Lamar Jackson’s dramatic return allows Ravens to beat Browns, 47-42, in NFL’s game of the year
Lamar #Lamar
Lamar Jackson’s grand reentrance made for the game of the NFL season Monday night in Cleveland.
Jackson, the reigning league MVP for the Baltimore Ravens, left the field and spent much of the fourth quarter in the locker room being treated for cramps. But with backup quarterback Trace McSorley injured, Jackson returned in dramatic fashion to help the Ravens to 13 points in the final two minutes as they beat the Browns, 47-42.
“It was like a scene out of a movie,” Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield said. “I hate that for Trace McSorley. Praying that he’s okay. But as soon as he went down, you could see Lamar trotting on the field. It was like, ‘Jeez.’ He’s a great player. You’re never going to be able to stop guys like that. He’s just a great player.”
Kicker Justin Tucker’s 55-yard field goal with two seconds remaining won it for the Ravens, who pulled virtually even with the Miami Dolphins for the third and final wild-card spot in the AFC with matching 8-5 records. The Ravens added a safety as the Browns went backward on their attempt for a miraculous final-play touchdown.
“I got back to myself,” Jackson said in a postgame interview with ESPN. “I was cramping. I got that right. That’s all help [from] the doctors…. We just came out with the victory.”
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Jackson threw a 44-yard, fourth-and-five touchdown pass to wide receiver Marquise Brown in his first play back. McSorley had injured his left knee while being thrown for a three-yard loss on a third-and-two running play with the Ravens trailing, 35-34. With usual backup quarterback Robert Griffin III on the injured reserve list and unavailable, wide receiver Willie Snead began taking snaps at a potential emergency quarterback. But by then, Jackson said, he already had been intent upon reentering the game.
“I was still coming out no matter what,” he said. “It was crunch time…. We’ve got to keep it going.”
The Ravens added a two-point conversion after the Jackson-to-Brown touchdown. The Browns rushed down the field in 47 seconds to tie the game at 42 with Mayfield’s 22-yard touchdown pass to running back Kareem Hunt and the ensuing extra point. But the Browns left just more than a minute for Jackson, Tucker and the Ravens. That was more than enough time, as it turned out.
“I was cramping,” Jackson said, “and I had to get some IVs in me…. I was trying to come back. I was stretching…. I was getting ticked off because I [saw] it wasn’t going our way.”
Asked what he’d been thinking as he returned to the game, Jackson said: “We’ve got to get it. We’ve got to get it. We put too much into this game and coming back from covid and stuff like that. We can’t see each other how we want to. We just had to come out with a victory.”
An NFL season that has been all about protocols and finding ways to play games amid the pandemic thus produced its signature game and best on-field moment.
“I love these guys…. They have the hearts of lions…. I’m inspired by what I just saw,” Ravens Coach John Harbaugh said.
The Ravens were coming off a 34-17 triumph over the Dallas Cowboys last Tuesday in Baltimore. That was their second straight game that had been rescheduled because of their coronavirus outbreak. But even that game was played despite coronavirus issues, as Ravens wide receiver Dez Bryant was removed from the field during pregame warmups and placed in isolation after testing positive for the virus in a point-of-care test taken at the stadium.
Jackson made his return to the Ravens’ lineup against the Cowboys after missing one game following his own positive test. Jackson played well in the Dallas game, throwing two touchdown passes and running for 94 yards and another touchdown. The Ravens ended a three-game losing streak and amassed 294 rushing yards against the Cowboys, reminding many of their offensive exploits last season.
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They were back at it Monday in Cleveland. The two teams tied an NFL record by combining for nine rushing touchdowns. The Ravens had five of those rushing scores, including two each by Jackson and tailback Gus Edwards. Rookie running back J.K. Dobbins had the other one. Jackson had 124 of the Ravens’ 231 rushing yards against the Browns.
“We knew that going into it: You’re not going to pitch a shutout versus Lamar Jackson,” Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski said in a postgame video news conference. “He’s going to get his. Having said that, there’s a bunch of plays I know we can do better. We have to look at those and make sure that we correct those mistakes.”
Tailback Nick Chubb had two of the Browns’ four rushing touchdowns. Hunt and Mayfield added one each. Mayfield had two touchdown passes but threw a costly interception that set up a Ravens touchdown. The Browns trailed, 34-20, in the fourth quarter before scoring 15 straight points to set up the furious final sequence.
