BALTIMORE _ The Cleveland Browns arrived at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday with one of the NFL's more disappointing offenses. Turns out, all they needed was an afternoon against the Ravens defense.
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield went 20-for-30 for 342 yards, one touchdown and an interception, running back Nick Chubb rushed 20 times for 165 yards and three touchdowns, and receiver Jarvis Landry had eight catches for 167 yards to lead Cleveland to a comfortable 40-25 win at M&T Bank Stadium and a tie for first place in the AFC North. The meeting was the teams' first since Week 17 last season, when the Ravens secured their first division title since 2012.
The Ravens (2-2), who finished last season with the NFL's top-ranked defense, allowed 530 yards against an offense that entered Week 4 averaging just 333 yards per game. The loss continued a humbling trend against young quarterbacks: The previous two weeks, the Ravens also allowed 349 passing yards to Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and 374 to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
In Mayfield's second start against fellow second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson, he left no doubt over who had the better afternoon. Jackson was 20-for-30 for 153 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, in addition to nine carries for 66 yards. Running back Mark Ingram II was again solid on the ground, rushing 12 times for 71 yards. Willie Snead IV was the Ravens' leading receiver, finishing with two catches for 61 yards.
But at the season's quarter-way mark, it's the Ravens defense that has the most issues. The team was again disorganized in the secondary, which is missing starting outside cornerback Jimmy Smith and slot cornerback Tavon Young. The Ravens, who were also without starting defensive tackle Brandon Williams, missed tackles in the open field. Chubb all but put the game away with an 88-yard touchdown sprint in the fourth quarter that pushed Cleveland's lead to 30-18.
According to data from Pro Football Reference, Chubb is the first player to record 150-plus rushing yards and three or more rushing touchdowns in a single game against the Ravens.
It marked just the 13th time in Ravens history that they allowed 40 or more points and just the 11th time they've allowed 500 or more yards. Before Sunday, the last time they allowed 40 points or more at home was a 41-7 loss to the New England Patriots on Dec. 22, 2013.
With the win, Cleveland has two wins in three games against the Ravens for the first time since 2007. The Ravens will head to Pittsburgh on Sunday for their second straight AFC North game.
