Baltimore Beatdown
The Baltimore Ravens exit their home opener with a throttling against the Cleveland Browns, 41-17. For a second straight game, they’ve scored more than 40 points. And to close out the game, the Ravens scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, denying any comeback attempt from the Browns.
MVP: WR Devontez Walker
Three times, he’s caught a ball in the NFL and all three have ended been in the end zone. Today, two receptions for 26 yards and two touchdowns. The Ravens needed a burst and they get it from Walker.
MVP: Special Teams
An excellent game from the Ravens’ special teams. Loop was perfect on points. Jordan Stout has showed out in these two games with excellent punt distance and placement. The punt unit also delivered a block from Jake Hummel and LaJohntay Wester managed a great return, too. The only issue for the unit today was two kicks by Loop being out of bounds, granting the Browns positive field position.
MVP: Fourth-Quarter Ravens
Entering the fourth quarter, the Ravens led by 10 and the ESPN win probability stood above 90%. It’s been a running theme of that being the worst possibility for them, as they’ve failed to close out games. Against the Browns, it was when they were at their best. Walker scored his second touchdown of the game. Linebacker Roquan Smith scooped up a strip-sack from Tavius Robinson on Joe Flacco, running it 64 yards back for a touchdown. DeAndre Hopkins put a cap on it all with a 23-yard reception, contorting his body to secure the dime of a pass from Lamar Jackson. Brilliant all around.
Winners
LB Roquan Smith – Seeing Smith bounce back and play an excellent game, capped with a scoring touchdown was highly welcome. Smith had three TFLs, two quarterback hits, and led the game with 15 combined tackles.
QB Lamar Jackson – Jackson finished the game with 19-of-29 for 225 yards and four touchdowns, with a 128.6 quarterback rating. He continues to prove he’s the best in the NFL.
WR Tylan Wallace – On a day where the Ravens have Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers and DeAndre Hopkins, it’s Walker and Wallace who put the points on the board. Wallace opened the touchdown scoring on the day in the second quarter and ended today with two receptions on two targets for 25 yards and the TD. But prior to the touchdown was a critically important fumble recovery the play before.
CB Nate Wiggins – After the Ravens failed to score a touchdown following a Hopkins catch to the half-yard line, frustration sparked for Ravens fans. But three plays into the Browns first second-half drive, Wiggins picked off Flacco and ran it 61 yards to give the red zone offense another shot. The takeaways are critical for this defense and Wiggins has his career second, both against the Browns.
WR DeAndre Hopkins – He’s exactly what the Ravens need. A veteran receiver who can make the impossible possible. Hopkins ended the day with...
