The Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens locked up in an AFC North “battle” in Week 6 of the 2026 NFL season. The home team’s offense was atrocious for most of the game, while the visitors made big plays when they needed them, especially on third downs, but points were at a premium heading into the fourth quarter.
A somewhat wild, somewhat boring game between two teams struggling with injuries ended with the Browns beating the Ravens 13-10 and taking first place in the AFC North.
Neither team played
well; injuries showed up in the overall performance
Sometimes, a 10-10 game in the 4th quarter is all about great defenses. Sometimes, it is just two teams struggling on offense. Week 6 was the latter, mostly, in a game where it was obvious how much talent was missing from the field.
Deshaun Watson isn’t quick enough
Whether it is quick decision-making on throws, quick cuts, quickly pulling the ball down to run, or quickly giving up on a play, Watson seems to be slow in everything he does. Even his running has seemed to slow down as the season has gone on. While the announcers said receivers weren’t getting open, it is also on Watson to throw players open, and he seems uncomfortable attempting to do that.
The offense’s problems were not all on him, but the quarterback lacking any anticipation and gumption to throw the ball takes everyone out of rhythm. Watson hitting his back foot and delivering, as he did to KC Concepcion in the 4th quarter, is what the team needs from him.
Line, backs, or system? Run game issues remain
With Quinshon Judkins, Raheim Sanders, and Dylan Sampson all out for the game, it is a bit hard to pinpoint the primary issue for Cleveland’s run game, but it continues to be a problem. The shotgun formation is a setup where the back can’t get any momentum and is limited to only a few run routes. The defense can then tee off on those routes. The line is getting pushed around a bit, and there is only so much you can expect from two running backs who were signed off the street and practice squads this season.
Give Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime credit, however
While the run game was lacking, McLaughlin and Estime made some important plays, including some key blocks in pass protection. In the 4th quarter, both new to the Browns backs had important rushes, including Estime’s game-tying run.
McLaughlin runs hard every play, fighting every tackler and pushing ahead with everything he has.
Predictably unpredictable on defense, especially on 3rd downs
The biggest difference between Mike Rutenberg’s defense and the one run by Jim Schwartz is his blitzing. The former defensive coordinator rarely did; the new one does in very creative ways. And, seemingly, on most third downs, which Baltimore knew were coming and took advantage of, especially on long third downs.
If the offense knows it is coming, even if where it is coming from is unpredictable, plays can be schemed up to protect the quarterback and/or have him on the move.
Jerry Jeudy redeeming himself and raising trade value
Just three catches for 36 yards before the 33-yard gain on 3rd and 5 late in the game, Jeudy made some big plays, including great hands on a throw behind him on a key play earlier in the 4th quarter. Jeudy also didn’t have a drop in the game. While none of that is eye-popping, Jeudy’s willingness to push through weeks of getting only a few targets but still coming up with big plays was huge for the team.
If GM Andrew Berry decides to trade the veteran receiver, as rumored, Week 6 was helpful for his value.
Cannot compete when you can’t convert third downs
Heading into the 4th quarter, this was true:
Teams cannot win if they cannot sustain drives.
The drive in the middle of the fourth quarter, the Browns converted a few key third downs, including a big play to Concepcion and a pass interference call.
Lack of consistency is not surprising for a young team, all-new HC/OC/DC
Why does Cleveland’s offense come alive in the fourth quarter? Why does the Browns defense look lost, then like one of the best in the NFL?
It is as simple as the young roster and having a first-time head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator. Young isn’t a bad thing, but the lack of experience at most of the important positions leads to the up-and-down swings we’ve seen this season.
Kickers are mostly inconsistent; it just depends on when and how often
With 3:40 left, Andre Szymt missed a 48-yard field goal that would have given Cleveland the lead. While kickers are making longer and longer kicks in the NFL, they remain “when,” not “if,” they could fail your team. Sometimes it happens multiple times during a season; other times a kicker will fall off a cliff and not be heard from again.
Hopefully, Szymt’s miss was just a miss, but most fans should not assume their kicker is going to make every kick. There are a couple of kickers each year that do, but the clock is sometimes just ticking before they miss as well.
Szymt got a chance to redeem himself and end the game from 37 yards out and came through.
