The Baltimore defense has had its issues this season, but the Ravens usually find a big play or a turnover when it counts.
Last weekend, however, safety Kyle Hamilton missed what seemed like a sure interception in the closing moments against Cleveland. The Browns took advantage of this mistake, scoring the winning touchdown with less than a minute left, resulting in a 29-24 victory.
Cleveland, which hadn’t scored 20 points in any game this season, reached that mark before the end of the third quarter and finished with 401 yards.
“We’re there, and I think we could make more plays. I know we can,” coach John Harbaugh said Monday. “And I believe our guys are going to do it.”
The Ravens (5-3) are allowing 361 yards a game, an increase from 301 last season. Baltimore has eight takeaways this season, which isn’t a large number, but some have come at key moments.
An interception by Marlon Humphrey late in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati helped the Ravens push the game into overtime, which they eventually won.
Tampa Bay was also moving the ball well against Baltimore before Humphrey’s interception in the end zone helped the Ravens take charge of that game.
A fumble recovery late in the first half against the Browns led to a touchdown for Baltimore, but Sunday’s game will be remembered more for the turnovers the Ravens missed. According to Pro Football Focus, Baltimore has dropped eight interceptions this season, including three last weekend.
The loss to Cleveland showed that depending too much on turnovers from the other team isn’t a reliable strategy. The Ravens need to capitalize on chances when the opposing quarterback gives them an opportunity.
“There’s no big theory behind it, we’re just in a funk right now that we have to get out of,” said safety Eddie Jackson, who dropped two interceptions against the Browns. “Because a lot of those are big game-changing plays, if we make those.”
