Sick of losing to Baltimore? Time for Browns to change that? Terry Pluto’s Pregame Scribbles

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Baltimore coach John Harbaugh has a 23-4 record against the Browns, and QB Lamar Jackson is 5-1 as a starter. Baker Mayfield is 2-5 vs. Baltimore. With that in mind, here are scribbles in my notebook as the Browns have their rematch with Baltimore.

1. The 16-10 loss two weeks ago gnawed at many in the Browns organization. The defense picked off Jackson four times. The previous 37 times a QB had thrown at least four interceptions, he lost, according to ESPN. The Browns broke that streak.

2. In that game, the speed added to the defense was apparent. Rookies Greg Newsome II and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (JOK) along with second-year player Grant Delpit have been terrific additions. When defensive coordinator Joe Woods cleaned up the complicated pass coverage schemes several weeks ago, veteran backs Troy Hill and John Johnson III began to play as they did for the Rams last season.

3. This is a defense that is set up to keep Jackson and the Ravens from flying away. They have allowed 16 or fewer points in six of the last seven games – including all three AFC North opponents. The Ravens have dealt with massive injuries. Jackson has been picked off eight times in his last four games, compared to three TD passes. He has been sacked an NFL-high 37 times.

4. “If everyone runs to the ball like we did last time, we’ll be just fine,” said Johnson. “It’s forcing (Jackson) to drop back and throw the ball. ... I would not say he’s forcing [passes], but you want him to throw the ball into those tight windows.”

5. Johnson makes the defensive calls from the safety position. He was saying the Browns must keep Jackson in the pocket like a traditional drop-back QB. Johnson added that all four of Jackson’s interceptions came on throws to tight end Mark Andrews, his favorite target. Three of the interceptions were by Browns safeties.

6. Johnson praised Jackson for being “electric with the ball in his hands.” The only TD vs. the Browns was a wild scramble where Jackson seemed to out-run the entire defense and then hit Andrews in the end zone from 13 yards out. It was simply a great athletic play. The other nine Baltimore points came on Justin Tucker field goals.

7. JOK was drafted for games like this, as Johnson explained: “He looks like a blur flying across the field. He was easily the fastest guy on tape. To take away an electric player like Lamar, you need a player like that just roaming sideline to sideline.”

8. But Myles Garrett said this Friday about whether he had seen the team’s sense of urgency: “Not as much as I wanted to, but we still got another two days. Guys will sharpen up and we’ve got leaders that are on this team who will make them get prepared and get ready for Sunday. But when the time comes, we need everybody on their P’s and Q’s and ready because it’s win or go home right now.”

9. Was Garrett completely sincere, or challenging the team? Hard to know, but he saw something in practice that bothered him: “I think we all have to look in the mirror and say obviously if we don’t win this one, there won’t be any postseason for us.”

10. Garrett is right. It would not be impossible for a 6-7 Browns team to make the playoffs. But if that happens, can anyone imagine them winning their final four games? It appears 10 victories is the minimum for a playoff spot.

11. That brings me back to the defense, because they may be the ones needed to win this game. Baltimore has scored fewer than 20 points in six of its last seven games. But the Browns are in the same situation, having scored 17 or fewer points in six of their last seven.

12. The defense lost Newsome late in Friday’s practice to a concussion. That means Greedy Williams (who has played well) will start opposite Denzel Ward.

13. Meanwhile, three of Baltimore’s Week 1 starting defensive backs are hurt. In their 20-19 loss to Pittsburgh, they committed eight pre-snap penalties. The Ravens are 8-4, but only 3-3 (the same as the Browns) in their last six.

14. The Browns have to stay away from their own pre-snap penalties. They had four in the loss to Baltimore. Twice, the Browns had 12 men on the field. The coaches spent some time in Thursday’s press conferences trying to explain it. The bottom line was confusion and players either not paying attention ... or not understanding who was supposed to be on the field.

15. Little things -- like penalties -- can decide this game. Same with field goal kicking. Baltimore has Justin Tucker, one of the greatest kickers in NFL history. The Browns have Chase McLaughlin, who started strong but has struggled lately. McLaughlin missed a 46-yarder vs. the Ravens.

16. Special teams coach Mike Priefer on McLaughlin vs. the Ravens: “It (the missed kick) was not even windy. It was a nice night. A beautiful night. He knows he can’t miss that.”

17. McLaughlin got another chance at a 46 yarder later in the game. “He hit the upright, but he put it through,” said Priefer. “He hit a PAT (extra point) really well. ... He’s still young. I’m not making excuses for him, but this is really his first full year as a starter. ... He has to continue to get better ... [Baltimore] is not going to miss any [field goals]. We have to make ours.”

18. Prediction: In another weekend story, I wrote about Baker Mayfield and the offense. They will decide this game. Browns 20, Baltimore 16.

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