Baltimore ensured it finished first in its division for the second year in a row by beating the Cleveland Browns 35-10 on Saturday.
Considered a potential MVP this season, Lamar Jackson made NFL history by becoming the first quarterback to amass 4,000 passing yards and 800 rushing yards in a campaign. It is also the first time that a player has totaled 40 touchdown passes, including 2 today, and 800 yards rushing.
Derrick Henry also set an extraordinary mark on his 31st birthday. He earned a $500,000 bonus when he scored his 15th rushing touchdown of the season, all in his first year in Baltimore. King Henry added more 3 minutes from the end of the game by once again making his way into the end zone.
All is far from rosy in Baltimore though, as Zay Flowers left the game in the second quarter after injuring his knee after making a catch. He was tackled along the sidelines and clutched his right knee. He had just been named to the Pro Bowl.
On the other hand, Cleveland is in a heated battle for the first overall pick in the 2025 draft. The club scored its first touchdown in 24 offensive streaks tonight.
Jackson accomplished the feat on a touchdown pass to Mark Andrews that made it 14-0 in the second quarter.
In the previous quarter, rookie Nate Wiggins opened the scoring by returning an interception for a touchdown after catching the pass that Bailey Zappe had intended for Elijah Moore. It was Wiggins’ first career interception.
Cleveland finally got on the board before halftime on a yard field goal.
Coming back from the break, Jackson connected with Rashod Bateman to extend the lead to 21-3.
The Browns were finally able to celebrate a touchdown in the last quarter shortly after a missed chance from Jamari Thrash on a pass deemed incomplete on video replay. Regardless, the Browns continued to fight and this time Jordan Akins was able to score.
The Ravens, however, responded quickly to keep their distance. On second down and the goals, Derrick Henry crossed the line for the first time at 6:44 remaining in the game, before giving it back.
At 6 feet and 360 pounds, defensive tackle Michael Pierce also animated the home crowd with an interception at the expense of Zappe late in the game.
