Did Kyle Hamilton’s dropped interception cost Baltimore the game against the Browns Sunday? Probably in that moment, it did. But there were two others left on the field by Eddie Jackson, which doesn’t even account for the tipped pass he got his right hand on but couldn’t reel in; two plays later Cleveland was in the end zone with the lead.

Ravens receivers added three more drops, each on third down of three separate series, the last of which hit Rashod Bateman in the face. Only one of those would not have resulted in a fresh set of downs, but it would have made the field goal attempt shorter. Instead, Justin Tucker lined it up from 50, which he missed.

On the Browns’ side of things, three picks were also dropped by the defense; PFF recorded just one, but if the ball hits a professional football player in both hands, he should catch it. The game was like watching a group of drunk toddlers wearing silk gloves trying to hold onto a greased duck.

Cleveland safety Juan Thornhill was their secondary’s lone contributor with a coverage grade above 60 (at 61.6). The unit did little that was worthy of congratulations, though some players and coaching staff personnel found the urge irresistible to do so anyway.

Following a second-and-14 where he committed a 29-yard pass interference penalty, Greg Newsome II, right on brand as the most unaware celebrator in football, made a tackle after a six and a half yard gain on a first down in the third quarter and felt that required him to preen demonstrably toward the sideline, as if a play resulting in a second-and-short is worth flexing over — when in fact that play is a win for the offense, and he doesn’t play for the offense.

The unwarranted exhibition was microcosmic of a Browns organization as a whole having no apparent comprehension of their surrounding landscape for the vast majority of the 2024 season, both on game days and throughout the week. And why was Jameis Winston after the game quoting Eminem’s lyric: “you only get one shot”? Winston tried to throw three INTs that were all dropped — the last of which was followed by him pitching a 38-yard touchdown to Cedric Tillman. So it would appear, in his case at least, that he gets more than one.

The Ravens, meanwhile, showed again why they’re the worst team in the NFL at holding a lead. Over the past few seasons they’ve blown more saves than Emmanuel Clase.

The Browns did hold Derrick Henry to 73 yards rushing, his lowest output since week one. And despite Winston making numerous potentially crippling mistakes, he still played far better than Cleveland has seen from a QB all year; that appeared to provide the spark which everyone — except for those making personnel decisions apparently — expected to see with a change at quarterback. So there were some bright spots for the Dawg Pound.

As far as positives for the Ravens, they had three starters out of a five-man secondary and still had multiple chances that could’ve put the game out of reach. Of cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins, neither is on IR; they, and safety Marcus Williams, are expected to be back in the lineup sooner rather than later.

Also, head coach John Harbaugh cut his teeth on special teams and is known for getting those T’s crossed and I’s dotted by playoff time. If Tucker had made the field goal mentioned above, Baltimore would’ve been up by four instead of one when the Browns were driving inside of two minutes to go in the fourth. So rather than defending the 40 yard line, they would’ve been playing defense with the thinking that only a TD breaks their back, and that could’ve changed everything as well.

All in all the game was a soup sandwich of poor execution and failure to capitalize. In a contest neither combatant wanted to win, the Browns were gifted their first W since Week 2 … by a Ravens team that wanted it even less.

—@PoisonPill4