The anguish of losing a crucial AFC North game hit the Ravens as Cleveland’s game-winning field goal flew through the uprights.

At M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens, trailing by 14 points early in the fourth quarter, gave up 16 consecutive points to the Cleveland Browns and lost 33-31. The Browns (6-3) are now within one game of the Ravens (7-3) in the NFL’s most competitive division after Baltimore’s four-game winning streak was broken.

Here are my views following a disheartening loss for the Ravens, who will visit the Bengals (5-4) on Thursday Night Football in a short week:

Fourth-quarter lead protection is still a problem.

If every game for the Ravens ended after the third quarter, they would be 10-0 this season.

They were leading all three of their losses going into the fourth quarter, but against the Browns, their problems in the fourth quarter reappeared. Deshaun Watson, the quarterback, had an outstanding day as Cleveland crushed the Ravens for 178 yards rushing. Watson made crucial throws and scrambles to keep drives going. Watson left his mark on this game and was the driving force behind the comeback, even though he did not participate in Week 4 when the Ravens triumphed in Cleveland (20 for 34, 213 yards, one touchdown, one interception, 37 yards rushing).

When the game was on the line, Baltimore’s defense fell short in a contest between the best units in the league. After two 75-yard touchdown drives and a 58-yard drive that culminated in Dustin Hopkins’ game-winning 40-yard field goal with seconds remaining, Cleveland’s three second-half possessions were all successful.

With 11:34 left, Gus Edwards’ 1-yard touchdown run gave the Ravens a 31-17 lead, and it appeared as though Baltimore would easily win for the fifth time in a row. However, the Browns freely moved the ball. They responded to Edwards’ score with a 75-yard touchdown drive. Later, they added a defensive touchdown when Greg Newsome returned a Lamar Jackson pass 34 yards for a touchdown after Ogbo Okoronkwo deflected it into his arms.

After that, the score was 31–30. Hopkins missed the extra point, but the Browns were now in the lead and the Ravens were unable to stop them. Given that Baltimore’s defense takes pleasure in being among the best in the NFL, it felt insulting to give up large chunks of yardage to the Browns in crucial circumstances.

The loss was undoubtedly one that wasn’t supposed to happen, according to defensive tackle Justin Madubuike. “But every week you’re supposed to come bring your best and we didn’t do that today, so we’ve got to get better.”

Baltimore’s Attack Is Still Seeking Uniformity

Are the Ravens equipped with a versatile attack that can score quickly? Sure.

After ten games, do they have the attacking consistency they want? Nope.

The Ravens’ defense needed a break in the fourth quarter, but they failed to move the ball efficiently on three of their final four possessions. James Proche II, a former wide receiver with the Ravens, gave the team a gift when he mishandled a punt on Cleveland’s 12-yard line, setting up Baltimore’s winning touchdown.

Having led the NFL in rushing heading into the game, the Ravens don’t need to rely as much on their ground-and-pound attack as they have in previous seasons. Baltimore is now more capable of generating big plays because to the addition of more playmakers and the way offensive coordinator Todd Monken is using them.

The first two offensive touchdowns for Baltimore came on big plays: Keaton Mitchell’s 39-yard run and Jackson’s 40-yard toss to Odell Beckham Jr.

Mitchell poses a threat to take it to the house once he enters space. When he turns the corner, you can practically feel the backdraft, and he can accelerate to full speed in an instant.

The offensive performance was shaky, though. The offense was limited to 303 yards overall, Jackson threw two interceptions, and the team failed to seal the victory in the fourth quarter.

Mark Andrews, a tight end, stated, “These are the kinds of games you have to win, you have to be great at, and everybody has to lock in.” “It’s game over when the fourth quarter rolls around, regardless of what transpires in the first and third quarters.

“We were in charge of the match. We had numerous opportunities to win this match.”

Accidents May Be a Serious Problem

Starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee) and Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey (ankle) exited the game and did not come back. Kevin Zeitler, the starting right guard, staggered off the field late in the game and did not come back.

The Ravens were as healthy going into the game as they had been all season, but they were anything but when it was over. The week leading up to Thursday’s game will be shorter for any injured player, and the Bengals’ Joe Burrow-led passing attack will be without Humphrey for the Ravens.

Brandon Stephens, the cornerback, stated that Marlon was an important member of the defense. “But it’s next man has to step up, regardless of who’s in there.”

The AFC North Plot Gets Thicker

The Bengals (5-4) are still in the running even after losing on Sunday, and the Browns (6-3) and Steelers (6-3) are closing in on the Ravens.

Starting with the game against the Bengals on Thursday night, the AFC North race is sure to be exciting to the very end. After a brief week, it will be interesting to watch which club bounces back the best as both will be coming off difficult losses.

The Ravens will drop from being regarded as the league’s best team to second place in the division if they lose.

Head coach John Harbaugh stated, “I thought we played hard, we fought, we competed, but we did not play well enough.” “We didn’t play the winning football that we needed to win that kind of game. We need to move on from it. The NFL season is lengthy; you do lose games like these as well as games like this one. On Thursday night, we must recover and play our best football.”