Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) passes Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Bryce Hall (34) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns have a shared history and similar address in the AFC North.
For now, that’s about all they have in common.
The division rivals, currently on opposite ends of the NFL spectrum, meet again Sunday as the Ravens (5-2) attempt to extend their winning streak to six games while the Browns (1-6) desperately hang on in a season that is moving away.
If you haven’t already.
With the possible exception of the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, no team plays at the same level as the Ravens, who boast the league’s top-ranked offense led by the dynamic duo of Lamar Jackson and his new running mate, Derrick Henry.
“They’re averaging 31 points a game right now and they’re No. 1,” Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah said, reciting some of Baltimore’s stellar offensive stats. “It’s a challenge for us.”
Jackson is having perhaps his best season, and that’s saying a lot considering he’s a two-time league MVP. He has the best passer rating (118.0) and has thrown 15 touchdown passes with just two interceptions.
He also rushed for 455 yards with two scores and is on pace to become the first player to pass for 4,000 yards and 1,000 yards in the same season.
Against Tampa Bay on Monday night, Jackson put on a prime-time show, throwing five touchdown passes and running for 52 yards in a 41-31 victory in a game the Ravens had locked down late in the third quarter.
There have been five games in league history in which a player recorded at least five touchdown passes and ran for 50 yards – Jackson has three.
“When we say there’s another level, it’s like, okay, we didn’t know it was another level because he was playing at a very high level,” Owusu said- Koramoah on Jackson’s jump in game. “He uses his feet. He makes miraculous plays, extending plays like all great quarterbacks do. He bears this offense.
The Browns are waiting for theirs to arrive.
Already desperate, Cleveland’s problems worsened last week when quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in a loss to Cincinnati.
Either way, Watson hasn’t lived up to expectations amid a slew of offensive line injuries, dropped passes and penalties, but the Browns were committed to this being a pivotal season for him. and the team.
He crashed last week and Watson was carried off the field in tears.
Jameis Winston takes over this week and will make his first start since 2022 with New Orleans. The 2015 No. 1 overall pick is the 38th quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999, and his experience should help calm things down and perhaps provide a spark.
It might not be anything like what Joe Flacco provided last year in leading the Browns to the playoffs, but anything to lighten the current darkness.
“We’re looking for something,” said two-time All-Pro guard Joel Bitonio. “I wish I had an answer.”
Ah Henri!
Henry hit the ground running – and snarling – in his first season with Baltimore.
The bruiser, who signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Ravens as a free agent in March after eight seasons in Tennessee, leads the NFL with 873 yards. He averages 6.5 yards per carry and showed he can still break off a long one, rushing for 81 yards against the Buccaneers.
Henry is averaging 124.7 yards in seven games and is on pace for 2,120, which would break the league record of 2,105 yards set by Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, set in 1984 .
The 30-year-old threatened the sacred mark in 2020, finishing with 2,027 yards.
Jackson believes his teammate can surpass him this year.
“It’s there,” the QB said. “I think he can do it. I believe he can do it.
Signal change
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski had a reverse before practice this week.
With his offense in a prolonged funk and ranked dead last in many categories, Stefanski turned playmaking duties over to coordinator Ken Dorsey. This decision was surprising given that he had defiantly resisted doing so in the past.
Stefanski said it was a good time to move on to Dorsey, who called up Buffalo before being fired midway through last season.
Stefanski will continue to help design the game plan with Dorsey, who is confident the transition will be smooth.
Dorsey also knows the change won’t matter if the Browns continue to make mistakes. It’s as much about the players as it is about the plays.
“There is no magic coach or magic pill to play better on offense,” he said. “I take the same approach as a coach that any player should. We really want to go out and play fast, physical and responsible football for each other.
Cool it
One of the sharpest throws by a Browns player last week didn’t come from any of their three quarterbacks.
Catcher Jerry Jeudy threw down his helmet.
Upset at not being targeted, Jeudy stormed off the field in the third quarter and pulled his helmet to the ground in frustration. It was Jeudy’s first game since the Browns traded No. 1 receiver Amari Cooper to Buffalo and the lack of attention drew him in.
“I want that back,” he said. “I have to be better than that.”
Jeudy’s first season in Cleveland didn’t go as well as he hoped. The Browns acquired him in a trade with Denver in March. Although he has a team-high 266 receiving yards, Jeudy’s stats would likely be better with a few more connections.
Has it been opened?
“You all need to watch the movie,” he told reporters. “The film tells the whole story.”
