Trailing 31-17 with eleven minutes remaining, Deshaun Watson’s Browns staged a magnificent comeback to win in Baltimore.
Baltimore Ravens (7-3) – Cleveland Browns (6-3): 31-33
In this opposition between the Ravens and the Browns, perhaps the two best NFL defenses today, we expected a close match. Instead, we were treated to a prolific match in points and a crazy scenario.
While Baltimore was in the lead the entire game and had a two possession lead in the last quarter, the Browns of Deshaun Watson (20/34 passing, 213 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT, 37 YDS rushing) made a big comeback to win at the very last second! A benchmark victory for Cleveland, which is getting closer to its opponent of the day at the top of the AFC North.
Cleveland taken by the throat
One of the Ravens’ many strengths this season is their ability to start games on the floor. New example against the Browns: on the second action of the match, safety Kyle Hamilton intercepts Deshaun Watson to score a touchdown. The perfect start! Then, on its first drive, the Ravens attack found the end zone thanks to a 39-yard run by rookie Keaton Mitchell. 14-0, just like that.
While the two teams exchanged field goals at the end of the first quarter (17-3), the Browns began to pick up the score in the second. Certainly, behind an offensive line deprived of two starters (tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. and Dawand Jones), Watson is under pressure and in difficulty, but the running game is performing well under the leadership of Jerome Ford (17 races, 107 YDS ). This allows Cleveland to add three points to the scoreboard (17-6).
The Browns defense also does its part to put Lamar Jackson in difficulty (13/23, 223 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT, 41 YDS on the ground), while the special teams block a Justin Tucker field goal at two minutes of halftime. The momentum has changed sides and Cleveland wants to capitalize after a 28-yard reception from Amari Cooper (6 REC, 98 YDS). But the Browns are limited – once again – to one field goal. 17-9 at the break.
The opportunistic Ravens
Returning from the locker room, Cleveland intends to maintain its good momentum but once again, it is the Ravens who start the best. And it’s a former Browns player – Odell Beckham Jr. – who is cooling Cleveland. Faced with a back line decimated by injuries (notably cornerback Denzel Ward), OBJ made a 40-yard reception for the touchdown (24-9).
Given the excellent level of Baltimore’s defense this season, it is difficult to see the attack led by Deshaun Watson getting back into the lead. But the Browns hang on: Cleveland achieves a drive of more than ten minutes and 17 plays, with a running game that weighs and David Njoku (6 REC, 58 YDS) who shines. And, finally, the visitors find the promised land through runner Kareem Hunt (24-17 after a two-point conversion).
Coming back to just one possession, putting more pressure than ever on Lamar Jackson via the inevitable Myles Garrett, the Browns will even have the opportunity to get back together. But after a defensive stop, James Proche II lets the ball slip away on a punt reception. Terrible error which results in a touchdown from Ravens runner Gus Edwards a few plays later (31-17).
A huge finish
With only ten minutes remaining on the clock, it would take quite a turnaround to see Cleveland get back together. But it is precisely at this moment that Deshaun Watson decides to really let loose: he finds Cooper and Njoku for big gains, before serving Elijah Moore (5 REC, 44 YDS, 1 TD) for an express touchdown (31 -24). And then from the next drive, it’s the defense that pulls out all the stops with an interception by Greg Newsome II returned for a touchdown! The Browns have come back to match the Ravens… at least that’s what we think because Cleveland is harvesting the transformation. 31-30.
In this completely crazy end to the match, everything seems possible. And Cleveland will finally have the opportunity to take the lead. After another stop caused by the defensive line, the Browns continue to impose their physical superiority through their attack: the ground game advances, Watson makes the right choices in passing and running, and Cleveland finds itself – almost miraculously – on the opposing 22 yard line with three seconds remaining. The match point is there, it is for kicker Dustin Hopkins.
The kick is up, and… it’s good! 33-31, huge success for Cleveland!
