Baltimore Ravens: 3 game balls in win over Cleveland Browns

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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 22: L.J. Fort #58 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after making a tackle on a kick off during the fourth quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore defeated Cleveland 31-15. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

3. The entire defense

The Ravens defensive players are all going to have to share a game ball here. The last game against the Browns may have been the worst defensive performance in Ravens history. This game was a big revenge game and it was the defense that needed to get that revenge. The Ravens’ defense get a game ball for several reasons. First, they were able to hold Nick Chubb under 50 yards. They let him run wild earlier in the season. This was a huge improvement, especially considering the success that a few running backs have had against the Ravens down the stretch. The biggest positive of this game is that the Ravens were able to slow down an elite running back.

Neither Jarvis Landry or Odell Beckham Jr. had a 100 yard game. Landry had the best day for the Browns with seven catches and 74 yards. He was contained for the most part, he was going to get his receptions. Beckham Jr. had a touchdown but only had 44 yards to go with it. Marlon Humphrey had an interception and L.J. Fort should have had two of them and they got called back. Mayfield had 192 yards on the day. The Ravens held a star running back under 50 yards and the Browns’ quarterback under 200. That’s an effort from this defense that should be applauded.

dark. Next. Ravens beat Browns: The good, bad and the ugly

The Ravens beat the Browns and in doing so got revenge. The defense has a different looking roster than the last game. There are some new faces and the improvements have made a difference. This game had to feel good for a the defensive players who reached such a low in the first battle with the Browns. The Browns have talent on their offense. They have match up problems for the Ravens and the defense had some early struggles addressing that. Don Martindale’s unit tightened up and the result was a good margin of victory.