AFC North Power Rankings: Ravens still have something to prove
By Rémy Cabache
3. Cleveland Browns, 6-6, fourth in AFC North
I don’t think anyone can honestly say they expected the Browns to be in the position they are in right now.
Nevertheless, here they are.
Baker Mayfield has not played well over the course of the season, but that is particularly the case now as he tries to battle through a myriad of injuries.
His injuries leave him unable to throw the ball as he usually would and they diminish his ability to escape pressure and create outside of the pocket.
Sunday night’s loss to the Ravens highlighted how dependent the Browns are on their ground game and getting ahead. Baltimore held Cleveland to just 40 yards rushing on 17 attempts and watched as Mayfield completed just 18-of-37 passes.
Their offensive struggles left the Browns unable to convert on third and fourth down, a combined 4/14, and a missed field goal only added insult to injury.
The defense is nasty, led by Myles Garrett, but even their four interceptions of Lamar Jackson weren’t enough for the team to take advantage of — they scored just three points off turnovers.
This is a talented team, but Kevin Stefanski has his work cut out to keep a descending team in the playoff hunt.