The Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens had their rematch this Sunday afternoon. After the Browns lost a close 16-10 battle to the Ravens two weeks ago, they came back strong, especially in the first half of the game, where they went up 24-6 at the break. In the end, Cleveland hung on for dear life and escaped with the 24-22 win.
There were several big moments and players that stepped up in this one for the Browns who had to have the win to stay in the playoff picture for the season. Baker Mayfield came back from the bye week, seemingly rejuvenated and produced two touchdown throws, and played catch with his tight end Austin Hooper in the first half. The two connected on five passes in that first half, mostly on quick passes on first down, and concluded with an early touchdown score and at the time made the score 17-0.
Later in the first half, the Browns defense that played a great first half got their leader defensive end, Myles Garrett, to produce a huge play where he stripped the Baltimore quarterback of the ball and then carried the fumble into the end zone for six points. The sack was also a Brown’s record and now makes Garrett number one on sacks in a single season with 15.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was also injured late in the first half when linebacker Jeremiah Owusu Koramoah tackled Jackson around the ankles. That resulted in Jackson leaving the game with an injury.
With Jackson out of the game, one got the sense that the Browns would be able to keep the Ravens in check. That was the case for most of the contest but by the fourth quarter, the Ravens were able to move the ball a bit better.
The second half of the game was the opposite for the Browns’ offense as they reverted to going back into their snail shell and couldn’t move the ball at all. Fortunately, their defense continued to put pressure on the Ravens’ offense and stopped them when it mattered the most at the end of the game.