The Baltimore Ravens secured their second consecutive AFC North title in emphatic fashion, routing the Cleveland Browns 35-10 in the Week 18 finale on Saturday. With the win, the Ravens improved to 12-5 and completed a remarkable late-season surge to overtake the Pittsburgh Steelers, who they trailed by two games just a month ago. Baltimore will now host a playoff game against either the Los Angeles Chargers or their divisional rivals, the Steelers.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson delivered another stellar performance, throwing for 217 yards and two touchdowns to cap off a historic season. Jackson’s second-quarter touchdown to tight end Mark Andrews and a third-quarter strike to Rashod Bateman brought his season totals to 4,172 passing yards, 41 touchdown passes, and only four interceptions. He also rushed for 915 yards, making him the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for at least 800 in a single season.
Jackson’s passer rating of 119.6 was the second-highest in NFL history, trailing only Aaron Rodgers’ 122.5 in 2011. His exceptional play has positioned him as a frontrunner for what could be his third MVP award.
Running back Derrick Henry celebrated his 31st birthday with a dominant performance, rushing for 134 yards and two touchdowns. His 2-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter capped a methodical 70-yard drive, and he later broke free for a 43-yard score. Henry finished the season with 1,921 rushing yards and a franchise-record 16 touchdowns, reaffirming his status as one of the league’s premier backs.
The Ravens’ defense set the tone early when rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins intercepted Cleveland’s Bailey Zappe and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown. Baltimore’s defense stifled the Browns all night, holding them to 10 points and forcing two turnovers.
Zappe, starting in place of an injured Deshaun Watson, threw for 170 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown to tight end Jordan Akins in the fourth quarter. However, Cleveland’s offense struggled overall, with both Zappe and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson unable to generate sustained drives.
Despite the convincing win, the Ravens face concerns about the health of star rookie receiver Zay Flowers, who exited in the second quarter with a right knee injury. Flowers has been a key weapon for Baltimore this season, and his availability will be crucial as the team heads into the playoffs.
The Browns ended a dismal 3-14 campaign with their sixth straight loss. A quarterback carousel throughout the season left the offense in disarray, and the finale was no different. Cleveland’s defense, which has now gone 28 consecutive games without allowing a 300-yard passer, provided little consolation as the team struggled in all phases.
Baltimore now turns its attention to the postseason. Depending on Sunday’s results, the Ravens will either face the Chargers in a Harbaugh brothers coaching showdown or renew their rivalry with the Steelers in a high-stakes divisional clash.
For Cleveland, the offseason looms, with the quarterback position once again in flux. The Browns will likely focus on rebuilding through the draft as they seek to end years of instability.
With momentum on their side, the Ravens are poised to make a deep playoff run, led by Jackson, Henry, and a defense firing on all cylinders. The road to the Super Bowl begins at home for Baltimore, where they’ll aim to capitalize on their dominant form.
