The Baltimore Ravens had an opportunity to cement themselves as top contenders in the AFC during their Week 8 showdown, but instead, they found themselves on the wrong side of a 29-24 upset by the Cleveland Browns. This game raised eyebrows and stirred conversations, especially considering the Browns had been struggling, entering the matchup with a five-game losing streak and starting backup quarterback Jameis Winston. For Ravens fans and analysts, the main question echoes: what exactly went wrong?

The Ravens’ defensive struggles came to the forefront again. Coming into the game with a shaky pass defense, ranked last in the league in passing yards allowed, they couldn’t correct their course against the Browns.

Their inability to defend on third downs was glaring. Even with Lamar Jackson working his magic to keep them in contention, the Ravens couldn’t overcome their defensive mishaps and a series of errors across the board.

This loss not only stings but also sparks concern about Baltimore’s legitimacy as a true contender given the repetitive nature of their issues.

Let’s delve into the standout performances, or lack thereof, in the Ravens’ Week 8 matchup against the Browns.

Winner:

Lamar Jackson

Once again, Lamar Jackson stands out as the beacon of hope for the Ravens. This isn’t a plot twist—it’s expected.

Jackson delivered a solid performance, completing 23 passes for 289 yards with two touchdowns, and added 46 rushing yards on eight carries. Despite his efforts, one errant throw to Zay Flowers aside, Jackson’s heroics weren’t enough to elevate the team to victory.

The Ravens’ offensive scheme runs through him, but there’s only so much Jackson can do alone. His contributions highlight the necessity of surrounding him with consistent help, reminiscent of why the team acquired Derrick Henry.

In critical moments, the burden of carrying the team can’t rest solely on his shoulders.

Losers:

Anyone on the Ravens with Hands

Ball security was not in the Ravens’ vocabulary in this loss. Across the board, the team was plagued by drops.

Offensive players like Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor struggled to maintain grip, contributing to the offensive woes. On defense, opportunities were lost as well.

Most notably, Kyle Hamilton was primed to clinch the game with an interception, only to let it slip through his fingers. Eddie Jackson followed suit, missing out on multiple interception opportunities.

It’s a simple truth in football: you can’t win if you don’t hold onto the ball.

Ravens’ Third-Down Defense

The Ravens’ inability to stop opponents on third down continues to haunt them, proving costly once again. Over the last three games, they hold the unfortunate distinction of having the league’s worst third-down defense, allowing conversions at over 53%.

Facing the Browns, a team notoriously ineffective on third downs, the Ravens allowed eight conversions out of 15 attempts. This struggle left their defense on the field for 66 plays—an endurance test that exposed them to fatigue and compounded issues witnessed during the game.

Six-Game Winning Streaks

The Ravens have known the high of stringing together wins. Entering the Cleveland game, they were on a five-game tear and tasted hope of pushing it to six—something the franchise has achieved just thrice before in its history. However, the streak came to an abrupt halt with this defeat, pulling the plug on momentum they desperately needed to maintain.

Zach Orr

For Ravens’ defensive coordinator Zach Orr, the job is increasingly under pressure. Transition periods are part of football, but the rapid decline from last season’s top defense to now the most porous pass defense in the league is staggering.

The Ravens are bleeding yardage, conceding an average of 291.4 passing yards per game, a figure that’s the highest in the league. Located miles away from an acceptable threshold and with league defenses already on notice, Orr’s unit must rebound promptly; the clock for excuses has long since expired, and immediate improvements are necessary.

In summary, the Ravens’ loss to the Browns is one that stirs reflection and calls for quick corrections. The fixes need to happen fast if this team wants to be seen as formidable in the AFC’s competitive landscape.