Myles Garrett scored his first career touchdown as the host Cleveland Browns parlayed a big first half into a 24-22 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
The Ravens (8-5) lost more than just game, however.
Former NFL MVP Lamar Jackson sustained a right ankle injury early in the second quarter after he was taken down on a blitz from Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Jackson limped off the field before being carted to the locker room. He was ruled out prior to the start of the third quarter.
Cleveland (7-6) seized a 24-3 lead with 49 seconds left in the first half after Garrett forced a strip-sack on Tyler Huntley, tracked down the loose fumble, and then rumbled 15 yards to the end zone. The sack was Garrett’s 15th on the season, a franchise record.
Baker Mayfield passed for 190 yards and two touchdowns with an interception and Donovan Peoples-Jones had five catches for 90 yards. The Browns snapped a four-game losing streak against the Ravens and gave coach Kevin Stefanski his first win against the division rival.
Jackson was 4-for-4 passing for 17 yards and the Ravens trailed 10-0 when the injury occurred. Huntley led a near comeback attempt in the second half and finished 27 of 38 for 270 yards and a touchdown to tight end Mark Andrews (11 catches, 115 yards). Rashod Bateman added seven catches for 103 yards.
Justin Tucker converted field goals of 50, 42 and 55 yards for the Ravens, who have now dropped consecutive games for the first time this season.
Calais Campbell left the game on the second series with an ankle injury and did not return. Cleveland running back Kareem Hunt sustained an ankle injury late in the first quarter and also did not return.
Chase McLaughlin got Cleveland started with a 43-yard field goal midway through the first quarter. Mayfield connected on touchdown throws to Jarvis Landry and tight end Austin Hooper as the Browns led 17-0 with 8:15 left in the half.
Tucker’s 50-yard field goal got the Ravens on the board, but Garrett’s huge play late in the half helped Cleveland to a 24-6 edge at the break.
Tucker’s third field goal cut the deficit to 24-9 late in the third quarter. Latavius Murray scored on a 1-yard plunge with 8:56 remaining, but the two-point try failed.
Huntley’s 8-yard touchdown to Andrews with 1:17 left cut the deficit to 24-22, and the Ravens recovered the onside kick. But on fourth-and-6, Denzel Ward stopped Batemen three yards short of the line to gain near midfield with 56 seconds left.
–Field Level Media