“We never lost our belief in the fact that we had a chance to win that game,” Mayfield said in a video conference with reporters. “Even down two scores, we were continuing to fight, fight for each other…. But I can’t turn the ball over and put us in position where they have easy points.”
The Browns had a four-game winning streak snapped, and they dropped to 9-4. They were swept by the Ravens this season and squandered their chance Monday to pull within a game of the first-place Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North.
“We just have to build on the fact that this team fights,” said Mayfield, who threw for 343 yards on 28-for-47 passing. “I’m really proud of this team for fighting, and that’s what I would take out of it. We just have to be better.”
It was the Ravens, ultimately, who were better Monday night, thanks to the exploits of Jackson. They still trail the Dolphins, based on tiebreakers, for the final AFC playoff berth but have a favorable remaining schedule.
“We’re tough,” Jackson said. “We finished the game, finally. We’ve just got to keep stacking” victories.
11:50 PM: Lamar Jackson returns to lead Ravens to crazy 47-42 win over Browns
Lamar Jackson made a grand reentrance to Monday night’s thrilling game in Cleveland and the Baltimore Ravens continued to repair their season.
Jackson, the reigning league MVP, left the game in the fourth quarter to be treated in the locker room for cramps. But with backup quarterback Trace McSorley hurt, Jackson reentered the game to help the Ravens to 13 points in the final two minutes as they beat the Browns, 47-42, in perhaps the best game of this NFL season.
Kicker Justin Tucker’s 55-yard field goal with two seconds remaining won it for the Ravens, who improved their record to 8-5 and pulled practically even with the Miami Dolphins for the third and final wild-card spot in the AFC. The Ravens added a safety as the Browns went backward on their attempt for a miraculous final-play touchdown.
Jackson had thrown a 44-yard, fourth-down touchdown pass to wide receiver Marquise Brown in his first play back. The Browns rushed down the field in 47 seconds to tie the game at 42 with quarterback Baker Mayfield’s 22-yard touchdown pass to running back Kareem Hunt and the ensuing extra point. But the Browns left just over a minute for Jackson and the Ravens, and that was more than enough.
The Browns’ record dropped to 9-4. The two teams tied an NFL record by combining for nine rushing touchdowns in the game. (Final score: Ravens 47, Browns 42)
By: Mark Maske
11:36 PM: Browns move quickly, tie the game
The Browns needed only 47 seconds to race down the field and get a tying touchdown and extra point. Baker Mayfield threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to running back Kareem Hunt.
The Browns moved so quickly that they’ve left more than a minute for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. (Ravens 42, Browns 42, 1:04 left in the fourth quarter)
By: Mark Maske
11:31 PM: Lamar Jackson re-enters game to throw fourth-down touchdown pass
Lamar Jackson returned to the field and threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marquise Brown on a fourth-and-five play. Trace McSorley had been injured while losing three yards on a third-and-two carry. But Jackson, who had been in the locker room being treated for cramps, reentered the game for the fourth-down play and rolled to his right to make the throw to Brown.
The Ravens added a successful two-point conversion on a J.K. Dobbins run. (Ravens 42, Browns 35, 1:51 left in the fourth quarter)
By: Mark Maske
11:16 PM: Browns take lead on Baker Mayfield’s touchdown scramble
The Browns have the lead. Baker Mayfield ran for a five-yard touchdown on a third-and-goal scramble. The extra point became even more interesting after a delay-of-game penalty, but kicker Cody Parkey connected. He had missed an earlier extra point and field goal attempt. (Browns 35, Ravens 34, 6:33 left in the fourth quarter)
By: Mark Maske
11:06 PM: Lamar Jackson in locker room, Trace McSorley at QB
Trace McSorley took over at quarterback for the Ravens with Lamar Jackson in the locker room being treated for cramps. The Ravens called Jackson questionable to return. The Ravens went three plays and out and punted, as wide receiver Marquise Browns dropped a third-down pass. (Ravens 34, Browns 28, 12:46 left in the fourth quarter)
By: Mark Maske
11:05 PM: Baker Mayfield throws fourth-down touchdown pass, Browns add two-point conversion
Baker Mayfield threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Rashard Higgins on a fourth-and-four play to keep the Browns in the game. Mayfield moved around to elude the pass rush and found Higgins open in the end zone. It was the second fourth-and-four conversion for the Browns on the drive. They also used a successful instant replay challenge to have the Ravens penalized for having too many players on the field.
