke up a pass. They did have some help up front, led by Terrell Suggs’ six total pressures on 24 pass rushes.
Quarterback grades: Cody Kessler, 74.7; Josh McCown, 61.8
Browns bench Kessler, McCown turns ball over as replacement
Cody Kessler led the Browns to their only touchdown of the night before being replaced by Josh McCown. Kessler was decent prior to the benching. He completed 3-of-4 passes targeted 10-plus yards downfield, including the touchdown. When kept clean, he completed 9-of-11 passes and had an above-average grade. The same can’t be said for McCown, who completed just one pass over 10 yards and threw one interception that was his fault.
Top offensive grades:
RG John Greco, 82.0
QB Cody Kessler, 74.7
LT Joe Thomas, 70.3
RT Austin Pasztor, 69.1
RB Duke Johnson 67.3
An all-around ineffective game for the offense
After a nice start to the season, Isaiah Crowell has not played nearly as well of late. He gained just 23 yards on his nine carries, and dropped a pass. He has also averaged fewer than 3 yards per carry in five of his last six games, and forced just two missed tackles during that span. Terrelle Pryor led the team with 48 receiving yards, all of which came against Jimmy Smith’s coverage. Corey Coleman was the only other Browns wide receiver to have a catch, and he managed just 17 yards on three receptions.
Top defensive grades:
NT Danny Shelton, 84.2
LB Jamie Collins, 79.8
DT Stephen Paea, 79.6
LB Chris Kirksey, 76.5
S Ed Reynolds, 75.7
Shelton shines in Cleveland's offense
If there is any solace that Browns fans can take away from the loss, it’s that nose tackle Danny Shelton is a monster. The Ravens had 11 runs hit off of either A gap (next to the center, on either side) at an average of 2.9 yards per carry. Shelton wasn’t racking up the stops like he has been for most of the season, but he affected almost every run play. Shelton was also one of the lone linemen able to get pressure on Flacco, as he notched two pressures and multiple other wins.
PFF Game Ball: Ravens’ OLB Terrell Suggs
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