What an absolutely mind-boggling game. The Baltimore Ravens (8-5) escaped from Ohio with a win after beating the Cleveland Browns (9-4) in the game of the season. Of course, the biggest storyline was the return of Lamar Jackson during the second to last drive of the game to lead his team to a 47-42 victory over their divisional rival.
Throughout the first half, it looked like Baltimore had it in the bag. Jackson ran in for a pair of touchdowns, and Gus Edwards also powered his way to pay dirt to put the Ravens up 21-14 at halftime. Meanwhile, Browns running back Nick Chubb provided two rushing touchdowns in the first half for Cleveland. Thus, setting the stage for one of the best-combined rushing performances of all time. Baker Mayfield made a few throws during the first half. Still, for the most part, he was working in the system and handing the rock off to Chubb and Kareem Hunt, who combined for 123 rushing yards and three touchdowns this game.
Here is more about the historical rushing performance between these two teams. First, Jackson ran for 124 rushing yards on his own, followed by J.K. Dobbins and Edwards, who ran for 53 and 49 yards, respectively. Not only this, but the Ravens totaled five rushing touchdowns throughout the game paired with Cleveland’s four. Nine combined rushing touchdowns tied an NFL record set all the way back in 1922 by Rock Island and Evansville, then followed by Racine and Louisville.
However, things got interesting in the fourth quarter. The Browns were down 34-20 going into the fourth quarter, and all hope may have seem lost for Browns fans. However, just two minutes into the quarter, Mayfield found Rashard Higgins for the 21-yard score. The Browns were then able to convert on the two-point conversion making it just a six-point deficit.
Then things got really interesting. Jackson was listed as questionable to return with cramps as the Ravens were attempting to defend their lead. Unfortunately, the offense didn’t run as smoothly with Trace McSorely at quarterback, and the Ravens went three and out. Cleveland capitalizes and took a 35-34 lead off of a Mayfield rushing touchdown. Then, like a real superhero, Jackson comes trotting back onto the field late in the next drive after a Baltimore timeout. He then throws a dime to Marquise Brown for the go-ahead touchdown, and Dobbins converted the two-point conversion.
However, Cleveland manages to convert again, with Mayfield finding Hunt for 22 yards and the score to tie the game at 42. But, kickers are always undervalued until you need them. Ravens kicker Justin Tucker lined up to kick a 55-yard field goal with just seconds left. Tucker, without a doubt, nailed it and left Browns fans disappointed and, in sports betting, gave us one of the worst beats of the season after the Ravens forced a safety during a series of lateral throws.
Highlights
.@bakermayfield finds @CALLME_WOOD for SIX!
📺: https://t.co/auJgZw1LIo pic.twitter.com/07k57zDseY
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 15, 2020
Mayfield steps up and delivers a dime to Higgins.
THIS. GAME.@Kareemhunt7 dives for the pylon and he’s IN for the touchdown!
📺: https://t.co/auJgZw1LIo pic.twitter.com/DdpsUbh15x
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 15, 2020
Mayfield finds Hunt late in the game for the score.
LET’S
FREAKING
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Tune in: https://t.co/duomvuhT6t pic.twitter.com/fnjDgSOSlk
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 15, 2020
Jackson throws a dime to Brown for the go-ahead touchdown.
INSTANT CLASSIC 🔥
Back Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS pic.twitter.com/q4N8PvkaPB
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 15, 2020
Tucker nails the game-winning field goal.
Defense perhaps could be something to address for both of these teams moving forward. Too often, defenders were caught slipping out of their gaps or getting beat in coverage on both sides. The Ravens need to find the pass rush as they got close to Baker all night but failed to capitalize when they needed to. For Cleveland, they were able to bring down Jackson a handful of times. Still, too often, the secondary in the passing game or second level in the run game let their defense down. Both teams remained healthy for the most part and, of course, have two of the most electrifying offenses in the NFL right now.
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