The Browns, down by eight points, added a two-point conversion on a deflected-pass completion. (Ravens 34, Browns 28, 13:36 left in the fourth quarter)
By: Mark Maske
10:43 PM: Ravens get another rushing touchdown, set up by interception
An interception thrown by the Browns’ Baker Mayfield set up the Ravens’ fifth rushing touchdown of the night. Tailback J.K. Dobbins scored from one yard away.
Linebacker Tyus Bowser had dropped into coverage and intercepted a throw by Mayfield, following with a 17-yard return to the Cleveland 1-yard line. The Browns blocked the extra point by Ravens kicker Justin Tucker. (Ravens 34, Browns 20, 4:21 left in the third quarter)
By: Mark Maske
10:29 PM: Browns reply with Kareem Hunt’s touchdown run
The Browns regrouped quickly to respond with a five-yard touchdown run by tailback Kareem Hunt. Baker Mayfield had a 26-yard completion to Hunt along the way.
Browns kicker Cody Parkey missed the extra point, after missing a 39-yard field goal attempt earlier in the game. This game has had seven touchdowns, all on the ground. (Ravens 28, Browns 20, 9:06 left in the third quarter)
By: Mark Maske
10:15 PM: Ravens continue to run over Browns, extend lead
The Browns cannot stop the Ravens’ running game. The Ravens extended their lead with a 19-yard touchdown run by tailback Gus Edwards, who broke a tackle in the middle of the Cleveland defense, then cut to his left and reached the end zone.
The touchdown was set up by a 44-yard run by Lamar Jackson, who is doing better after a change of cleats. The Ravens have 198 rushing yards, including 122 by Jackson. Edwards and Jackson have two rushing touchdowns apiece. (Ravens 28, Browns 14, 12:47 left in the third quarter)
By: Mark Maske
10:02 PM: Ravens lead Browns, 21-14, at halftime in Cleveland
The Ravens lead the Browns, 21-14, following an entertaining first half in Cleveland in a “Monday Night Football” matchup of AFC North playoff contenders.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson ran for 78 yards and two touchdowns for the Ravens. Jackson slipped on the turf several times early in the game, then appeared to make a change of cleats. He threw only six passes in the half and had three completions for 53 yards. But he did have a 39-yard completion to tight end Mark Andrews to set up his 17-yard touchdown scramble in the final minute of the first half.
The Ravens had 134 rushing yards in the half. All three of their touchdowns were on the ground. Tailback Gus Edwards also had a rushing touchdown.
Tailback Nick Chubb had two rushing touchdowns for Cleveland. The Browns made a more concerted effort to establish a passing game. But quarterback Baker Mayfield struggled to a 12-for-23, 134-yard half. (Ravens 21, Browns 14 at halftime)
By: Mark Maske
9:52 PM: Ravens reclaim lead on Lamar Jackson’s touchdown scramble
Lamar Jackson, apparently after changing cleats following his earlier issues with slipping on the turf, made big plays on consecutive snaps and the Ravens have the lead in the final minute of the first half. Jackson scored a touchdown on a 17-yard scramble.
On the previous play, he moved around in the pocket and found tight end Mark Andrews for a 39-yard catch and run. It was the second rushing touchdown of the night for Jackson. He has 78 of the Ravens’ 134 rushing yards. (Ravens 21, Browns 14, 0:30 left in the second quarter)
By: Mark Maske
9:29 PM: Browns tie game on Nick Chubb’s second touchdown
The Browns pulled even on tailback Nick Chubb’s second touchdown run of the half, this time covering 14 yards. He went practically untouched through the middle of the Baltimore defense.
Baker Mayfield’s 37-yard completion to wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones on a deep sideline route gave the Browns a first down at the Baltimore 22-yard line. Chubb took it from there, with an eight-yard run before the touchdown dash. (Ravens 14, Browns 14, 4:16 left in the second quarter)
By: Mark Maske
9:23 PM: Ravens take lead on touchdown run by Gus Edwards
The Ravens have the lead on an 11-yard touchdown run by tailback Gus Edwards. The Ravens are getting it done on the ground. They have 111 rushing yards — 61 of them by Lamar Jackson, who has only 14 passing yards.
