The Ravens took a 10-0 halftime lead over the Browns, thanks to
a defense that allowed as many completions as it recorded sacks. Baltimore held Cleveland to 46 total yards, three first downs, and three completed passes, giving Tyler Huntley and the offense control despite a scoreless second quarter. Huntley’s 2-yard touchdown pass to rookie Josh Cuevas and Tyler Loop’s 34-yard field goal accounted for the scoring.Here are six takeaways from the first half in Cleveland.
Baltimore’s defense gave Deshaun Watson almost nothing
Watson completed 3 of 9 passes for 24 yards and took three sacks, leaving Cleveland with just 11 net passing yards. The Browns converted one of six third downs and punted five times.
The Ravens kept Cleveland from sustaining possessions, limited its rushing attack to 35 yards and entered
halftime with an 18:28 to 11:32 advantage in time of possession. According to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, Baltimore allowed three or fewer completions in the first half for the first time in five years.
Calais Campbell made history, and Keyon Martin made an impression
Campbell’s third-down sack was the 118th of his career. According to Ravens Communications, he became the third player to record a sack at age 40 or older since sacks became an official statistic in 1982, joining Bruce Smith and Clay Matthews.
Martin also recorded a sack and a pass breakup while working in the slot. His consecutive disruptive plays gave Baltimore contributions beyond its established defensive stars. Roquan Smith was credited with the Ravens’ other sack in the halftime statistics.
Huntley started efficiently, but the offense stalled
Huntley finished the half 14 of 21 for 107 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, adding 22 rushing yards. He protected possession and helped Baltimore score on its first two drives.
The Ravens followed those scores with four consecutive punts. Huntley was sacked twice, and Baltimore finished with 163 total yards. A defense playing this well gave the offense room to work through problems, but the Ravens left an opportunity to build a larger lead.
Josh Cuevas and Ja’Kobi Lane rewarded Declan Doyle’s trust
Cuevas caught both targets for 31 yards and his first career touchdown. His 29-yard reception also helped set up Loop’s field goal, giving the rookie a role in both scoring drives. Doyle even sent Cuevas into a route after lining him up at left guard.
Lane returned from injured reserve with three catches for 29 yards on four targets. He also delivered an early block that helped free Derrick Henry for a first down. Baltimore got immediate receiving and blocking contributions from a rookie playing his first game since Week 1.
The running game lost its early momentum
Baltimore rushed seven times for 39 yards on its opening drive, then managed 25 yards on its next eight attempts. Henry finished the half with 41 yards on 11 carries.
The Ravens opened with six offensive linemen and established a physical approach. Getting that production going again would help them finish drives and protect their lead instead of asking the defense to keep delivering stops.
Rashod Bateman is out
Bateman was listed as questionable to return with a shoulder injury after entering the week with the same issue. He caught no passes on one target before halftime and was ruled out.
Zay Flowers led Baltimore with four catches for 32 yards, including a 17-yard conversion on third-and-10. Lane and Cuevas had already contributed, giving Huntley alternatives with Bateman out.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens halftime takeaways: Defense smothers Browns and leads 10-0
