Baltimore’s defense has had its issues this season, but the Ravens always seemed to come up with a big play or turnover when they needed one – until Kyle Hamilton gave up what looked like a certain interception in the final moments against Cleveland.
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Baltimore’s defense has had issues this season, but the Ravens always seemed to come up with a big play or turnover when they needed one.
Until last weekend, when safety Kyle Hamilton dropped what looked like a certain interception in the final moments against Cleveland.
The Browns took advantage of this reprieve to score the winning touchdown with just under a minute to play. a 29-24 victory Sunday. Cleveland, which had not scored 20 points in a game all season, reached that total before the end of the third quarter and finished with 401 yards.
“Here we are and I think we could make more plays. I know we can,” coach John Harbaugh said Monday. “And I believe our guys are going to do it.”
The Ravens (5-3) allow 361 yards per game, compared to 301 last season. Baltimore has eight takeaways this season – it’s not a huge number, but some are particularly timely. A Marlon Humphrey interception late in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati helped the Ravens force overtime in a game. they finally won. Tampa Bay was also moving the ball well against Baltimore before an interception in the end zone by Humphrey helped the Ravens. take control of this game.
A fumble recovery late in the first half against the Browns led to a touchdown for Baltimore, but Sunday’s game will be remembered more for the turnovers the Ravens failed to pull off. Baltimore has lost eight interceptions this season according to Pro Football Focusincluding three last weekend.
The loss to Cleveland is a sign that relying too much on opponent turnovers is not sustainable. And the Ravens have to catch the ball when the opposing quarterback gives them the chance.
“There’s no big theory behind it, we’re just in a state of depression right now that we need to get out of,” said safety Eddie Jackson, who had the other two interceptions dropped against the Browns. “Because a lot of these plays are game changers, if we make them.”
What works
Lamar Jackson threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns even though his receivers had their own problems holding on to the ball. Jackson’s passer rating of 115.4 this season is the best of his career.
What requires work
The defense had enough problems before the Ravens had to play Sunday without Humphrey (knee) and rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins (illness). Then, during the game, Baltimore lost defensive linemen Brent Urban (concussion) and Michael Pierce (calf).
The Ravens rank last in the league in pass defense, and although they have faced tough quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, the Browns and Jameis Winston were supposed to be an easier challenge.
“It’s frustrating, that’s for sure. We are the Ravens. We take pride in our defense and obviously everyone references our performance last year and comparing it to this year, it’s just not the same,” the defensive lineman said Nnamdi Madubuike. “It’s a game we should have won, and we didn’t, so it’s very frustrating. And I know a lot of guys feel the same way I do.
Store
Punter Jordan Stout had a good game, averaging 52.3 yards on four attempts.
Stock falling
Veteran safety Marcus Williams did not play at all despite being active during the game. Harbaugh called it a “personal decision” after the game and did not elaborate Monday.
“There’s a lot going on all the time,” Harbaugh said. “A lot of this is our business – it’s internal – it’s between us, and it’s not something we need to tell everyone everything about.”
Injuries
Harbaugh didn’t hear from Pierce, but injuries on the defensive line could hurt Baltimore’s run defense, which has had more success than the pass defense thus far.
Key number
93 — The number of points the Ravens have allowed in the fourth quarter this season after Cleveland scored nine.
Next steps
Baltimore’s next two games will be at home. The Ravens host Denver on Sunday before a Thursday night game against Cincinnati.
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