Jackson had a 20-yard run on an option-play keeper to set up the touchdown. Browns defensive end Myles Garrett left the field during the Baltimore drive with an injury to his right elbow. The Browns called him probable to return to the game. (Ravens 14, Browns 7, 7:49 left in the second quarter)
By: Mark Maske
9:01 PM: Cody Parkey misses field goal for Browns
The Browns had another nice drive, aided by Baltimore’s defensive penalties, but Cody Parkey missed a 39-yard field goal attempt on the opening play of the second quarter by pulling the kick wide left.
Coach Kevin Stefanski initially left his offense on the field on fourth and eight from the Baltimore 21-yard line in the final seconds of the first quarter. But the clock ran out, the quarter ended and Stefanski opted for the ill-fated field goal try to open the second quarter.
The Browns converted on fourth and four earlier on the drive on a defensive pass interference penalty on Baltimore’s Jimmy Smith. The Ravens had another interference call and a roughing-the-passer penalty on the drive. Wide receiver Jarvis Landry recovered his own fumble after a catch. (Ravens 7, Browns 7, 14:56 left in the second quarter)
By: Mark Maske
8:42 PM: Ravens get even on Lamar Jackson rushing touchdown
The Ravens answered the Browns’ opening-drive touchdown with one of their own. Lamar Jackson scored on a five-yard quarterback keeper. He had 31 rushing yards on the drive.
Browns cornerback M.J. Stewart helped out with a holding penalty and a pass interference penalty. The interference call came when Stewart tackled wide receiver Marquise Brown before the ball arrived on a deep pattern. (Ravens 7, Browns 7, 3:04 left in the first quarter)
By: Mark Maske
8:35 PM: Browns grab early lead on Nick Chubb’s touchdown run
The Browns are off to a great start with an opening-drive touchdown. Tailback Nick Chubb reached the end zone on a seven-yard run. Chubb took a handoff, veered to his left, cut back to his right and found a seam through the middle of the Baltimore defense.
The Browns moved 81 yards in 11 plays. Baker Mayfield had an early 20-yard completion to tight end David Njoku. A third-and-four screen pass to running back Kareem Hunt got the Browns 10 yards and a first down. They utilized a gadget play, with a lateral to wide receiver Jarvis Landry and then a throw back across the field to Chubb, for a 12-yard gain. Wideout Rashard Higgins fumbled on two straight plays after catches. But he recovered the first fumble and the ball went out of bounds on the second. (Browns 7, Ravens 0, 9:06 left in the first quarter)
By: Mark Maske
7:31 PM: What to watch for during Monday night’s Ravens-Browns matchup
The Ravens will try to continue to repair their season when they face the Browns in Cleveland in a matchup with playoff implications for both AFC North teams.
The Ravens are coming off a 34-17 triumph over the Dallas Cowboys last Tuesday in Baltimore. That was their second straight game that had been rescheduled because of their coronavirus outbreak. But even that game was played amid coronavirus issues, as Ravens wide receiver Dez Bryant was removed from the field during pregame warm-ups and placed in isolation after testing positive for the virus in a point-of-care test taken at the stadium.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson, the reigning league MVP, made his return to the Ravens’ lineup against the Cowboys after missing one game following his own positive test for the coronavirus. Jackson played well in the Dallas game, throwing two touchdown passes and running for 94 yards and another touchdown. The Ravens ended a three-game losing streak and amassed 294 rushing yards against the Cowboys, reminding many of their offensive exploits last season. Offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. declared following a late-game touchdown that it was “Easy money!”
This game is unlikely to be as stress-free. The Browns are on a four-game winning streak that has upped their record to 9-3. A victory in this game would get Cleveland to within one game of the first-place Pittsburgh Steelers, who are now 11-2 and on a two-game losing skid. The Ravens, at 7-5, currently are outside the AFC playoffs, looking in. They trail the 8-5 Miami Dolphins for the third and final wild-card spot. But the Ravens’ schedule is favorable down the stretch with matchups, following this game, with the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals.
The Browns are seeking to avenge a 38-6 loss at Baltimore in the season opener. They’ve come a long way since then under their first-year head coach, Kevin Stefanski. They’re tied for second in the NFL in rushing offense (one spot behind the Ravens) and will split the carries at tailback between Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. The offense has not suffered since the loss of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to a season-ending knee injury. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has 21 touchdown passes and seven interceptions and is the league’s 11th-rated passer.
Defensive end Myles Garrett is tied for third in the NFL with his 10.5 sacks, two behind league leader Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams.
By: Mark Maske