Buzzbin Editor-in-Chief Mike Nasvadi summed up the Sunday’s Browns game perfectly when he asked, “did I turn on the Ray Rice Show,” as the Ravens’ running back went on to pile up 204 yards on the ground in Baltimore’s 24 to 10 defeat over the miserable Browns.
There was really no positives to pull for this game if you’re a Browns fans. Quarterback Colt McCoy completed 17 passes out of 35 for 192 yards, a touchdown and an interception, while in his second game back RB Peyton Hillis picked up 45 rushing yards on 12 carries. Hillis also lead all receivers with 52 yards, which all came on one play.
Unfortunately, even after the long completion the Browns failed to reach the end zone, despite being well within striking distance.
Tight end Benjamin Watson followed Hillis with the most reception yards, catching three passes for 34 yards, while Jordan Norwood also pulled in three for 29 yards.
The Browns only touchdown on the day came on a 22 yard pass from McCoy to tight end Evan Moore, which came in the fourth quarter. Other than those few plays the Browns offense did about nothing. No joke, nada.
What was really surprising was how poor the defense played. Coming into the game they were ranked in the top 10 in the league overall, but the Ravens’ offensive line proved to much for them, establishing massive running lanes for the 5’8 Rice to scamper through. Stoner, errrr Ravens running back Rickie Williams also contributed for his team, picking up 76 yards on 16 carries, while Baltimore QB Joe Flacco went 10 out of 23 for 158 yards.
If this game was a measuring stick to see how close the Browns are to being able to compete with a perennial playoff team then they are even further away from putting together a contender than anyone thought.
As Editor-in-Chief Nasvadi so pointedly said, “this is pretty much just pre-season again, none of this matters.” He hit that right on the head, the Browns front office is just using this time now to see who they can cut and who will make the grade come the post season.
The only advice to give now Browns fans is to keep calm and carry on. Godspeed.