Browns QB Deshaun Watson wins home debut vs. Ravens
The Browns defeated the rival Baltimore Ravens 13-3 on Saturday.
With Cleveland’s playoff chances barely above nonexistent, the team showed fight.
The Browns’ hopes rested on the play of quarterback Deshaun Watson, who prevailed in his home debut after beginning his suspension-delayed season with two road games. Watson finished 18-of-28 passing for 161 yards and a touchdown without an interception for a rating of 91.5 in cold, snowy conditions.
The Ravens, who were tied atop the AFC North with the Cincinnati Bengals, were without starting quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is recovering from a knee injury he suffered Dec. 4 in a win over the Denver Broncos. He did not play in the Ravens’ win at Pittsburgh last Sunday.
Instead, backup Tyler Huntley, who only recently exited concussion protocols, was under center for the Ravens (9-5) against the Browns (6-8).
Here are scoring updates and analysis from the game:
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett helps Cleveland seal victory
The Browns should have led by more late in the game, but rookie Cade York had a field goal blocked and missed another on consecutive possessions.
After York’s miss, the Ravens took possession at their 36-yard line and trailed by 10 points.
Then All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett delivered in the clutch. He sacked Huntley on first down and split a sack with rookie defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey on second down. On fourth-and-13, Huntley’s pass was nearly picked off by cornerback Denzel Ward, but it fell incomplete for a turnover on downs with 3:06 left to play.
Browns defensive tackle Jordan Elliott blocks a Justin Tucker field goal
It’s not common for the Browns to get the best of Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, but Cleveland gave the five-time All-Pro selection fits this time around.
With the Ravens trailing 13-3, Tucker attempted a 50-yard field goal, and Browns defensive tackle Jordan Elliott blocked the kick with his right forearm.
The clutch special-teams play gave the Browns possession at the Baltimore 48 with 14:02 left in the fourth quarter.
Cleveland Browns rookie Cade York misses back-to-back field goals
However, the Browns didn’t take advantage of the block because York had his own mishap at the end of the ensuing series.
York fired a line-drive kick and missed a 38-yard field goal wide left with 10:49 left to play.
The Cleveland defense responded with a stop. Huntley’s pass on fourth-and-4 from the Baltimore 46 was ruled incomplete, resulting in a turnover on downs with 9:30 remaining.