Recap: Ravens 20, Browns 10
SportsDirect Inc. staff
Dec 28, 2014
Browns 20, Ravens 10: Joe Flacco threw two late touchdown passes as host Baltimore rallied in the fourth quarter to reach the postseason for the sixth time in seven years.
Flacco completed 22-of-36 passes for 312 yards - including 239 after halftime - as the Ravens (10-6) got into the playoffs by virtue of San Diego's loss in Kansas City. Justin Forsett ran for 119 yards and Steve Smith had 90 through the air as Baltimore wrapped up the No. 6 seed and defeated Cleveland for the 13th time in the last 14 meetings.
The Ravens will play at division rival and No. 3 seed Pittsburgh on Saturday night. The teams split two regular-season meetings, each winning at home.
Making his first career start after injuries to previous starters Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel, Connor Shaw was 14-of-28 for 177 yards for the Browns (7-9), who lost their last five games to finish below .500 for the seventh straight time. Terrance West ran for 94 yards and a touchdown for Cleveland.
The Ravens were stuffed from a yard out to end an early drive without points and the teams exchanged field goals in the second quarter to end a sluggish first half tied 3-3. Shaw had an 11-play drive stall out early in the third before later completing a 49-yard pass to Taylor Gabriel to set up West's 2-yard TD plunge to make it 10-3 with 3:29 left in the stanza.
Baltimore pulled to within 10-6 on Justin Tucker's 28-yard field goal with 10:37 left in the game before Flacco and Torrey Smith hooked up on consecutive plays on the Ravens' next possession, first for a 53-yard gain and then a 16-yard go-ahead TD with 7:33 to go. Following a quick punt, Flacco found Kamar Aiken for a 2-yard score and a 20-10 lead with 3:44 remaining, and Lardarius Webb intercepted Shaw moments later to seal it.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Browns played without WR Josh Gordon, who was suspended for missing a team walk-through Saturday. CBS Sports reported that Gordon was among several players at a Friday night party thrown by Manziel, who was fined for being late Saturday. ... Browns DB K'Waun Williams left in the fourth quarter and was being evaluated for a head injury. ... Baltimore has recorded at least 10 wins in nine of the past 15 seasons.
Dec 28, 2014
Browns 20, Ravens 10: Joe Flacco threw two late touchdown passes as host Baltimore rallied in the fourth quarter to reach the postseason for the sixth time in seven years.
Flacco completed 22-of-36 passes for 312 yards - including 239 after halftime - as the Ravens (10-6) got into the playoffs by virtue of San Diego's loss in Kansas City. Justin Forsett ran for 119 yards and Steve Smith had 90 through the air as Baltimore wrapped up the No. 6 seed and defeated Cleveland for the 13th time in the last 14 meetings.
The Ravens will play at division rival and No. 3 seed Pittsburgh on Saturday night. The teams split two regular-season meetings, each winning at home.
Making his first career start after injuries to previous starters Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel, Connor Shaw was 14-of-28 for 177 yards for the Browns (7-9), who lost their last five games to finish below .500 for the seventh straight time. Terrance West ran for 94 yards and a touchdown for Cleveland.
The Ravens were stuffed from a yard out to end an early drive without points and the teams exchanged field goals in the second quarter to end a sluggish first half tied 3-3. Shaw had an 11-play drive stall out early in the third before later completing a 49-yard pass to Taylor Gabriel to set up West's 2-yard TD plunge to make it 10-3 with 3:29 left in the stanza.
Baltimore pulled to within 10-6 on Justin Tucker's 28-yard field goal with 10:37 left in the game before Flacco and Torrey Smith hooked up on consecutive plays on the Ravens' next possession, first for a 53-yard gain and then a 16-yard go-ahead TD with 7:33 to go. Following a quick punt, Flacco found Kamar Aiken for a 2-yard score and a 20-10 lead with 3:44 remaining, and Lardarius Webb intercepted Shaw moments later to seal it.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Browns played without WR Josh Gordon, who was suspended for missing a team walk-through Saturday. CBS Sports reported that Gordon was among several players at a Friday night party thrown by Manziel, who was fined for being late Saturday. ... Browns DB K'Waun Williams left in the fourth quarter and was being evaluated for a head injury. ... Baltimore has recorded at least 10 wins in nine of the past 15 seasons.
