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A Gritty Performance

Queen Brissett Browns sack
Joey Pulone/Baltimore Ravens
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The Ravens are not concerned about winning with style.

The games aren’t always pretty, but they’ll take a win any way they can.

The fans at M&T Bank Stadium were preparing for the worst when running back Justice Hill fumbled on Cleveland’s 16-yard line late in the fourth quarter.

The Ravens had blown double-digit leads in all three of their losses this season and another disappointing finish appeared imminent.

However, a costly penalty pushed the Browns’ game-tying field goal attempt to 60 yards and Cade York’s kick was blocked by Malik Harrison, which allowed the Ravens to escape with a 23-20 victory.

“It’s a game-winning block, so I’m excited,” Harrison said. “It means a lot to help the team out. Like I’ve said in previous interviews, I just do whatever the team needs me to do. So, if I need to go out there and make a play on special teams or make a play on defense – anything at all – that’s what I’ll do.”

It was a huge win because the Ravens improved to 2-0 in the AFC North and fully control their playoff destiny.

“It was just really a team win,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh. “That’s about the best way I can sum it up; a team win, and a team that finished the game in the fourth quarter under difficult circumstances. You guys are all making the point, [and] it’s a good point; we kind of had the lead again, what’s going to happen?”

The Ravens’ much-maligned defense is starting to play better under first-year coordinator Mike Macdonald. The Browns were able to get their stout running game going early and late. Nick Chubb entered the game leading the NFL in rushing and finished with 91 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown.

However, Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen had a couple of big stops in the backfield and the Ravens sacked Jacoby Brissett five times.

It was an encouraging performance despite some hiccups by allowing a couple of long drives.

“We stepped up, defense stepped up, special teams stepped up,” Harbaugh said. “Then, offense, we didn’t get the first down. They’re stacking the box [and] we decided to play conservative, but we got the time off the clock, and then the punt team came out there and finished it off. Then, the defense went back out and didn’t give them something to make the play.”

The Ravens also got a solid performance by running back Gus Edwards, who was activated off PUP on Saturday. He ran the ball a surprising team-high 16 times for 66 yards with two touchdowns. He was also crucial in the short-yardage situations, which has cost the Ravens several times this season. Baltimore converted both of their 4th-and-short situations against the Browns.

“It was a tough one,” Edwards said. “It started with the run; I felt like the run game, we got a little bit going. It was tough yards, but we did some good things with [combination] blocks and everything. Big shout out to the offensive line on both of those touchdowns for giving me … for making it easy on my part.”

The Ravens also won despite Lamar Jackson not having his best game. He appeared frustrated after completing just nine of 16 pass attempts for 120 yards. He scoffed at a question about not getting into a rhythm because the Ravens did not commit to throwing the ball all over the field.

Jackson did manage 59 yards rush on 10 carries.

“I mean, we only threw the ball like 16 times,” Jackson said. “I wouldn’t say [it was a] bad rhythm. They made good plays; I got sacked on a couple; I had to get the ball out fast. I only threw the ball like 16 times, though, so I wouldn’t say that. We had excellent runs. So, that’s just what it was.”

The Ravens don’t have much time to savor this win because they play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road Thursday night. Tampa Bay is struggling and coming off a devastating loss to the Carolina Panthers 21-3 in Week 7 that dropped the Buccaneers to 3-4.

The Ravens have some cushion and should be able to play pressure-free football in Florida.

However, they are already focused on that game.

“Start right now – like, literally,” said linebacker Justin Houston, who had two of the team’s five sacks. “Go home and … There’s no rest time. I’ll rest after Thursday night.”

2 Responses

  1. A win is a win. Nice to get back on track. I have to complement Mac on the D. The D played a good game and hopefully will continue to progress in the future. The special teams were excellent. The offense was good but can improve. It’s nice to see the running game improving. I love to see more Duvernay in the offensive mix. Will we have a DJ sighting against the Bucs? I hope Andrews gets healthy, will be tough with a Thursday night game. Lamar just take what you are given. Your time will come. The schedule looks good for the Ravens so we could go on a run. GO RAVENS!!

  2. What you refer to as a gritty performance was just another cliff hanger that came down to the final seconds for a change! While the win was important, how we had to hang on to win has, unfortunately, become part of this team’s DNA! With an easy remaining schedule, they should make the playoffs! But, it’s unrealistic, based on performance to date, to envision a serious postseason run…….

2 Responses

  1. A win is a win. Nice to get back on track. I have to complement Mac on the D. The D played a good game and hopefully will continue to progress in the future. The special teams were excellent. The offense was good but can improve. It’s nice to see the running game improving. I love to see more Duvernay in the offensive mix. Will we have a DJ sighting against the Bucs? I hope Andrews gets healthy, will be tough with a Thursday night game. Lamar just take what you are given. Your time will come. The schedule looks good for the Ravens so we could go on a run. GO RAVENS!!

  2. What you refer to as a gritty performance was just another cliff hanger that came down to the final seconds for a change! While the win was important, how we had to hang on to win has, unfortunately, become part of this team’s DNA! With an easy remaining schedule, they should make the playoffs! But, it’s unrealistic, based on performance to date, to envision a serious postseason run…….

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