Studs and duds from Ravens 29-24 loss to the Browns in Week 8
Baltimore (5-3) is again searching for answers after a 29-24 loss to Cleveland in Week 8 at Huntington Bank Field. Cleveland (2-6) played inspired football and was victorious for the first time since a Week 2 win over the 2-6 Jacksonville Jaguars.
The shock on the field was rivaled by safety Marcus Williams’s benching and not playing a single defensive snap.
With Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins injured, Jalyn Armour-Davis played every snap at one cornerback spot.
With preparation for Week 9 underway, here are the studs and duds from Sunday.
Dud — Zach Orr
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr at a news conference at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
This award is less about Orr’s first-year play-calling and more about his defense, blowing leads this season. According to ESPN Research, Sunday marked the Ravens’ eighth loss when leading inside the final two minutes of the fourth quarter since the start of the 2022 season. Baltimore’s defense entered this game with the most points allowed in the fourth quarter (84).
Dud — Todd Monken
Oct 13, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) greets offensive coordinator Todd Monken prior to the game against the Washington Commanders at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
Baltimore entered this game as the second-most efficient offense on third downs, converting 50% of the time. On Sunday, Todd Monken’s offense was 2-of ten on third downs (20.0%).
Stud –Lamar Jackson
Oct 27, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against the Cleveland Brownsduring the second quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
It wasn’t his prettiest outing, but Jackson didn’t turn the ball over, and if not for three costly drops, he may have accounted for over 400 total yards. Jackson was 23-38 passing for 289 yards (7.6 avg), two touchdowns and a 101.8 rating. Jackson had eight carries for 48 yards on the afternoon.
Dud — Rashod Bateman
TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 21: Rashod Bateman #7 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after catching a 49-yard pass from Lamar Jackson #8 for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 21, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Bateman had one catch for 28 yards and another ugly drop when he lost the football in the sun.
Stud –Zay Flowers
Oct 27, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns safety Juan Thornhill (1) breaks up a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) during the first half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Flowers kept his streak of 100-yard games, logging seven catches for 115 yards (16.4 avg) and no touchdowns.
Stud — Kyle Hamilton
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 27: Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after failing to intercept a pass in the fourth quarter of a game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on October 27, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Hamilton had ten tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, two passes defended, and two QB hits, but he’ll remember and regret a dropped interception before Winston’s go-ahead touchdown.