The Ravens’ five-game winning streak ended after a disastrous 29-25 loss to the Browns in Week 8. One of the most significant components of the defeat was Rashod Bateman dropping a wide-open pass on a third down late in regulation.
“No, I saw the ball all the way up to the last minute, and then the ball went directly into the sun,” Bateman said. “I can’t do anything about that, so God just got me on that one, I guess. That’s all I can say.
Hours after the loss and just days before the NFL trade deadline, Baltimore acquired former Panthers and Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer reports that the Ravens entered the mix for Johnson late, and you have to wonder if Sunday’s game played a part in the deal.
While Johnson had been the Panthers’ No. 1 wideout all offseason and into training camp and the regular season, his 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns weren’t enough to entice a team to trade major assets for him. In Baltimore, he will be no better than the third wideout behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, most likely.
Johnson could eventually cede snaps from Nelson Agholor, while Zay Flower has solidified himself as one of the top young pass catchers in the NFL.
If Bateman can be more consistent, Baltimore’s passing game could be lethal down the stretch.
