Cleveland Browns receiver Jerry Jeudy faced some unforeseen challenges against the Baltimore Ravens‘ defense on Sunday.
Ahead of the matchup, Jeudy said he saw “no challenges” facing the Ravens’ secondary. He also called the double-digit spread for the game “disrespectful.”
The Browns had more than a few issues in a 41-17 loss. Cleveland turned the ball over twice, resulting in two Baltimore touchdowns. Jeudy caught just four of eight targets for 51 yards and had a hard time getting open.
After the game, Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith addressed Jeudy’s pre-game comments.
“That’s what he chose to say with his mouth. At the end of the day, it’s about what you do on the field. Talking don’t win you anything,” Smith said. “It’s about how you come out and play. Hats off to him for having his opinion. This is America. Freedom of speech.”
Smith was a monster against the Browns. He had 15 tackles, three for a loss, and returned a fumble 63 yards for a score in the fourth quarter.
“It took me back to my high school days playing running back,” Smith said. “I reaped the reward of being that close to the ball and just had to do a little sprint.”
Browns Star Myles Garrett Embarrassed by Lopsided Loss
Cleveland’s defense kept the Ravens in check for most of the day, but the fourth quarter turned into a breaking point with little help from the offense. Even so, Baltimore managed just 242 yards of total offense and its usually punishing ground game was stifled to 45 yards on 2.1 yards per rush.
After the game, Myles Garrett — who had 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss — didn’t hold back.
“[Expletive] embarrassing,” Garrett said after the game. “We got to be better on defense. We got to be better as a team. They slowly chipped away and we did a solid job, holding them to three when we could, and then eventually the dam broke and they just did whatever they wanted, and we have to continue to play a 60-minute game.”
Browns Face Questions at Quarterback
The Browns’ defense hasn’t been the issue — it’s the offense that has struggled to generate consistent output. Joe Flacco, 40, has started the first two games but has managed just two touchdowns against three interceptions. He also fumbled the ball that Smith returned for a score.
Known for his gunslinger mentality, Flacco has looked hesitant to push the ball downfield, leaving Cleveland without the explosive plays it desperately needs. The Browns pulled Flacco in the fourth quarter against the Ravens, inserting rookie Dillon Gabriel with the score 41-10.
While it was a different set of circumstances with the game out of hand, Gabriel did well. He completed all three of his passes for 20 yards and a touchdown. However, the Browns don’t sound like they’ll be making a quarterback change.
“I don’t think it’s fair to talk about that right now,” Stefanski said when asked about benching Flacco for Gabriel. “We win as a team, we lose as a team.”
The Browns face the 2-0 Green Bay Packers at home next week, looking to avoid a 0-3 hole. Cleveland has lost eight straight, dating back to last season.
Ravens Star Had Strong Words for Browns WR Jerry Jeudy After Beatdown