The Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns are regarded as two of the top defensive units in the NFL. With that in mind, it’s surprising that the divisional clash between these two resulted in a high-scoring 33-31 Browns victory. The Ravens blew a 14-point fourth quarter lead and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike described the team’s inability to stop the Browns in the second half as “just shocking.”
The Browns outscored the Ravens 24-14 in the second half to overcome an eight-point first-half deficit. Madubuike and the Ravens defense allowed the Browns to score points on each of their last three drives of the game. Additionally, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson threw an interception midway through the fourth quarter that was returned for a touchdown by Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II.
What worked so well for the Browns down the stretch of the game was their ability to run the ball. They finished the game with 178 rushing yards compared to the Ravens’ 106. Browns running back Jerome Ford single-handedly outgained the Ravens’ backfield, accounting for 107 rushing yards.
The Ravens had opportunities to pull away in this game, but the Browns continued to fight until the very end and gave themselves a chance to steal the game late in the fourth quarter, which they did. This marks the first time the Ravens defense has allowed more than 30 points in a game all season.
Not only did the Ravens uncharacteristically losing this game snap their four-game winning streak, but it also brought the Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers to within one game in the AFC North divisional standings.
