The Cleveland Browns were their own worst enemy in the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals last weekend, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory due to special teams blunders and pass-catching errors that led to missed opportunities and turnovers.
Cleveland must now shake off the bad vibes from a Week 1 game that got away as it heads east to square off against the Baltimore Ravens, one of the AFC’s most talented teams that is also coming off of a blown contest against the Buffalo Bills.
There are a handful of interesting angles heading into the matchup between the Browns and the Ravens in Week 2, though three stand out above the rest.
Browns RB Quinshon Judkins Active, How Much Will He Play and How Much Might That Matter?
GettyQuinshon Judkins.
While the quarterback competition was the A-storyline throughout the Browns‘ offseason, the clear B-story became the saga of rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, which began with a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in July.
Judkins’ legal issue rendered his status uncertain, even after the Florida court system dropped the charge against him in August. Judkins, whom the Browns drafted No. 36 overall, was the last player in the class to sign his rookie deal — doing so just one day prior to the team’s season opener.
He missed Week 1 before meeting with the league last week, as a suspension from the NFL may still be coming. However, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Saturday that Judkins will play in Baltimore.
#Browns Quinshon Judkins (questionable) is expected to make his NFL debut Sunday vs. #Ravens, per sources,” Fowler wrote.
Cleveland struggled to run the football against the Bengals, one of the league’s weaker defenses, in Week 1. The Browns finished the game with just 49 rushing yards on 24 carries, and this is where Judkins can help most.
“His physicality, his contact balance, the way he runs with strength is something I’ve seen in Nick [Chubb] as an example,” Browns assistant GM Catherine Hickman said. “This style of play is just going to fit very nicely with what we’re trying to do.”
Cleveland must establish a viable rush attack against Baltimore to keep QB Lamar Jackson off the field. The Ravens scored 40 points in their loss to the Bills, and marooning Jackson on the sideline as long as possible gives Cleveland its best chance to compete.
The Browns featured rookie Dylan Sampson far more against the Bengals than veteran Jerome Ford, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if Judkins also surpasses Ford in usage in his NFL debut.
Cleveland’s Disastrous Kicking Game Can’t Have a Repeat of Week 1
GettyCleveland Browns kicker Andre Szmyt.
For all the mistakes the Browns made in Week 1, including multiple drops that turned into two Bengals‘ interceptions, Cleveland would have won the game if not for the failures of kicker Andre Szmyt.
Szmyt missed an extra point on the Browns‘ first scoring drive of the second half, which left Cleveland up 16-14 rather than 17-14. He then missed a 36-yard, chip-shot field goal wide right with a little more than two minutes remaining in the game.
It was Szmyt’s first NFL start after catching on with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted rookie in 2023. He won the job in Cleveland during the preseason over Dustin Hopkins but couldn’t deliver against Cincinnati.
Browns special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone voiced confidence in Szmyt late in the week.
“He’s done a really good job since he’s been here, from the end of last year on practice squad, from April all the way until this point,” Ventrone said. “So we have a lot of confidence in him. Had a good practice yesterday. I have confidence that he’s going to get it right.”
The Ravens are a different beast than the Bengals, and the Browns won’t be able to afford any mistakes on special teams if they hope to capture a road victory against the defending AFC North division champs. Beyond that, if Szmyt struggles again, it might not be long before the coaching staff loses the confidence it purports to have in the kicker and looks elsewhere for a solution.
Can Browns Defense Show Up Against Ravens Like It Did vs. Bengals?
GettyCleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.
Cleveland’s offense was generally passable in the opener, largely due to the steadiness of veteran QB Joe Flacco across 45 pass attempts. However, it was the defense that kept the team in the game.
The Browns held the high-powered Bengals‘ pass attack to 113 yards and one TD through the air. That is quite the accomplishment considering that Cincinnati has spent over $550 million total on contract extensions for QB Joe Burrow and receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins over the past couple of years.
Cleveland was also stout against the run game, affording Cincinnati just 46 total ground yards on 23 carries.
That said, the Browns will be on the road against Baltimore and facing a much more formidable rushing attack that combines Jackson’s mobility as a quarterback (something Burrow doesn’t possess) with one of the best running backs in football in Derrick Henry.
The Ravens rushed for 238 yards against Buffalo last week while Jackson was highly efficient as a passer, completing 14-of-19 attempts for 209 yards and two scores.
Cleveland produced eight tackles for loss, three sacks and five pass breakups against the Bengals and will need to pressure Jackson similarly if they hope to achieve success in Baltimore Sunday. The Browns are also relying on multiple rookies starting at important position on defense, so backing up what they proved in Week 1 will be crucial to Cleveland’s hopes for this season moving forward.
Browns vs. Ravens: 3 Storylines to Watch in Week 2