Ravens 41, Browns 17

I already went into 2025 not having high expectations for the Browns. I knew there would be games like this. But luckily for me, I was already in a good mood today, and was spending time with my girlfriend. I'm no doctor, but I do not recommend enduring bad Browns losses alone.

But there's no way around this one: The Browns got SHELLACKED. What went wrong? What were the bright spots? And what should we expect going forward? Let's take a look.

The Good: Shutting down Derrick Henry

Arguably the one lone bright spot in this game was the Browns run defense. I initially was worried when Browns safety Grant Delpit gave the Ravens a little bulletin board material when he spouted off that tackling Derrick Henry wouldn't be too hard.

Apparently he was right, as the Browns held Henry to just 23 rushing yards, and held the Ravens to just 45 yards on the ground. But that's where the bright spots end for Cleveland. This one was rough.

The Bad: Joe Flacco's forced interception

I like Joe Flacco as a person. I do. He seems like an awesome guy. And I do think he's the best we can do in terms of quarterback until we draft another rookie in '26 or '27.

But I do not understand why he wouldn't just throw the ball away with the Browns down 13-3, and needing to generate some kind of momentum while the game was still somewhat up for grabs.

But instead, Joe tried to force a throw that was nowhere close to the nearest receiver, and ended up paying for it when Nate Wiggins intercepted it and returned it 61 yards before Baltimore punched it in to make it 20-3, and essentially made the Browns fight an uphill battle.

I know people make mistakes. Joe's human like the rest of us. He makes mistakes. But that was one that wasn't forced by anyone else but him. He's been in the league for 18 years. He knows better. Even though that interception wasn't a turning point, it seemed like just a bonehead move for someone who's been such a solid, great quarterback throughout his career. He won a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens back in his prime. I don't know what he was thinking there. That one shocked me.

The Ugly: Lamar Jackson goes OFF.

I don't know when he'll retire in the future. But when Lamar Jackson finally does hang it up, I'll be celebrating. Ben Roethlisberger tortured the Browns the most during his career, but Lamar Jackson doesn't seem too far behind if he keeps this up.

The Browns did sack Lamar three times, but he still managed to go 19-29 for 225 yards, while throwing four touchdowns. And I saw at least 3-4 plays where he either extended things and got a first down, or he burnt the Browns for a touchdown. It's absolutely infuriating losing to him. Cleveland's only beaten him twice that I can remember. 2019 in a blowout at Baltimore, and 2023, when the Browns rallied from a 24-9 deficit, also at Baltimore.

But I have a feeling by the time he's done playing, Jackson will have cemented himself as one of the Browns' most frustrating opponents. I just don't know why our defense is so bad against him. It irritates me like you would not believe!

But I need to cool off and enjoy the rest of my Sunday. The Browns have Green Bay next week at home, but until then, I recommend you guys find something to help you cool off and enjoy the rest of your day too. Hang in there, Dawg Pound. Go Browns!

Statistical Leaders

Joe Flacco: 25-45, 199 yards, TD, INT.

Quinshon Judkins, 10 carries, 61 yards

Jerry Jeudy: 4 receptions, 51 yards

Source

ESPN

Picture Credit

newsweek.com