Ravens studs and duds from Week 14 loss against Browns

Sunday’s game was doomed from the moment Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson exited the game.

In Week 14, Baltimore fell 24-22 to a surprisingly robust Cleveland Browns team, and despite an incredible second half, the Ravens couldn’t complete the comeback without their quarterback star.

In Jackson’s place, Tyler Huntley posted a respectable stat line completing 27-of-38 passes for 270 yards and one touchdown along with 45 rushing yards.

Huntley did record two fumbles that turned into tide-turning turnovers, but he also led a fourth-quarter touchdown drive to get the Ravens within two points of tying the game.

With due respect to Baker Mayfield and the Browns, the score should not have been this close. Cleveland was up 24-6 at halftime, and Baltimore only got on the scoreboard early due to a certain kicker.

At the very least, this Week 14 matchup was more exciting than the other sludgy Ravens games we’ve seen.

Here are the studs and duds from Sunday’s loss to Cleveland.

1. Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens

Another crucial game, another crazy performance from Mark Andrews. The Ravens tight end finished with 11 catches (on 11 targets!) for 115 yards and one touchdown.

Andrews also broke the franchise record for the most receiving yards by a tight end in a single season — so that’s pretty cool.

He’s been Mr. Reliable from the start, and he’ll continue serving a crucial role in this offense

2. The Ravens’ run defense

Somehow, the Ravens’ run defense stopped Cleveland’s rushing offense. Again.

The run-heavy Browns came prepared with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in the backfield, but Chubb only recorded 17 carries for 59 yards while Hunt had two carries for five yards.

Baltimore managed to stop Cleveland from scoring on the ground, which helped them win before. This time, the Ravens needed more than just defense to secure the game, but high praise for the Ravens’ linebacker unit and all those who helped stop the run.

3. Justin Tucker, K, Ravens

Automatic. Tucker made all three of his field goals and one extra point. That’s all there is to say.

Tucker’s longest made field goal was 55 yards, and he made it look like a piece of cake.

In the fourth quarter, he also initiated the onside kick that was eventually recovered by Chuck Clark, giving the Ravens one last gasp to stage a comeback.

4. Anthony Averett, CB, Ravens

The Ravens secondary as a whole did not play a good game, but Anthony Averett stepped up admirably in Marlon Humphrey’s absence.

Averett was called for a pass interference penalty in the first half, but he also nabbed the Ravens’ sole interception of the game.

No one knows how long this Ravens defense will hold itself together, but for now, Anthony Averett looks like he could secure a permanent position in the defensive backfield.

5. The Ravens’ secondary

Marlon Humphrey is out for the season, and the Ravens’ secondary is hurting. Badly. In the first half, Baker Mayfield made quick work driving down the field and finding his receivers in open space.

On Cleveland’s first touchdown, cornerback Tavon Young had a lapse in coverage, allowing Jarvis Landry to get open and easily run into the red zone.

The Ravens gave up too many pass interference penalties, too — one, in particular, was Tavon Young grabbing onto tight end Austin Hooper in the second quarter to give Cleveland a fresh down in the end zone.

6. The Ravens’ offensive line

If the Ravens secondary was missing Humphrey, their offensive line misses Ronnie Stanley.

Alejandro Villanueva struggled the most: he was called for multiple holding penalties and allowed the sack that forced a fumble leading to a Browns touchdown.

Tyre Phillips didn’t play much better at right tackle, and Baltimore’s offensive line issues continued to plague the team all game. Cleveland can boast one of the best pass-rushing units in the league, but Baltimore’s starting tackles must do better.

After this Ravens loss, if the Cincinnati Bengals beat the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night, the Bengals will jump into first in the AFC North.

There was only so much Tyler Huntley could do under center, and it goes without saying that Baltimore will need Lamar Jackson back as soon as he’s healthy.

The Ravens suffered a deserved defeat against Cleveland in Week 14, but they showed now quit. Onto the next.