Baltimore Ravens (12-5) – Cleveland Browns (3-14): 35-10
Aligned with this last regular season match, Lamar Jackson had the opportunity to inflate his statistics and his argument to be elected MVP for the third time in his career, in a few weeks. The opponent, the Cleveland Browns, had all the rest of the expiatory victim, with a duo of quarterbacks Bailey Zappe/Dorian Thompson-Robinson who would not even make the ELF teams green with jealousy.
The defense sets the tone
But, against the Browns, Lamar Jackson very quickly alternated between ease and dilettante. The ease on a laser pass towards Isaiah Likelywithout even seeming to try. And then dilettante, on the same series, by missing the fourth attempt of a risky pass towards Derrick Henry who did not expect to receive the ball. The duality of a player in his hand against a mediocre opponent, but who still seeks to make an impression to make history.
Fortunately, the Ravens were already up 7-0 at this point in the game, thanks to their defense. Nate Wiggins first did not have to exert his talent to intercept a Bailey Zappe who was in great difficulty facing the gusts of wind from Maryland. 26 yards from the goal, no one was able to block his path to a most basic pick-6. From the following series, it was his backfield comrade, Marlon Humphrey, who stood out by stopping Jerry Jeudy on fourth attemptin the Browns' half.
A new record for Lamar Jackson
This was followed by the missed act of Lamar Jackson (16/32, 217 yards, 2 touchdowns, 9 races, 63 yards), who quickly made up for it with his 40th passing touchdown of the season (14-0). On this pass to Mark Andrews, he also crossed the 4,000 yard mark in the air, becoming the first player in history to glean so many passing yards and 800 yards on the ground. A new page in history slightly overshadowed by the knee injury to Zay Flowers, who left the field, causing concern for his entire franchise, a few days before the final stages.
In the absence of Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman (5 receptions, 76 yards, 1 touchdown) took over in the second half, receiving a touchdown after a series of 70 yards (21 -3). Opposite, the Browns attack achieved almost nothing. Symbol of a season to forget or of a Ravens defense that has continued to improve throughout the year. It was only at the start of the fourth quarter that Bailey Zappe (16/31, 170 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions) and company showed signs of life, even reducing the gap with a touchdown of Jordan Akins (21-10).
King Henry celebrates his birthday
A burst of pride forcing John Harbaugh to leave his offensive starters on the field for an additional series. A risk that paid off since Derrick Henry also participated in the party, scoring his 15th touchdown on the ground of the season (28-10). Happy birthday ! And since John Harbaugh finally left his offensive starters on the field for a new series… King Henry (20 races, 138 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 receptions, 23 yards) had fun (35-10).
KING. HENRY. 👑
📺: #CLEvsBAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/IVEuCo53Mm— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025
The game is over, and so is the AFC North division. The Ravens win will be the No. 3 seed in the American Conference during the playoffs. No. 3 as the choice that the Browns will have in the next draft, thanks to this defeat. A choice that could even be higher, depending on the other results of the week.
