CLEVELAND -- Time for another chapter in the Cleveland Browns' quarterback saga.
This one involves Austin Davis, signed by the Browns early in the season after he was waived by St. Louis and signed to a contract extension shortly after.
That the Browns lost 33-27 in a mind-boggling manner to the Baltimore Ravens doesn't change the reality that Davis guided a game-tying drive and had the Browns in position to kick a winning field goal on the game's last play on Monday night.
The kick was blocked and returned for a touchdown -- yes, only in Cleveland -- but Davis had the Browns in position to win.
Davis was in the game because Josh McCown left in the fourth quarter with a collarbone injury. While Johnny Manziel watched while wearing a brown jacket, Davis completed all six passes on the tying touchdown drive that ended with a 42-yard throw to Travis Benjamin with 1:47 left. He then moved the Browns to the Ravens' 34, where Travis Coons' field goal attempt turned into a Baltimore win.
Those drives in a clutch time might well be enough to make Davis the 24th quarterback to start a game for the Browns since 1999, should McCown be unable to play.
Manziel had a chance to be the starter in this game, but his actions during the bye weekend led to his demotion to the third team. The Browns held him accountable, and he paid a heavy price. With McCown hurt, the Browns must decide if that violation of trust should have consequences that last more than one game.
If McCown can't play, Davis appears to be in line to get the start in the Browns' next game, with Manziel the backup.
What it means: Every time a struggling Browns team hits a new low, it finds another new low. Monday featured a loss to the Ravens without its starting quarterback and running back, top receiver and three starting offensive linemen. Even the Browns would have a hard time creating the final circumstances for this defeat, though. Very few teams lose a game on a last-play attempt to win with a field goal.
What were they thinking?: There are no issues here with Manziel not playing. The team made him active because of McCown’s past injuries. But when McCown was hurt, it was not time to cave on a decision to make Manziel the third quarterback. If a player is going to be held accountable, he needs to truly be held accountable.
A reason to be excited: Karlos Dansby still has some juice at age 34. His 52-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second half was the second time this season he has scored after picking off a pass. Dansby had a 41-yard touchdown following an interception against Denver.
A reason to be concerned: Once again, the Browns can’t stand success. They took the lead in the third quarter on Dansby's interception return. They squandered that momentum, however, by allowing Matt Schaub to guide a 12-play, 80-yard drive that allowed the Ravens to reclaim the lead 24-20. It’s been a theme for the Browns all season: giving up a lead after earning it.
Ouch: Cornerback Justin Gilbert got his first start of the season but left the game in the third quarter to be checked for a concussion after he was spun around at the end of a kickoff return.