LET’S GIVE THE BROWNS THEIR DUE

By STEVE KING

Some of the local Baltimore websites viewed Sunday’s game between the Browns and Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium through a predictably narrow lens.

The theme of the various pieces was that the Browns won 40-25 simply because the Ravens played so poorly.

No, it was not that at all. The Browns crushed the Ravens in the second half en route to the lopsided win – it was, as you’ll recall, 40-18 before their reserves gave a throwaway touchdown in the final minute – because they are the better team and they played like it. They are now tied with Baltimore for first place in the AFC North at 2-2 because they earned it

The Ravens came into the game having beaten the likes of the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals, the two worst teams in the NFL, and then losing to one of the best clubs in Kansas City. The difference in that last game was just five points, but it should be noted that the Chiefs blew out to a big halftime lead before taking their foot off the gas, allowing that advantage to disappear.

So, then, when the Ravens have faced good teams this season, they’ve been outclassed in one half or the other and couldn’t catch up. That’s the gist of it. Wins over the Dolphins and Cardinals hardly count for much. It’s like a college team beating a tiny “directional” school. It doesn’t impress anyone. People on the outside see it for what it is.

The Browns won because they have better players, even with some key ones being hurt. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said as much. He said way back in the spring that the Browns were the most talented team in the division. He corrected that in the days leading up to the game, saying that it was from an offseason perspective and that there is a different assessment done when the regular season begins. He’s right.

And those games have started, and the Browns proved on Sunday that they are not only still the most talented team in the North, but also probably the best.