AFC North: Ravens Lose Heartbreaker, Browns Dominate

In AFC North action during the 1 p.m. time slot, the Cleveland Browns bounced back by routing the Tennessee Titans, 27-3, while the Baltimore Ravens lost a heartbreaker to the Indianapolis Colts, 22-19, in overtime. If the Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday Night Football, there will be a three-way tie at the top of the division with the Steelers, Ravens and Browns all 2-1. The Steelers would have the tiebreaker since they lost to an NFC opponent in the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. The Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) host the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football.

The Browns’ defense continues to look impressive this season, as they surrendered a record-low 94 yards and just three points to Tennessee. All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett also had a banner day, recording five total tackles, 3.5 sacks, three tackles for loss and five quarterback hits.

The Browns’ offense also looked impressive, even without star running back Nick Chubb, who suffered a devastating season-ending injury in Monday night’s loss to the Steelers, as they racked up 23 first downs and 341 total yards. Quarterback Deshaun Watson bounced back after two dreadful outings to start the season. Watson completed 27 of 33 passes (81.8%) for 289 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions and a quarterback rating of 123.4  Watson’s 43-yarder to Amari Cooper put the Browns up 27-3 in the fourth quarter. Watson had an ill-advised pitch while under pressure, but other than that, he was pretty much flawless.

Amari Cooper led the Browns with seven receptions for 116 yards (16.6 average) and a touchdown. Elijah Moore also had nine receptions for 49 yards (5.4 average). Pierre Strong Jr. led Cleveland in rushing with 27 yards on six carries (4.5 average), while Kareem Hunt rushed for 13 yards on five carries after re-signing with the team earlier this week.

The Browns’ defense held Tennessee All-Pro running back Derrick Henry to just 20 yards on 11 carries (1.8 average). His longest run was just nine yards. The Browns simply dominated the Titans in every facet of the
game.

Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson ran for 101 yards and two touchdowns for the Ravens but he failed to take advantage of two opportunities in overtime when Baltimore started with great field position. The Ravens had the ball at  Indianapolis’ 48-yard line after the Colts punted on their first overtime drive. But the Colts’ defense forced a three-and-out. All-Pro Justin Tucker missed a 61-yard field goal at the end of regulation, but they were nearly in his range.

Jackson started from the Ravens’ 46-yard line on Baltimore’s second possession in overtime, but they were unable to convert a first down and turned the ball over on downs. Jackson’s pass over the middle to Zay Flowers fell incomplete on fourth-and-3. The Colts took advantage of the great field position and set up Matt Gay with a 53-yard game-winning field goal. Gay made a record four kicks from beyond 50 yards, including a 53-yarder that tied it in the final minute of regulation.

Gardner Minshew, who replaced injured rookie Anthony Richardson, had an impressive performance, throwing for 227 yards and a touchdown for the Colts. Running back Zach Moss also went off with 122 yards rushing on 30 carries (4.1 average). Moss also had two receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown. Michael Pittman Jr. led Indianapolis with nine receptions for 77 yards (8.6) average).

Jackson was impressive on the ground, but he passed for only 202 yards. There were rainy conditions in Baltimore, however. Flowers was Jackson’s leading receiver with eight receptions for 48 yards (6.0 average).

The Browns host the Ravens next Sunday, while the Bengals will travel to Tennessee. The Steelers play the Texans in Houston. All the AFC North games are on Sunday and at 1 p.m. in Week 4.