Cleveland Browns Stay In It With Win Over Baltimore In Jason Campbell’s Second Start

The Cleveland Browns decision to start Jason Campbell at quarterback paid off in a 24-18 win over the Baltimore Ravens Sunday.

With the win, the Browns improved to 4-5 headed into their bye week and kept their playoff hopes alive for the time being. Campbell, who got the nod in favor of embattled Cleveland QB Brandon Weeden, completed 23 of 35 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns. Campbell briefly left the game with a rib injury after being sacked late in the first quarter, bringing Weeden off the Browns bench, but returned on the next Cleveland possession to finish the game. Baltimore defender Haloti Ngata was penalized for unnecessary roughness on the play after tripping over his teammate and landing on the Cleveland QB. Ngata apologized after the Browns win and Campbell recognized the error.

“He’s not a dirty player,” Campbell said of Ngata. “He’s a really good, stand-up football player.”

Cleveland Browns coach Rob Chudzinski has made it clear he’s all about the win and is approaching the QB situation on a game-by-game basis. Nonetheless, he was pleased with how his Browns were able to execute his strategy against the faltering Ravens.

“I felt good about what we had game-plan wise to be able to score,” Browns coach Rob Chudzinski said. “I think it was important in this game for our guys to have the mentality to play to win.”

Campbell is expected to undergo a thorough examination by the Cleveland medical staff; results from x-rays should be announced Monday. His health remains a concern for Browns fans, who’ve already lost Brian Hoyer for the season with a torn ACL. What would Cleveland do if they lost Campbell, with Weeden the only other QB on the Browns active roster? Tim Tebow has reportedly been scrubbed from the Cleveland QB conversation, so who’s available to take snaps, whether starting or behind Weeden, should the Browns lose Campbell as well?

What do the Cleveland Browns need to do to prepare for their game with the Cincinnati Bengals? Is Jason Campbell the answer for Cleveland under center? What quarterback should the Browns pursue if Campbell can’t stay healthy?