Cleveland Browns' losing streak reaches four with 23-20 loss to Baltimore Ravens

BALTIMORE — The Browns and Ravens both needed Sunday's game at M&T Bank Stadium. And, in many ways, the game followed the script for both teams.

The Browns grabbed an early lead. The Ravens managed to have a double-digit lead in the second half. The Browns managed to give themselves a chance to win the game.

Ultimately, though, the mistakes Cleveland made helped prevent Baltimore from suffering its fourth loss after leading by double digits. Instead, the Browns suffered their fourth consecutive loss, a 23-20 defeat that dropped them to 2-5 for the season.

David Njoku injury:Tight end leaves Browns loss to Ravens with ankle injury

The Browns had a go-ahead touchdown negated with less than three minutes remaining when Amari Cooper was called for offensive pass interference after catching a 34-yard pass for a score. Then Cade York's 60-yard field goal attempt to tie the score was blocked by former Ohio State player Malik Harrison with 1:59 remaining.

Cleveland did get one last chance with 16 seconds left and the ball at its own 20. The game ended with a try for a lateral being fumbled by Donovan Peoples-Jones at the Browns 42.

The Browns now wait until next Monday night to play the Cincinnati Bengals in the final game before the bye. Cincinnati is tied with Baltimore for first place in the AFC North at 4-3.

Opening drive vs. Ravens a perfect script for Browns

The Browns' opening possession was the perfect script for getting off to a strong start. It started with getting Nick Chubb involved, and it ended with a touchdown.

Chubb touched the ball six times on the 11-play scoring drive, including the 2-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead. Included in that was a 14-yard screen pass on the second play.

Beyond that, quarterback Jacoby Brissett continued to connect with tight end David Njoku, with two catches netting 26 yards. Brissett, who kept the drive alive with a 1-yard quarterback sneak on fourth down at the Ravens 9, was 5-of-5 passing for 57 yards on the drive.

Browns bend but don't break on first two defensive series

Two of the first three Ravens possessions reached the red zone. Neither, though, ended in the end zone.

The first Baltimore drive, aided by a 31-yard diving catch by Devin Duvernay, reached the Cleveland 14. However, it ended there with a 32-yard field goal by Justin Tucker.

The third drive started at the Browns 21 after Duvernay's 46-yard punt return. It ended with Tucker's 34-yard field goal that pulled the Ravens to within 10-6 with 10:05 left in the first half.

Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney make presence felt early

Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett were together on the field for just the fourth game this season. Their presence was noticeable, as both were able to get into the Ravens backfield somewhat regularly.

That included the second Baltimore possession when Clowney was in Lamar Jackson's face on a first-down pass, and Garrett picked up a 7-yard loss on a sack of Jackson on the next play.

Amari Cooper deep pass sighting

The number of times Cooper has been able to get free deep and Brissett connect with him has been limited this season. It took to the first play of the second Browns possession for it to show up on Sunday.

Brissett dropped back and found Cooper wide open on a 55-yard gain to the Baltimore 20. It was one of two first-half catches for 63 net yards for Cooper.

That Browns drive ended in a 41-yard field goal by York for a 10-3 Cleveland lead.

Ravens big on third down to get the lead

The Ravens led 13-10 at halftime thanks to two big third-down conversions.

The first was a 26-yard catch and run by Rashod Bateman to the Ravens 45. On the play, safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. appeared to have a chance to tackle Bateman after the catch, but couldn't.

The second was a case of Jackson keeping a play alive with no open receivers. He took off and ran for 10 yards to the Browns 7.

On the next play, Gus Edwards ran it in for a Baltimore touchdown and a 13-10 lead.

Baltimore defense starts to get pressure, turnover

The Ravens defense started to turn up the heat on Brissett right before the half, and turned it into a turnover on the first Browns possession of the third quarter.

Justin Houston recorded back-to-back sacks of Brissett after the Browns reached the Ravens 40 with less than a minute in the second quarter. That pushed the Browns out of scoring range and they had to punt.

Baltimore picked things up in the third quarter, with Patrick Queen recording a sack on the Browns' first third-quarter play. On the next one, Calais Campbell got through and stripped the ball out of Brissett's hand, with Odafe Oweh recovering at the Cleveland 25.

That turnover was turned into Edwards' 1-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-goal with 7:39 left in the third quarter. That gave Baltimore a 20-10 lead.

David Njoku active on National Tight Ends Day, until he isn't

Did you know it was National Tight Ends Day? Njoku certainly did, which is why he remained heavily involved in the Browns' passing game.

Njoku was again the top target for Brissett against Baltimore. Of his first 19 attempts, seven were thrown Njoku's way.

The sixth-year tight end continued what has been a strong stretch since, essentially, the Pittsburgh game on Sept. 22. Njoku finished with seven catches for 71 yards, while also drawing a pass interference flag on Baltimore.

Njoku, though, wasn't able to finish the day. He left late in the third quarter with an ankle injury.

Nick Chubb comes to life to give Browns late life

Chubb had a hand in helping keep the Browns within striking distance in the fourth quarter. On the drive that pulled Cleveland within 23-20 with 9:00 left, the running back had three carries, each them for at least 12 yards.

Chubb had three carries for 46 yards on the drive, and finished the game with 91 yards on 16 carries.

Kareem Hunt capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah forces fumble to give Browns a chance

The Ravens appeared to be on their way to salting the game away when Jackson ran for a first down at the Browns 23. Two plays later, Cleveland had life.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah stripped the ball from Justice Hill and Isaiah Thomas recovered the fumble at the Browns 16. That opened the door, with Baltimore up 23-20 with 3:12 remaining.

Browns penalties on final drive costly

The Browns had two huge penalties that likely cost them a chance on their final drive.

Cooper was flagged for offensive pass interference on the potential go-ahead touchdown when he stuck his arm out and appeared to slightly push off the defender, negating the score.

Then, on fourth-and-5 from the Ravens 37, Michael Dunn was called for a false start after apparently taking a slight step backward before the snap. That made York's try a 60-yarder, and it was blocked.

Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.

On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns losing streak at four with loss to Ravens