The Cleveland Browns faced the Baltimore Ravens in a critical Week 18 matchup on January 4, 2025. Both teams entered with playoff aspirations, but the Ravens capitalized on home-field advantage to secure a 27-21 victory in a hard-fought game.
Game Recap
The Ravens set the tone early with a 12-play, 80-yard opening drive, culminating in a 5-yard touchdown run by Lamar Jackson. Cleveland responded in the second quarter with a 45-yard touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson to Amari Cooper, tying the game at 7-7.
Baltimore regained the lead with a Justin Tucker field goal and a 20-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Zay Flowers, making it 17-7 at halftime. The Browns clawed their way back in the third quarter, with Nick Chubb scoring on a 10-yard run to narrow the gap to 17-14.
In the fourth quarter, the Ravens extended their lead with a touchdown catch by Mark Andrews. Despite a late Watson-to-David Njoku touchdown, Baltimore’s defense held firm, forcing a turnover on downs in the final minute to seal the win.
Key Performances
- Baltimore Ravens:
- Lamar Jackson: 245 passing yards, 2 TDs; 65 rushing yards, 1 TD.
- Zay Flowers: 6 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD.
- Mark Andrews: 5 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD.
- Cleveland Browns:
- Deshaun Watson: 278 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT.
- Nick Chubb: 98 rushing yards, 1 TD.
- Amari Cooper: 7 receptions, 102 yards, 1 TD.
Statistical Highlights
- Total Yards:
- Ravens: 392
- Browns: 370
- Turnovers:
- Ravens: 1
- Browns: 2
- Third Down Conversions:
- Ravens: 8/14
- Browns: 6/13
Takeaways
- The Ravens solidified their playoff position with a balanced offensive attack and key defensive stops. Jackson’s dual-threat ability and Flowers’ explosive playmaking were instrumental in the win.
- The Browns showed resilience but struggled with turnovers and failed to capitalize on key opportunities in the red zone.
Call-to-Action (CTA):
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