Ravens 15, Browns 14
This was better. This was progress. This was frustrating as heck.
Two weeks of bad football were erased with the best half the Browns have played in years. In the first 30 minutes, the Browns defense was aggressive, and the offense showed signs of life. Charlie Frye was unstoppable in the second quarter, and Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow made catches and played like stars.
At halftime, it was 14-3. I talked to two Panel members during the break, and we dared hope a win -- an upset win --was in the team's grasp.
It still was with five minutes to go and the Browns up 14-12. The Browns drove 75 yards and looked to be going in for a game-clinching --oh wait, this is Cleveland --err, game-improving touchdown.
Then Charlie Frye was intercepted in the end zone. What followed was simply a formality. Here are some random thoughts.
* Much better defense against the run. Ted Washington played his best game, and Jamal Lewis was a non-factor for most of the game.
* Derrick Mason was the Ravens' MVP, making several stunning grabs.
* Still no running game to speak of for the Browns.
* I'm still not sure if the Browns are that improved, or if the Ravens are overrated.
* Kellen Winslow continues to be the best thing the Browns have got going right now. He was one broken tackle from a TD in the fourth quarter.
* I think the Browns need to call a veteran QB to back up Charlie Frye. As great as Frye played, he's been running for his life for three weeks, and he can't avoid injury forever. And is anyone else scared at a Ken Dorsey-led offense?
* Good news and bad news. Good news is the Browns play the Raiders next week. Oakland has looked only slightly worse than Houston so far, but it has played two playoff teams. Oh, the bad news: the game comes after the Raiders' bye week. So this is the worst time all season to play them.