Ravens’ 355-pound lineman snags interception to clinch division title in victory vs. Browns
The Baltimore Ravens secured their second straight NFC North title with a dominant victory over the Cleveland Browns, closing out the regular season on a high note. Defensive tackle Michael Pierce made a pivotal play by intercepting his first NFL pass to seal the win against the struggling Browns.
Pierce’s interception came at a crucial moment in the game, with the Browns threatening in the red zone and the Ravens holding a comfortable 35-10 lead. The 355-pound lineman dropped into coverage, positioning himself perfectly to snag a pass from Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. After securing the interception, Pierce stumbled slightly before going down, allowing the Ravens’ offense to run out the clock and secure the division title.
The Ravens, with a record of 12-5, will open the playoffs at home against either the Los Angeles Chargers or the Pittsburgh Steelers. After trailing the Steelers by two games in the division, the Ravens rallied to win their final four games and clinch the top spot.
Cleveland, on the other hand, ended a disappointing season with six consecutive losses, finishing with a record of 3-14. Quarterbacks Bailey Zappe and Thompson-Robinson both struggled to move the ball effectively, with Zappe even having a pass returned for a touchdown by rookie Nate Wiggins.
One cause for concern for the Ravens was the injury to Pro Bowl receiver Zay Flowers, who left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury. However, quarterback Lamar Jackson continued his impressive season by throwing touchdown passes to Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman. Jackson finished the season with 4,172 passing yards, 41 touchdown passes, and just four interceptions, solidifying his case for a third MVP award.
Jackson also made history by becoming the first quarterback to reach 4,000 passing yards with 40 touchdown passes and four or fewer interceptions. Additionally, he finished the season with 915 rushing yards, making him the first player to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for at least 800 in a single season.
In the final moments of the game, Derrick Henry celebrated his 31st birthday by scoring two touchdowns, including a 43-yard run. Henry finished the season with 1,921 rushing yards and a franchise-record 16 rushing touchdowns, capping off an impressive year for the Ravens.
Despite the Browns’ efforts, they were unable to prevent the Ravens from securing the victory. Cleveland has now gone 28 consecutive games without allowing a 300-yard passer, as Jackson finished with 217 passing yards on 16 of 32 attempts.
Overall, the Ravens’ victory over the Browns was a statement win as they head into the playoffs with momentum on their side. The team will look to build on their success and make a deep run in the postseason, buoyed by strong performances from key players like Jackson, Pierce, and Henry.
Sources:
– Fox News Digital
– Associated Press
